Baltimore City Officer Arrested After Leading Troopers On Chase

ROSEDALE, Md. (WJZ) -- Nearly 150 miles-per-hour. That's the top speed investigators say an off-duty city police sergeant reached in a high-speed chase with state troopers.

Now he is off the job, facing multiple criminal charges.

Meghan McCorkell with details of the arrest.

Police say Sergeant Francisco Hopkins was upset about getting a traffic ticket, so he sped off at dangerous speeds.

Flying down Route 40 at up to 149 miles-per-hour.

"He is lucky to be able to get out of the car and walk," said Crystal Jones.

Behind the wheel investigators say was an off-duty Baltimore City police officer.

"I have two kids in the car currently. The last thing I want is anyone driving like that, especially an officer who should know better," said Sheila Corey.

State police say Sergeant Francisco Hopkins was pulled over in his 2015 Ford Mustang for minor traffic violations around 3 a.m. New Year's Day.

He indicated he was a cop to the state trooper, who gave him a ticket anyway.

That's when police say Hopkins spun out his tires and peeled off, leading the trooper on a high-speed chase in Rosedale.

"This driver was driving in excess of 100 miles-per-hour and other vehicles were moving out of his way. So obviously, it was very dangerous. No matter where you are, it's dangerous," said Elena Russo, Maryland State Police.

Hopkins was eventually pulled over and taken into custody.

The arrest happened just a few miles from Sergeant Hopkins' listed address in Middle River.

We tried to get Hopkins' side of the story, but he wasn't home.

In a statement to WJZ, Baltimore City Police Commissioner Kevin Davis is aware of the incident, saying: "Needless to say, I'm disappointed in the reported actions of this officer."

Hopkins has now been suspended with pay pending the investigation.

Sergeant Hopkins has been released on $10,000 bond.

Hopkins has worked for city police since 2008. He is assigned to the Southwest District.