Howard County Man Arrested for Illegal Off-Road Riding, Assaulting Officer

A Howard County man has been charged with illegal dirt bike riding at a state park, assaulting a police officer, providing false information and resisting arrest, the Maryland Natural Resources Police said.

Gary Lee Lehnhoff III, 29, of Marriottsville, was arrested Saturday by officers on patrol in Patapsco Valley State Park, where all-terrain vehicle use is prohibited.

Lehnhoff was one of four riders stopped at about 7:30 p.m. in the McKeldin area of the park. One rider bolted and Lehnhoff attempted to do the same, in the process pinning an officer’s leg between his bike and her all-terrain patrol vehicle.

Officers were able to stop Lehnhoff and get him off his bike. He screamed obscenities at the officers and, when asked for identification, gave them someone else’s identity. When he was confronted with the deception, he shoved the officers and ran away.

As a pursuing officer closed in, Lehnhoff turned and charged him with clenched fists, ignoring multiple orders to stop. The officer drew his service weapon and Lehnhoff finally surrendered.

He was taken to Howard County Central Booking, where he was held on $10,000 bond. His dirt bike was impounded. Charges are pending against two other riders.

The officer struck by the dirt bike suffered minor injuries to her knee and leg.

Lehnhoff is scheduled to appear in Howard District Court on June 7.

Park visitors who witness illegal off-road vehicle use are urged to call rangers or the Natural Resources Police using the numbers posted on all bulletin boards. Feedback from trail users can be used by officers to address problem areas