West Virginia couple charged after chase

A Harpers Ferry, W.Va., couple face traffic and drug charges after being chased by Frederick County sheriff’s deputies in the Middletown area.

Terri Lynn Straub, 48, is charged with reckless driving, eluding law enforcement and other traffic offenses, as well as possession of marijuana. Benjamin Adam Mock Jr., 54, is charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, according to charging documents filed in Frederick County District Court.

After seeing a Chevrolet Cavalier operating with only one headlight, Deputy First Class Jacob Marquis attempted to pull it over at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday as it turned from U.S. 40 on to Harmony Road.

The car continued on Harmony Road until Straub finally pulled over near the I-70 bridge. But when Marquis went over to the car, Straub looked over at Mock before speeding off, the documents state.

Marquis chased the car south on Md. 17 toward Middletown. According to the documents, Straub passed cars on the double yellow line, forcing several drivers to veer off the road to avoid a crash.

A deputy set up stop sticks on Md. 17 just past Pete Wiles Road, and Straub struck the sticks but continued driving into Middletown, where she pulled over in the 200 block of South Church Street after her tires deflated, the documents state. Mock opened the door and was getting out of the car, and Marquis drew his weapon and ordered Mock to the ground, the documents state.

After the two were handcuffed, Marquis went to get Straub’s license rom her purse, where she said she kept it, the documents state. The license was suspended and revoked.

According to the documents, he also found marijuana and an envelope of cash in the purse.

A further search of the car revealed more marijuana, a wooden smoking pipe and prescription drugs.

Marquis also learned that the license plates on the car belonged to another vehicle, and that the car had no plates registered to it.

Straub, who also had a warrant in Washington County, was being held Friday at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center in lieu of $12,000 bail. Mock was being held in lieu of $3,000 bail.

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