Man with flat tire in stolen car accused of stealing passerby's car and crashing it

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (TCD) --

A man was arrested after asking for help with a flat tire in what was actually a stolen car, then allegedly stealing the car of the people who pulled over.

The Montgomery County Police Department said in the early hours of March 10, officers were on route to a service call when they heard what sounded like a vehicle collision on Layhill Road and the Interconnector Highway. When they arrived, they saw three men standing around a Toyota RAV4, which had been crashed. Officers identified the men as Shamari Reid, 21, and Tykel Wilson, 19. They did not identify the third male because he was not charged with any crimes.

Police explained in a statement that Reid and a friend were driving down Layhill Road in the Toyota when they saw Wilson trying the change the flat tire on a Mitsubishi Lancer. The two men got out of the car and offered to help Wilson with the flat.

Wilson then allegedly stole the RAV4 as Reid and his friend fixed the tire. The two men chased Wilson on foot, who drove the SUV in reverse. He then reportedly crashed the car into a curb and it became "inoperable."

Officers learned Wilson's Lancer had been stolen out of Prince George's County. Wilson allegedly told cops Reid pointed a gun at him after he crashed the Toyota. Police discovered a loaded handgun near the scene.

According to police, both Wilson and Reid had active warrants out for their arrest, with Wilson's warrant from Washington, D.C., and Reid's from Worcester County in Maryland.

Wilson was charged with motor vehicle theft offenses and Reid with illegal possession of a handgun. Reid was released from jail after posting a $5,000 bail and Wilson posted a $3,000 bail.

MORE: