Suspect in Robberies Attempts Suicide in Southern District Holding Cell

Working on a tip about an attempted hanging at the Southern District holding cell on Wednesday afternoon, Anne Arundel County Police spokesman Lt. Michael Brothers confirmed that a suspect in custody attempted suicide. The man is identified as Ronald Lee Harden, 42, of Annapolis. Harden remains in police custody at Anne Arundel Medical Center where he is undergoing treatment.

Harden was wanted by police after being identified by his vehicle as a suspect in a Wednesday 2 a.m. armed robbery of the CVS store on Riva Road and robbery of the TJ Maxx store in Riva Festival.

In the early morning hours, Anne Arundel County Police and Maryland State Police pursued Harden eastbound on Route 50 to St. Margerets where Harden’s car became disabled. He left his vehicle and evaded police on foot.

The evidence from the two robberies was recovered in the disabled vehicle he left behind.

Police were on the lookout for Harden throughout the day on Wednesday. Officers found him in the afternoon near a shopping center on Route 2 at Forest Drive. A police report said that he was taken into custody after a brief foot chase.

Harden was then taken to the Anne Arundel County Police Southern District station in Edgewater and placed in the holding cell.

Brothers said that one of the officers went to the cell to check on Harden. There, he was found on the floor.

“He had his shirt around his neck. Officers got the door open. He was unconscious,” Brothers said.

Brothers said that Harden was breathing, so police did not have to revive him.

Anne Arundel County Fire Chief Michael Cox said that the fire department got a call for an unconscious person in a cell. Cox said that the patient was transported to AAMC.

Brothers said that Harden is being guarded while at the hospital by Anne Arundel County Police.