A defendant who is facing new weapons charges after allegedly attempting to flee police appeared in a reception court hearing before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K.Copeland for a hearing on Sept. 2.
Ranell Little, 21, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after conviction of a crime of violence, unlawful transportation of a handgun, reckless endangerment, firing or discharging a handgun or pistol and illegal possession of ammunition for his alleged involvement in a police chase that occurred on July 8 at around 10 p.m.
According to court documents, Baltimore Police Department (BPD) detectives on patrol on the unit block of Light Street in downtown Baltimore spotted Little as a suspect with an outstanding warrant for failure to appear.
Then police say, Little fled on foot, got on a bicycle and tried to escape with officers giving chase. During the pursuit down Light Street police say they noticed Little “appearing to secure or stabilize a heavy object,” that they believed was a gun in his waistband. Subsequently Little reportedly fired a shot though there were no reported injuries.
As the event unfolded, Little arrived on a side street near the Hyatt Regency hotel and was ultimately captured on the 300 block of Charles Street..
After retracing their steps detectives found a shell along with a revolver with seven cartridges. Police say they found a circular burn mark on the left pocket area of Little’s sweatshirt, which was later found to be gunpowder.
During the hearing, Judge Copeland inquired whether Little had retained an attorney and he responded that he had not. The judge replied that if he cannot afford an attorney he can request an attorney from the Public Defender Service. Little agreed and acknowledged that he understood the judge’s explanation of the case and the charges against him.
An additional complication is that, according to the judge, Little has another case pending which the judge said might be resolved globally. However, no plea deal was mentioned during the proceedings, nor the question of bail.
The next hearing in the case is sent for Oct. 24.
