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Armed robbery suspect in Dundalk shootout identified

Posted at 11:36 AM, Jun 08, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-09 06:33:27-04

Baltimore County Police have identified the armed robbery suspect who shot an officer in Dundalk Wednesday afternoon.

Blaine Robert Erb, 35, of the unit block of Alberge Lane in Middle River died at the scene. An officer and a civilian were wounded after the shootout that took place on an MTA bus.

Police said officers surrounded the bus after Erb tried to use it to get away from the scene of an armed robbery near Logan Village Shopping Center in the 3400 block of Dundalk Avenue. Officers received reports that a male suspect had approached and robbed two people at gunpoint. He then fled the scene onto an MTA bus.

"This was like watching a horror movie in my backyard. This is the equivalent of watching a scary movie in our backyard," Crystal Pearce, a neighbor, said.

Pearce and her young son walk along Dundalk Avenue regularly. She was driving toward the pandemonium yesterday when she eventually turned around.

"It kind of makes me want to rethink where I take my kids when I take my kids. Because, now, this thing can happen anytime, anywhere and that's what's really scary to me," Pearce said.

RELATED: Witness: I watched him die from my front porch

Department spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Peach said at a news conference that Erb fired shots from the bus at officers, and the officers shot back.

Authorities said the injured officer was shot in her leg and remains hospitalized at Shock Trauma in serious condition.

Police said the 21-year-old wounded civilian, of the 5000 block of Queensberry Avenue in Baltimore, suffered a gunshot wound to the lower body and is expected to survive.

Two .40 caliber semi-automatic handguns were located next to the Erb's body, as well as numerous gun magazines and ammunition, police said. The guns haven't been reported stolen but detectives are still investigating the last known registered owner.

Erb is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms due to a prior armed robbery conviction, according to police. Erb had "a lengthy criminal history in Maryland and neighboring states," police said, with charges for robbery, assault, weapon violations and theft. He also had an open warrant in Pennsylvania.

Five civilians were on the bus at the time of the incident, but detectives are investigating to determine if there were more.

See also: Police officer in serious condition following shootout in Dundalk

Four officers fired at the suspect and have been placed on routine administrative leave. Their names aren't being released at this time. At least one officer wore a body camera during the incident, according to police. That footage isn't being released at this time.