Baltimore Officer Convicted of Assault in Cruiser Chase
Officer Robert Parks Convicted on Lesser Charges in Viral Baltimore Chase
A Baltimore City police officer accused of using his patrol vehicle to chase and strike a man has been convicted on several charges stemming from an October 2025 incident.
CBS Baltimore reports that Officer Robert Parks was found guilty Thursday of second-degree assault, three counts of misconduct in office and reckless driving. He was acquitted of attempted murder and first-degree assault.
Parks is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 12, 2027.
The case centered on a viral video showing Parks pursuing a man in a marked police cruiser along Wylie Avenue. According to testimony, Parks was patrolling the area when he ordered a group outside Wylie Liquors Bar to leave. He later recognized one man as someone with an outstanding warrant.
Body-worn camera footage played in court captured Parks telling the man to come with him. When the man refused and walked away, Parks got into his cruiser and began pursuing him.
Prosecutors said Parks eventually struck the man with the vehicle before crashing through a fence on Sumter Avenue.
The judge said the evidence did not prove Parks intended to kill the man but concluded the cruiser made contact with him. She described Parks’ actions as “retaliatory force” and ruled that the use of force was unreasonable.
The judge also found that Parks violated Baltimore Police Department policies involving use of force, de-escalation and emergency vehicle operations.
During testimony, Parks said he believed the man may have been armed based on his posture, though he acknowledged he never saw a weapon.
Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates said Parks’ conduct endangered both the victim and the public. His office plans to place Parks on its Do Not Call List following the convictions.
