Arrest after shots, chase, in Md.

A man exchanged gunfire with a Takoma Park police officer and briefly took a bystander hostage before being apprehended Thursday, officials said. No one was hit by bullets and no one was injured, police said.

Montgomery County detectives were preparing to charge the man, who possibly was carrying marijuana and crack cocaine. His name was not immediately released because he had not yet been charged. He is believed to be about 27 years old.

Late Thursday morning, the officer spotted a speeding black Chevrolet Camaro in the area of Sligo Creek Parkway and Houston Avenue, said Lucille Baur, a Montgomery County police spokeswoman. The driver almost hit two pedestrians, Baur said.

The officer, a 10-year veteran of the city of Takoma Park's police force, tried to stop the Camaro, which sped away, leading to a pursuit. The car hit a pole, and the driver bailed out in the parking lot of East Silver Spring Elementary School, police said. No one else was in the car. He ran, and the officer ran after him.

The chase led to a parking lot at the Thayer Terrace Apartments, in Silver Spring. There, the suspect produced a gun and exchanged shots with the officer, Baur said.

A man exited the apartment building, and was grabbed by the suspect, Baur said. The officer told him to let the man go, and he complied, Baur said.

More details are expected to be released.