Harford County Inmate Attempts To Strangle Officer With Phone

HARFORD COUNTY - Officials say a Harford County Detention Center inmate has been charged with attempted murder after he assaulted a correctional deputy on Sunday night.

According to a press release, Harford County Sheriff’s Cpl. Michael Vesek was supervising 38-year-old inmate Matthew Tingler at 8:00 p.m. Sunday while Tingler made a phone call.

At some point during the phone call, Tingler became agitated and started hitting Vesek with the phone. Vesek was struck in the face multiple times and fell to the ground. As he was on the floor, Tingler continued striking him with the phone and a portable radio, officials said.

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office said that Tingler proceeded to wrap the phone cord around Vesek’s neck in an attempt to strangle the partially conscious deputy.

Nearby deputies were able to hear Vesek yelling for help and regained control of Tingler and the situation.

The sheriff’s office said that Vesek was taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center for treatment and was released on Monday.

Tingler had been at the detention center since November 15 on charges of burglary, robbery, and assault. He now faces additional charges of second-degree murder, assault, and reckless endangerment.

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.