A Harford County Sheriff’s deputy who was injured in a Tuesday morning attempted theft at a Royal Farms that resulted in one arrest has been released from the hospital and has returned to service, according to a news release from sheriff’s office.

The deputy was conducting a routine patrol around 12:08 a.m. Tuesday when employees of the store in the 500 block of Joppa Farm Road in Joppatowne, flagged down the deputy to report a theft in progress, the Wednesday release said.

Upon entering the Royal Farms, police said, the deputy observed two suspects behind the counter attempting to steal cigarettes.

Both suspects failed to comply with the deputy’s commands which led to a physical altercation, police said.

According to police, one suspect managed to flee during the altercation while the other suspect, identified as 25-year-old Justin Corey Cotten, of Reisterstown, assaulted the deputy before also fleeing on foot.

The deputy suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital, where he was treated, police said.

Following the altercation, an extensive search was conducted with the assistance of the Harford County Sheriff’s K-9 unit and the Maryland State Police Aviation Command — resulting in the apprehension of Cotten, according to police.

Police said Cotten faces charges of attempted theft and charges relating to the assault of the deputy. The release noted that Cotten is being held without bond in the Harford County Detention Center.

According to police, the second suspect who was able to flee early in the encounter with the deputy has been positively identified. A statement of charges has been filed and turned over to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Apprehension Unit, the release said.

The unit’s investigation will be aided by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Services Unit and the Criminal Investigation Division.

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