CLEVELAND — Eric Maldonado faced a judge Monday morning to face charges for a Friday night crime that left a bicyclist dead in Cleveland.
Bond was set at $2 million for Maldonado, who is being held on several charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide and kidnapping.
The situation started around 8:20 p.m. in the 3100 block of West 44th Street when a woman exited her vehicle with her 2-year-old child secured in their car seat. Police say a cousin was left with the child as the mother entered a nearby residence.
That’s when Maldonado allegedly approached the vehicle and knocked the cousin to the ground. Police say he then stole the vehicle with the child still inside.
Maldonado, 38, then allegedly fled police “at a high rate of speed” when he fatally struck a bicyclist at West 45th Street and Bridge Avenue. The vehicle then crashed into a parked car and a tree.
Police say Maldonado “attempted to flee,” but was taken into custody.
The 2-year-old child was evaluated by medical staff, but wasn’t hurt in the incident. An officer sustained undisclosed injuries while taking the suspect into custody.