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

The deputy was conducting a routine patrol around midnight 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 release said.

Upon entering the Royal Farms, the deputy observed two people behind the counter attempting to steal cigarettes; both failed to comply with the deputy’s commands, which led to a physical altercation, police said.

According to police, one suspect managed to flee 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, a search was conducted by 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 was charged with 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.

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