On February 12, 2017 at approximately 2:10 a.m. Deputy V.M. Galyen responded to a report of an attempted vehicle larceny at the Waffle House located at 580 Warrenton Road. Upon arrival, Deputy Galyen observed a crowd of people in the parking lot, surrounding a female who was sitting on the curb. The female was identified as Megan Sutphin and was escorted to Deputy Galyen’s patrol car to be interviewed. During the short walk, the female was unsteady on her feet and had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from her person. Ms. Stuphin was unable to provide coherent information about the situation. She did not know where she was or where she had been.

Deputy Galyen then spoke with the vehicle owner who reported the attempted larceny. The male stated that he had finished eating and returned to his car in the Waffle House parking lot. He observed Ms. Stuphin seated in the driver’s seat of his vehicle repeatedly pushing the start button in an attempt to turn on the car.

While deputies were still on the scene, another male subject was interviewed by patrol units. He explained that he and his girlfriend, Ms. Sutphin had been drinking earlier at Yak-a-doo’s and had gone to Waffle House for food. The male, identified as Joseph Digennaro, was also unsteady on his feet and appeared to be quite intoxicated.

Megan Lynn Sutphin, age 29 of Carol Street in Stafford VA, was charged with Public Intoxication. Joseph Orazzio Digennaro, age 41 of Garner Drive in King George VA, was also charged with Public Intoxication.
They were both incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

On February 10, 2017 at 9:22 PM Deputy Joshua Scott of the Stafford Sheriff’s Office Special Problems Unit was on proactive patrol in the area of 386 Warrenton Road. He observed a white four-door Mazda Protégé with a minor equipment violation traveling northbound on U.S. Route 17. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and the vehicle pulled off the roadway along the entrance ramp to southbound Interstate 95.

The driver was advised of the violation and was asked for his license. He was identified as James Thompson and it was determined that he was wanted on a Felony Capias from Stafford County for Revocation of a Suspended Sentence. Mr. Thompson was instructed to turn off and exit his vehicle but did not comply. To remove Mr. Thompson from his vehicle the deputy reached for Mr. Thompson. At that moment, the car accelerated and the deputy was forced to hold on to the suspect and the steering wheel as the vehicle was driven onto the interstate. Deputy Scott continued to command Mr. Thompson to pull the vehicle over and the passenger pleaded with the driver to stop. However, the driver continued down the Interstate with an estimated speed of 50 MPH for approximately 1/3 of a mile.

During the struggle, the gear shift was put in neutral, and the vehicle drifted back to the right shoulder of the road. When stopped, the deputy placed the car in park and swiftly removed the keys. Mr. Thompson was then handcuffed and taken into custody. When questioned about the incident, the suspect confirmed he knew he was wanted and had approximately 16 years backup time to serve. A search subsequent to his arrest revealed a white powdery substance located in a plastic bag in the suspect’s sock.

James Kevin Thompson, age 44 of Vista Woods Road in Stafford VA, was charged with Attempted Capital Murder of a Police Officer, Eluding Police, Resisting Arrest, Capias-Revocation of Suspended Sentence and traffic offenses. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on no bond.

On February 13, 2017 at approximately 2:50PM Deputy R.T. Kulbeth was traveling northbound on U.S. Route 1 when he observed a black, four-door Toyota, traveling southbound, displaying an expired state inspection sticker. Deputy Kulbeth activated his emergency lights and initiated a U-Turn. As he followed the vehicle, it began to accelerate through the Stafford Wayside at speeds exceeding 80 MPH. The Toyota lost traction on the roadway and came to rest in a ditch near the Carnaby Street intersection.

The driver exited the vehicle and was ordered to show his hands. He followed commands and was taken into custody without further incident. The subject was identified as Douglas Howard. Mr. Howard had a strong odor of alcohol emitting from his person. He was subsequently given field sobriety tests.

Douglas Edward Howard, age 59 of Tobelt Court in Stafford, VA, was charged with Felony Eluding, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Driving with an Expired Inspection Sticker. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail and was held on a $2000 secured bond.

The Stafford Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for 24-year-old Donevian Lemar Heyward Snipes. The subject is known to drive a silver four-door Volkswagen Jetta and has a known medical condition. Distribution of this time-sensitive information is appreciated.

On February 14, 2017, at approximately 2:30 PM the Traffic Safety Unit responded to a head-on collision on U.S. Route 1 near the intersection of Layhill Road which closed north and southbound lanes of traffic for approximately 45 minutes. A pickup truck, traveling northbound collided with a blue van traveling in the opposite direction. The van overturned as a result of the collision. Emergency Medical Personnel responded and evaluated both parties at the scene. One subject was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

On February 14, 2017 at approximately 8:50 PM Deputy A.J. Layug responded to a hit and run at the intersection of Brent Point Road and Arkendale Road. Upon arrival, Deputy Layug interviewed a male subject who advised that an oncoming blue Ford SUV had crossed over into his lane and collided with his vehicle. Deputy Layug observed considerable damage to the driver’s side of the victim’s vehicle. The victim advised that after the accident the other driver exited the Ford and identified himself only as Paul. Paul then stated that he did not want to get law enforcement or insurance involved. He returned to his vehicle and drove away. When doing so he almost struck the victim again.

Paul was described as a thin, white male about 5’10” tall, weighing approximately 160 lbs. He had long brown hair in a ponytail, a long goatee and was wearing a blue work coat and blue jeans. A tag number was not obtained for the Ford by the victim. A BOL was distributed with the description provided. First Sergeant D.F. Purcell recognized the description as matching a resident of the area. Patrol units responded to the residence of Paul Magner on Decatur Road to investigate further. Upon arrival, Deputy Layug observed a blue Ford SUV in the driveway with damage to the front driver’s side. He rang the doorbell and heard a noise coming from the garage. As he approached the garage, he observed a man matching the description provided. The man refused to open the door or speak with the deputy. Instead, he dialed 9-1-1 multiple times to report that law enforcement was trespassing on his property. His mother then came outside and asked deputies to leave.

Warrants were obtained and deputies attempted service. Mr. Magner was taken into custody after a short struggle.

Paul Joseph Magner, age 39 of Decatur Road, was charged with Felony Hit and Run, Obstructing Justice, Falsely Summonsing Police, Driving on Revoked and Driving with No Insurance. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $3000 secured bond.

On February 17, 2017 at approximately 2:25 AM Deputy J.A. Mangan responded to a vehicle crash on Courthouse Road. Upon arrival, he observed a dark colored Toyota 4Runner that had collided with a parked plow truck. A male and female subject were at the scene, both were evaluated for injuries and identified. The male, Nicholas Martinez, did not possess a valid operator’s license but explained that he was driving the Toyota because his girlfriend was too intoxicated to be behind the wheel. Mr. Martinez advised that he was forced to swerve to avoid something that had run across the road and subsequently hit the parked plow truck. During Deputy Mangan’s assessment of the scene, he observed a glass container and a glass smoking device hidden behind the rear tire of the vehicle that had been struck. Mr. Martinez was given field sobriety tests.

Deputy V.L. Powell arrived at the accident scene to interview the female who was identified as Krystina Mercer. Ms. Mercer was not willing to cooperate during the interview and was verbally abusive to Law Enforcement.

Nicholas Andre Martinez, age 25 of Blossom Wood Court in Stafford, VA, was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Possession of Marijuana, Reckless Driving and Driving on Suspended. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $1500 secured bond for the first two charges.

Stafford, VA. On February 23, 2017 at approximately 0240 hours, a single vehicle accident occurred on Poplar Road between Mount Olive Road and Stefaniga Road. When Stafford County Deputies and Fire and Rescue personnel arrived on scene, they found the lone occupant deceased. The vehicle involved, a Hyundai, had struck two trees and the driver was partially ejected. The vehicle was traveling northbound.

The cause of the one car accident has not yet been determined as the investigation is ongoing. It appears from the large debris field that excessive speed was a factor as the engine of the vehicle was located almost two hundred feet from the point of impact. It also is likely the driver was unrestrained.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is not releasing the name of the victim until the next of kin is notified of the incident.

On February 19, 2017 Deputy Vernon Galyen responded to a report of a suspicious person at the Valero located at 620 Cambridge Street. When he arrived at the location, he observed a male subject sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle that was parked at the pumps. He also observed the subject was slouched over onto the passenger seat. There was a white powdery substance on his face and his eyes were closed.

Deputy Galyen woke the subject and asked him to step out of the vehicle. The male did so and identified himself as Zachary Simmons. Deputy Galyen observed numerous articles in the vehicle that are indicative of drug usage and asked Mr. Simmons if he takes medications. Mr. Simmons answered that he takes Adderall and Xanax. The deputy asked if he should be driving while on the meds and Mr. Simmons answered “I do all the time.”

Deputy Galyen observed an upside down aluminum can in the console of the vehicle with a piece of cotton on it. He asked what the cotton was for and Mr. Simmons answered “heroin.” Deputy Galyen then asked about needles in the car and was told there was one in the sunglass holder.

Mr. Simmons was then detained and Deputy Galyen searched him and the vehicle. He located a small amount of white powder, a white pill with an X on it, a glass crack pipe, an uncapped needle and some other unknown substances. Mr. Simmons was then placed under arrest and charged with two counts of Possession of Schedule I and II Narcotics and Possession of Paraphernalia. He was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on $2,000.00 bond.

On February 1, 2017 Deputy B. U. Demirci responded to a shoplifting complaint at the Target store located at 1090 Stafford Market Place. When he arrived, loss prevention officers had two adult females in custody for concealing merchandise. The suspects had been observed placing various cosmetics in their purses and attempting to leave the store without paying. Loss prevention detained them and called the Sheriff’s Office. The stolen property recovered from each of the females was valued at over two hundred dollars.

Loss prevention officers advised Deputy Demirci that the two women had been seen shoplifting in the store on numerous occasions in the past but had escaped each time. The thefts had been recorded by security cameras and saved on disc. Deputy Demirci spoke with both women who confessed to the theft they were detained on. They also admitted they had shoplifted at Target in the past. Deputy Demirci arrested the two for the thefts committed that day and asked loss prevention to gather the security videos of the other thefts for him to review.

On February 26, 2017 Deputy Demirci obtained concealment warrants on both female suspects for five other shoplifting cases that were recorded by loss prevention. One case was from November of 2016, one from December of 2016 and three were from thefts that occurred during January of 2017.

Arrested were Pandora Johns, 65 years old and Andrea Tellis, 61 years old. Each resides in Stafford County. Both suspects were charged with Grand Larceny and five counts of Concealing Merchandise.

On March 3, 2017, at approximately 4:42 PM, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a report from a witness who had observed a white male urinating behind a business on Garrisonville Road, throwing beer cans out of his blue Chevrolet Silverado while driving into Doc Stone Commons. The witness observed the vehicle run a red light and drive over several curbs before parking illegally. The driver and a male passenger exited the vehicle and briefly entered the Lowes before picking up another male passenger and leaving the area westbound on Rt. 610.

Deputy D.C. Reed and Deputy J.J. Brunofski made their way through heavy rush-hour traffic and caught up with the truck as it made a left turn into the parking lot of North Stafford High School. Deputy Reed observed the vehicle failing to maintain its lane of travel and crossing over the double yellow center lines before initiating a traffic stop. The driver failed to stop and continued to travel through the high school campus towards Shelton Shop Road. Deputy Reed advised other patrol units that he was in pursuit as the truck traveled south on Shelton Shop. The registered owner of the truck was reported to have a suspended driver’s license and was wanted out of three jurisdictions.
The Silverado slowed as it approached the intersection of Mountain View Road where several cars were stopped for the traffic light. Deputy Reed exited his patrol car and approached the truck, during this time period the two male passengers stepped out from the passenger door. Deputy Reed and Deputy Brunofski commanded the subjects to the ground and they were taken into custody without further incident. The driver, however, stayed in the vehicle and fled from the scene. First Sergeant C.D. Truslow, Deputy J.M. Hierwarter, and Deputy J.H. Truslow continued to pursue the vehicle as it turned left and traveled east on Mountain View Road.
The information provided by the passengers confirmed that the driver was Michael Harless, a suspect wanted in three jurisdictions. Both passengers stated that they had begged Mr. Harless to pull over and he stated he would not, as he knew he was wanted and had eight years to serve.

Michael Harless continued down Mountain View Road, traveling at speeds ranging from 60 MPH to 80 MPH. Several vehicles went into ditches to avoid a head-on collision with Mr. Harless. He then turned onto Centreport Parkway heading toward Interstate 95. Major J.W. McAlister and Deputy A.I. Assur arrived at the anticipated intersection and deployed Stop Sticks, which successfully punctured both the driver and passenger side tires. The Silverado continued down Centerport Parkway losing tire tread and slowing slightly. The pursuit of the vehicle ended on U.S. Route 1 as a rolling roadblock was used to pin the vehicle against a guardrail.

Once the Silverado had come to rest, the suspect emerged and began to flee on foot. At that time Deputy J.H. Truslow commanded the male to stop, or his K-9 partner HAVOC would be released. The male continued to run as HAVOC pursued and brought down the suspect who was actively resisting as handcuffs were being applied. As the suspect was being escorted to an awaiting patrol vehicle, he able to briefly break free and run a short distance before being apprehended a second time.

The suspect was placed in a patrol car and transported to Stafford Hospital Center for the treatment of the injuries sustained during the pursuit.

Michael Harless, age 35 of Brookfield Drive in Catlett, VA was charged with Eluding Police, two counts of Abduction and Kidnapping, Felony Hit and Run, Driving Under the Influence, Reckless Driving, Possessing a Vehicle with Altered Serial Number, Resisting Arrest, Driving with a Suspended or Revoked License and numerous other misdemeanors. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on no bond.

On March 7, 2017, at approximately 8:09 AM, Deputy A.C. Wolford responded to a disturbance at the Sheetz at 10 Washington Square. Upon his arrival, he contacted the store manager who advised a male had purchased gas at the pump and then entered the establishment. The male began talking with customers stating that he was going to blow up the store. The subject then purchased two containers of snuff and walked out the business. A few moments later he returned and asked the cashier to open the snuff cans. He left the store again, got into a silver Chrysler Pacifica, and left the parking lot.

Store personnel obtained the Pacifica’s out-of-state license plate number. The tags returned to a rental car from New York. The rental company was contacted and identified the subject who had rented the car as Felix Martinez, also of New York.

Later in the day, at approximately 11:18 AM, Deputy J.W. Kyle responded to a suspicious person at Navy Federal Credit Union on Corporate Drive. He was advised that a male, matching the description of the earlier subject, was yelling and making similar threats inside the business. Deputy Kyle located the subject at a nearby Subway restaurant and detained him.

Felix A. Martinez, age 40 of Copiague, NY, was charged with Threats to Bomb or Damage and Disorderly Conduct. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on no bond.

On March 7, 2017, at approximately 12:40 PM, Sheriff’s Office Volunteer Mark Seymour was investigating an abandoned vehicle on Thomas Jefferson Place. At the scene, he observed a white Volkswagen displaying expired Virginia tags and a flat tire. While documenting the information, three males approached Mr. Seymour and asked him what he would be doing about the vehicle. One of the males identified himself as the vehicle’s owner.

Deputy W.D. Betush responded to the scene and requested the male subject’s identification. The subject stated he did not have identification with him, but provided a name, date of birth and social security number. The information provided did not return as valid. When confronted with this information, the subject became increasingly agitated. He was advised by Deputy Betush that he would be detained until his true identity was determined. As Deputy Betush began to handcuff the subject, he broke free and fled on foot.

Deputy Betush pursued the subject, commanded him to stop, and announced that he was under arrest. The deputy lost sight of the fleeing subject as he ran through the woods between Thomas Jefferson Place and James Madison Drive. Multiple patrol units responded to the pursuit. Subsequently, Deputy Betush observed the male in a backyard, behind a privacy fence, sitting on a lawn chair. When he saw Deputy Betush, he again ran, jumping the privacy fence in order to escape. The subject entered the basement of a townhome and exited the front door. A resident inside the home was startled by the intruder and screamed at him to get out of the residence.

In a short while, the male subject was detained by law enforcement in the 1200 block of Thomas Jefferson Place, near the location where the pursuit began. He was taken into custody, identified, and medically evaluated by Emergency Medical Services.

Antonio Ronald Scott, age 31 of Thomas Jefferson Place, was charged with Obstruction of Justice, False Identification to Law Enforcement, Resisting Arrest and Breaking and Entering. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on no bond.

On March 7, 2017, at approximately 2:42 PM, Deputy G.P. Gabrielli made contact with a concerned citizen near Motel 6 on Warrenton Road. Deputy Gabrielli was advised that a female had been approached by an unknown male while walking to a nearby convenience store. The male asked her if she wanted pills or dust. She responded that she was not interested, yet he persisted and would not leave her alone. He was so insistent that she finally stated, “OK.” The male subject then responded by handing her his phone number. The female provided a description of the subject, the phone number, and advised that he referred to himself as “Uncle.”

Deputy Gabrielle exchanged texted messages with Uncle. A meeting was arranged for 7 PM in the parking lot of the convenience store where Uncle had been encountered earlier. Deputy Gabrielli and other members of the Special Problems Unit monitored the parking lot. A male, matching the description provided, arrived and was immediately detained by Deputy Gabrielli, Sergeant B.W. Morris and Deputy J.R. Scott. Deputy Gabrielli then called the cell number provided and Uncle’s phone began to ring.

Barry Lee Saunders, age 58 of Anvil Road in Stafford, VA was charged with Solicitation of Prostitution, Conspiracy to Commit a Felony and Public Intoxication. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $3,500 secured bond.

On March 10, 2017, at approximately 8:29 PM, Deputy K.J. Simpson and Deputy S.P. Whitt responded to a 9-1-1 call from a residence on Poplar Road. The call had disconnected before deputies arrived on the scene. As is the routine practice, the deputies were outside interviewing the husband and wife about the circumstances that led to the call. A short time later, an uninvolved male subject exited the residence and approached Deputy Simpson. As the male approached, he began using very explicit and abusive language toward law enforcement.

The aggressive male was observed to be very unsteady on his feet and smelled strongly of alcoholic beverage. He was identified as Keith Ortman. The subject was advised to return inside the home, or he would be arrested for public intoxication. Mr. Ortman continued his verbal assaults and stated that he was on private property and could not be arrested for being drunk in public. Deputy Simpson informed Mr. Ortman that he was under arrest and attempted to apply handcuffs. Mr. Ortman broke free from the deputy and a brief struggle ensued. Deputies were advised by witnesses that the male subject, Mr. Ortman, had a handgun. A weapon was removed from Mr. Ortman, and he was taken to the ground and into custody. The weapon, a .40 caliber Glock 23, a plastic bag containing marijuana and a smoking device were recovered. Mr. Ortman was transported to the magistrate office where his verbal tirade continued.

Keith Andrew Ortman, age 30 of Royal Hills Drive in Stafford, VA, was charged with Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Marijuana and Public Swearing and Intoxication. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $7500 secured bond.

On March 13, 2017, at approximately 2:05 AM, Deputy S.P. Whitt and Deputy A.P. Hansen responded to a suspicious person at the Wawa on Butler Road. Upon arrival, deputies were advised by a store employee that a male and female subject entered the store a short time earlier and now were both in the women’s restroom.

Deputies entered the restroom and observed a female subject on the floor and a male subject attempting to help her put on her shoes. A strong odor of alcohol was also emitting from both subjects. The female deputy began to assist the female subject as a medical unit arrived. The female subject was very unsteady on her feet and had to be guided from the bathroom stall to the medical cot outside the doorway. She was evaluated by medical personnel and was medically released. She was then taken into custody by Deputy Whitt.

Deputy A.P. Hansen interviewed the male subject. During the interview, he learned that the male and female had been drinking earlier in the evening and the male had driven the couple from Locust Grove. The male was given field sobriety tests.

Breanna Gordon, age 23 of Eleys Ford Road in Richardsville, VA, was charged with Public Intoxication. Nathan Wayne Pacifico of Glen Oak Road in Stafford, VA, was charged with Driving Under the Influence. Both were incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

On March 19, 2017, at approximately 1:24 AM Deputy M. R. Flick responded to a reported hit and run in the area of 2862 Jefferson Davis Highway behind McDonald’s.

Upon arrival, Deputy Flick observed a silver Nissan situated on top of a median. He also observed uprooted shrubs and a broken McDonald’s entrance sign. There were two male subjects standing near the Nissan’s driver’s door. As he approached, one of the males walked away. Deputy Flick made contact with the remaining subject and was advised that his cousin had been driving the vehicle. He stated that someone had cut him off, forcing the Nissan onto the median. Deputy Flick conjectured that it was difficult to imagine a car traveling at such a high rate of speed in that particular location. The subject at the scene agreed with the deputy and then placed a phone call. The male who had left the scene earlier then returned and was identified as Antwon Mincey.

Mr. Mincey was interviewed and subsequently admitted that he was the sole occupant and driver of the vehicle when the incident occurred. He further stated that he was driving suspended. Deputy Flick detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from his person and observed Mr. Mincey was unsteady on his feet. Deputy Flick administered field sobriety tests. Deputy Flick searched the subject, incident to arrest, and recovered a plastic straw and a substance which appeared to be cocaine. Multiple empty beer bottles were recovered from the vehicle.

Antwon James Mincey, age 27 of Bells Ridge Drive in Stafford VA, was charged with Possession of Controlled Substances, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Driving Under the Influence, Driving with a Revoked License, Drinking While Operating a Motor Vehicle. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on $ 3,000 secured bond.

On March 18, 2017, at approximately 4:50 PM, multiple units responded to a disturbance at the Walmart located at 125 Washington Square Plaza involving an estranged couple engaged in a custody dispute.

The male, later identified as Casey Irvin, learned that his estranged wife was shopping at Walmart with the couple’s children. He arrived at the store, and before entering, cut both passengers’ side tires of her vehicle. Mr. Irvin then proceeded into the store and attempted to retrieve his children from their mother’s custody. Witnesses reported that during the struggle, the female shouted to, “Call the Police!”

Casey Donald Deane Irvin, age 37 of White Oak Road in Stafford VA, was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Vandalism, and Tampering with a Vehicle. He was incarcerated in the Rappahannock Regional Jail on no bond.