Stafford, VA. Deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect on Friday night for driving under the influence and destruction of property after she drove through a privacy fence and into a pool located in the backyard of a residence in north Stafford.

On August 17, 2018, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Deputy Daniel Reed responded to reports that a single vehicle had driven into a pool in the backyard of a residence in the Embrey Mill neighborhood. Upon arrival, the deputy observed the female suspect soaking wet and wrapped in a towel. He also detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from her person and saw that she had bloodshot, glassy eyes.

The suspect was identified as Lisa Marie Leone, 38, of Stafford. Leone told deputies that she was coming from Embrey Mill Café when an animal jumped in front of her car. She swerved to avoid hitting the animal, causing her to drive through the fence and into the pool.

Leone is charged with driving under the influence (second offense in 10 years), refusal to provide a breath sample, destruction of property, and a traffic lane violation. She was granted an unsecured bond and held until sober at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

Stafford, VA. Deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office arrested a wanted suspect on Monday following a domestic dispute on Butler Road in the southern end of the county.

On August 20, 2018, Deputy L.A. Burgess and Deputy B.U. Demirci responded to 242 Butler Road in reference to a female subject chasing a male subject down the road. Upon arrival, the deputies learned that the suspect, identified as William Mark Diaz Jr., 29, of Fredericksburg was wanted for a probation violation. Deputy Demirci and K9 “Steele” then responded to the area of Chatham Heights Road where the suspect had fled on foot.

A witness told the deputy that the suspect was a friend from his neighborhood and that he was giving him a ride home. During the ride, the suspect got into a verbal altercation with a female occupant in the vehicle. He became frustrated and pulled over at 242 Butler Road and exited the vehicle. The female subject said she then exited the vehicle and followed Diaz in an attempt to convince him to return to the vehicle.

A Reverse 911 was issued to local residents providing a description of the suspect and a K9 track was initiated. Deputies later learned Diaz had been picked up and driven to the Super 8 motel located on Warrenton Road. Deputies responded to the Super 8 motel where they established a perimeter and were able to make contact with the suspect who was found in a motel room.

The suspect was taken into custody without further incident and incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail on outstanding warrants.

Stafford, VA. Deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office have arrested two suspects for cashing over $4,000.00 in bad checks at a local convenience store.

On July 23, 2018, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Deputy Derek Ludolph responded to a past occurred fraud at the Kwik Mart located at 115 Onville Road. The manager told the deputy that the suspect, Matthew Philip Sullivan, 40, of Spotsylvania had come into the store on several occasions and cashed checks that returned with insufficient funds.

The checks were in the name of Jessica Rogers, 41, of Spotsylvania and were used to purchase drywall, paint, deck materials, concrete, shingles, and other supplies. The checks totaled approximately $4,854.93.

Detective E.L. McCullough made contact with the suspects and Sullivan admitted to cashing the checks, knowing there were insufficient funds in the account.

In addition, the detective learned the suspects were also behind the theft of several vehicles from a business where Sullivan was previously employed. Sullivan hired a towing company to remove several vehicles from the lot of 109 Deacon Road. The towing company later learned the vehicles they towed did not belong to Sullivan. They provided receipts for two vehicles showing $390.00 paid to Sullivan. The owner of the lot said he had not sold or given away any of the vehicles that had been stolen.

Sullivan was incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail on charges of obtaining money by false pretenses, grand larceny, conspiring to commit larceny, and conspiracy. Rogers was also incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail. She is charged with issuing bad checks, conspiracy, and conspiring to commit larceny.

Stafford, VA. Deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office arrested two suspects following a traffic stop after the vehicle returned stolen and counterfeit money was located inside.

On August 22, 2018, at approximately 10:11 a.m., Deputy Mulligan observed a vehicle pulling out of a parking spot quickly at the Motel 6 located on Warrenton Road. The deputy ran the tags and the vehicle returned stolen out of Westmoreland.

Deputy Mulligan initiated a traffic stop on Bellows Avenue. The juvenile driver and the passenger, identified as Donavin Lee Powell, 20, of Stafford were detained while deputies performed a search of the vehicle. The search revealed several counterfeit $20 bills in the juvenile’s wallet.

Deputies learned the juvenile was wanted on two felony detention orders out of Spotsylvania and Powell was wanted out of Fredericksburg for possession of a controlled substance.

Powell was taken into custody on his outstanding warrants and incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail. The juvenile was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center and deputies submitted petitions for charges of possession of stolen property, possession of counterfeit money, and driving while suspended.

The first day of school for Stafford County students is Tuesday, September 4th. For twenty-three million students nationwide, the school day begins and ends with a trip on a school bus. The greatest risk is not riding the bus, but approaching or leaving the bus. Before children go back to school or start school for the first time, it is essential that adults and children know traffic safety rules.

Over the next few days, we will be posting safety tips for both drivers and students. Let’s make this a great school year for everyone!

Stafford, VA. Deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect on Tuesday for shooting into a moving vehicle following a road rage incident on Route 1 in the northern end of the county.

On August 28, 2018, at approximately 5:52 p.m., Deputy Daniel Reed responded to reports of shots fired during a road rage incident in the area of Route 1 and Corporate Drive. The suspect said he observed the victim tailgating him, prompting him to tailgate the victim after the vehicle passed him.

During the incident, the vehicles ended up side by side and the suspect grabbed his gun and shot three rounds into the victim’s vehicle. The suspect told deputies that he saw a firearm in the victim’s hand, but no evidence was uncovered of a firearm in the victim’s possession. No one was injured during the incident.

After the shots were fired, both the victim and suspect pulled over on the side of the road and flagged down deputies who were in the area responding to a separate incident.

Oscar Martinez, 24, was taken into custody and incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail. He was charged with attempted aggravated malicious wounding, shooting from a moving vehicle, shooting at a moving vehicle, brandishing a firearm, reckless handling of a firearm, and use of a firearm in commission of a felony.

TELEGRAPH ROAD
DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN STAFFORD COUNTY
EXTENDED UNTIL LATE FALL
A portion of Telegraph Road near the I-95 overpass will remain closed to through traffic until later this year

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – A portion of Telegraph Road in Stafford County will remain closed to through traffic at the Interstate 95 overpass until late fall.

Telegraph Road was closed to through traffic in early July for a drainage improvement project.

The completion date for the project has been extended to late fall due to multiple heavy rain events and flooding in July and August. Additional utility work in the work zone also contributed to the delay.

All local traffic will continue to experience one-way traffic in the work zone, controlled by a temporary traffic signal to maintain access to and from homes located on Telegraph Road between Route 1 and the Interstate 95 overpass.

Through traffic will continue to use the established detour, Route 1 to Russell Road (approximately six miles). Signs will remain posted along the detour route to guide motorists around the work zone.

Crews will be working within the work zone Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. –
5 p.m. In limited cases, hours may be extended until 7 p.m.

For more information about this project visit www.VirginiaDOT.org click on Project and Studies, and then select Fredericksburg.

511Virginia
Motorists can find real-time information on work zones, traffic, incidents and lane closures on 511Virginia.
Download the free mobile 511Virginia app for Apple and Android devices to stay connected, or visit www.511Virginia.org. Motorists also can reach 511Virginia by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia.

Stafford, VA. Deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect on Friday for driving under the influence and eluding police with children in the vehicle.

On August 31, 2018, at approximately 12:16 p.m., Deputy Jacobeen responded to reports of a reckless driver in the area of Garrisonville Road and Jefferson Davis Highway. The caller advised that a vehicle repeatedly drove into the median and the front bumper was dragging.

Deputy Jacobeen located the vehicle in the area of Telegraph Road and Woodstock Lane. The vehicle was driving slowly and the left front tire was completely flat. When the deputy activated his emergency equipment, the vehicle crossed the double yellow line into the southbound lane and over the fog line. The vehicle then crossed the double yellow line again into the northbound lane and over the fog line.

The deputy used the cruiser’s public address system to tell the driver to pull over, but the vehicle continued traveling on Telegraph Road. The vehicle continued going back and forth over the double yellow line. Eventually, the vehicle pulled into a driveway and came to a stop.

The deputy exited the vehicle and observed two young children in the backseat of the vehicle. The driver did not open the door or window, prompting the deputy to open the door and explain that she was driving all over the roadway.

The driver, identified as Vanessa Lucila Krafft, 26, of Stafford became belligerent and refused to exit the vehicle. Additional units arrived and helped detain the suspect. She was unsteady on her feet and her speech was slow and delayed. A search warrant for blood was conducted at Stafford Hospital.

Throughout the incident, Krafft repeatedly threatened deputies. She was taken into custody and incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. She is charged with driving under the influence, child endangerment, eluding police, possession of marijuana, and several traffic offenses.

The Stafford County Sheriff's Office is searching for a 15-year-old black female named Andrea Robinson who has been reported as a runaway. Robinson has red hair and green eyes and is approximately 5'5" and 165 pounds. She may be in Washington D.C. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at (540) 658-4400.

Stafford, VA. In recognition of National Preparedness Month in September, the Stafford Sheriff’s Office urges all citizens to prepare for disasters and emergencies well before they happen.

“This is a great opportunity to put together an emergency plan for your family so that everyone knows how to contact each other and reconnect if they are separated,” said Stafford Sheriff David Decatur. “Taking the time now to organize a disaster kit with canned food, medicines, batteries, flashlights and anything else your family may need to sustain itself for several days without help from outside sources is also important.”

National Preparedness Month is a campaign of the Department of Homeland Security designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters. The Sheriff’s Office works closely with the Department of Homeland Security throughout the year on several initiatives to keep Stafford citizens informed on safety risks before, during and after emergencies and disasters. In August, the Sheriff’s Office launched its Shield Program, a two-way information sharing program that provides information to citizens on emerging crime trends, community events and evolving terrorist threats that may impact Stafford County.

Citizens can enroll in the Shield Program by registering for the department’s first Citizens Homeland Security Course that will take place on Saturday, September 15, 2018. The class will teach participants how to spot and report suspicious activity. The training will also educate them about current threats facing the nation.

Applications for the Citizens Homeland Security Course are due by September 7, 2018. Registration is free. For additional information and/or to be considered for the class, please contact Sgt. Jason Forman at 658-4934 or at JForman@staffordcountyva.gov.

For more information on the Shield program, visit the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office website at www.staffordsheriff.com and click on the Homeland Security tab. For information on National Preparedness Month, visit https://www.ready.gov/september.

Stafford Sheriff David P. Decatur was honored to present a plaque this morning to the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce recognizing the importance of their efforts to partner with law enforcement.

This summer, the chamber presented Stafford Deputy Cody McCormick with an award for his heroism during an incident in December 2017 where he narrowly escaped a bullet while pursuing a homicide suspect on the interstate. The year before, the chamber recognized Stafford Deputy Brandon Boyle after he was shot several times while responding to a call at a residence in south Stafford.

These awards served as an important reminder to our deputies that when they put on their uniforms in the morning—a sign of their decision to put their lives on the line—that they are not alone. The community stands behind them. The Sheriff’s Office is very grateful to the chamber all their efforts to support public safety personnel in the area.

Stafford, VA. Deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a suspect for public intoxication and attempted breaking and entering at a residence in the southern end of the county.

On September 2, 2018, Deputy James Wright responded to a reported breaking and entering in progress at a residence on King Street. Upon arrival, he saw other units with a subject matching the suspect’s description at the intersection of West Cambridge Street and Washington Street.

Deputy Wright spoke with the homeowner who told him he woke up to his wife screaming that someone was trying to break into the house. The homeowner grabbed a firearm and went to the balcony of his home and heard someone pounding on the doors below. He told the subject to leave his property, prompting the subject to demand that he open the door. The subject continued pounding on the door despite the homeowner’s requests that he leave the property. Eventually, the homeowner fired a shot in the direction of the river to scare the subject away.

The suspect was identified as Gary Wayne Brown, 42, of Fredericksburg. Brown told deputies he had just been released from Mary Washington Hospital for intoxication. He said he tried walking home and took a shortcut through the woods, leading him to the residence.

Brown was incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond on charges of public intoxication and attempted breaking and entering.

Stafford, VA. Deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect early Thursday morning following a domestic dispute that led to a pursuit on the interstate.

Early on September 13, 2018, Deputy Nathan Potter responded to a reported domestic dispute at a residence on Regina Lane. The victim told the deputy that she and her boyfriend had been arguing, prompting several verbal and physical altercations over the course of the day. The victim identified the boyfriend as Bryan Steven Ramos, 19, of Fredericksburg.

That evening, at approximately 11:00 p.m., the suspect grabbed the victim and tried to pull her down a flight of stairs. A witness corroborated this statement. He then left the residence in the victim’s vehicle without her permission.

Units were able to locate the suspect’s vehicle in the area of South Gateway Drive and Route 17. Several units activated their emergency equipment, but the suspect vehicle did not stop. He drove onto Interstate 95 northbound and began traveling at a high rate of speed. The pursuit was terminated in the area of Exit 140 after deputies lost sight of the vehicle.

Deputies later located the suspect dropping off the vehicle at a residence in the northern end of the county. The suspect was taken into custody and incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $3000 secured bond.

Ramos is charged with eluding police, reckless driving, no driver’s license, unauthorized use of a vehicle, petit larceny, and assault.

Stafford, VA. A woman from out-of-state was arrested on Thursday in the parking lot of the Chick-fil-A on Route 17 in Stafford County for driving under the influence with two children in the vehicle.

On September 20, 2018, at approximately 7:44 a.m., Deputy Gale responded to a reported overdose at 1094 International Parkway. The caller observed a woman hunched over the steering wheel of a silver minivan with Pennsylvania license plates.

Upon arrival, the deputy approached the vehicle and observed a woman frantically moving around in the driver’s seat. When the deputy made contact with her, she noticed the subject was very jittery, had pinpoint pupils and bloodshot eyes. There were two juveniles, a four year old and a fourteen year old, in the vehicle with her. The juveniles were later turned over to Child Protective Services until a family member could pick them up.

The suspect told deputies she took several pills earlier that morning. A search of the vehicle subsequent to arrest revealed drug paraphernalia and over 150 prescription pills. The driver was identified as Sara Elizabeth Collins, 35, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. She told the deputy she was driving from North Carolina to her home in Pennsylvania.

Collins was taken into custody and incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a secured bond. She is charged with possession of a controlled substance, felony child neglect, and driving under the influence with children in the vehicle.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a runaway named Eliza Anastashia Thomas. She is 17 years old, 5'1", 110 pounds, and has blonde hair and green eyes. She was last seen getting into a newer model Black Ford Fusion. She may be in the Richmond area and has been entered into the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (540) 658-4400.