On August 1, 2016 at approximately 2:00 am, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen who reported a car crash on Cool Spring Road near Kings Highway. The caller advised the vehicle had been traveling southbound at a high rate of speed, jumped the median and crossed into the northbound lanes, coming to a stop on the side of the road. Deputies were subsequently dispatched to the accident.
When deputies arrived at the accident scene, no driver or occupants were present. Soon thereafter, a man was observed standing on the northbound side of Cool Spring Road a short distance away. As deputies approached they noticed he was holding a handgun. The subject fired at the deputies who then returned fire. The suspect, a sixty-five-year-old white male was shot. He was transported to Mary Washington Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Sheriff’s Office deputies were not injured in the incident.
The investigation is in the early stages and is ongoing. Additional information will be released at a later date.
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Early Morning Shooting on Cool Spring Road
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Rappahannock River Incident Update
Early today the Stafford Sheriff’s Office released information about a missing man last seen in the Rappahannock River Sunday afternoon, July 31, 2016. The body of 36-year-old Salomon Reyes Ulloa was recovered from the river this afternoon.
Ulloa was swimming with his family Sunday afternoon and according to reports from a family member attempted to swim from the Stafford shore to the Fredericksburg side. A water, ground and air search for the victim was conducted last evening until it grew dark. Ulloa lived in Alexandria, Virginia.
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Name Released from August 1 Incident
The next of kin have been notified and the Sheriff’s Office can now release the name of the individual involved in the August 1, 2016 exchange of gunfire on Cool Spring Road. The decedent’s name is Kenneth Eugene Bonanno of Stafford.
The media release from August 1 may be found on the Stafford Sheriff’s website - http://bit.ly/2aGJAKW
This investigation is ongoing.
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New Jersey Man Faces Extradition on 36 Counts in the Sexual Exploitation of Children
Recent online portrayals of a 14-year-old girl by Stafford Sheriff’s Detective Darryl Wells culminated in the arrest of Herbert A. Gerretz, Jr., of Estell Manor City, New Jersey. Gerretz, a 63-year-old man, was charged with 18 counts of Attempted Indecent Liberties with a Juvenile, one count of Use of an Electronic Communication Device to Solicit a Juvenile, and 17 additional second-offense charges of the same crime. Second and subsequent offense convictions carry mandatory prison sentences. If Gerretz is found guilty of all of these charges, he could potentially be sentenced to life in prison.
Gerretz initiated contact with the young girl that Wells was portraying in April of 2015. In the following months, Wells continued communications until he was able to positively identify the suspect and where he lived. During the continuing communications, the suspect displayed his face to Wells. Additionally, Gerretz unknowingly provided other information that assisted in identifying him.
Gerretz will be extradited to Stafford County for trial, according to Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Ryan Frank.
The New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce assisted the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office in the identification and arrest of Gerretz. Gerretz’s New Jersey Booking Photo is below.
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office conducts online investigations into persons who target children for exploitation. Detective Darryl Wells portrays juveniles in various social media and chat rooms to identify and locate individuals who are interested in such activity.
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Traffic Stop Yields Arrest of Henrico Man
On August 4, 2016, at approximately 11:30 pm, Stafford County Deputy J.J. Kreider observed a blue Honda with a malfunctioning brake light exiting Old Forge Shopping Plaza. He initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver and the passenger. The driver of the vehicle, Constantina Chaney-Wright was found to be driving on a suspended license. Subsequently she gave her consent to search the vehicle. In the search both marijuana and paraphernalia were found. She was issued a summons to appear in court for driving on a suspended license. The passenger in the vehicle, Cedric Baron Thorne was arrested for possession of the marijuana found in the vehicle and taken into custody on an outstanding warrant for a possession of marijuana charge in Henrico County. Thorne, age 25, of Hustle Virginia was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
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Investigation of Three-Year-Old Drowning Victim
On Saturday, August 13, at approximately 12:50pm Stafford County Deputies, Aquia Harbour Police and Stafford Fire & Rescue responded to a report of a drowning in a residential/private pool located in Aquia Harbour.
A parent of two children left them in the care of an acquaintance at the residence, while away. Investigators were told that both children went missing from inside the home during the day. Neighbors found the boy, age two, playing outside. The girl, age three, was found unresponsive in the pool by the adult acquaintance at the residence. She began performing CPR. Rescue units responded to the scene and arrived almost immediately to continue CPR during the transport and also at Stafford Hospital Center. The child was pronounced dead at the hospital.
No charges have been filed as the investigation is still underway.
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Deputies Give Medical Aid to Suspect After Chase
On Saturday, August 13, deputies were dispatched to a domestic incident on Choptank Road. The caller reported that she had stabbed her husband in self-defense as he was attacking her. The husband fled the scene in a Pontiac G6 with Maryland license plates.
Deputy First Class J. D. Floirendo was driving to the scene of the stabbing and noticed a vehicle matching the description provided by dispatch. He turned to follow the vehicle at the intersection of Garrisonville and Patton Drive and activated his emergency lights in an effort to initiate a traffic stop. The driver did not respond to the emergency equipment and continued eastbound on Garrisonville Road. Deputy Floirendo then activated his siren but there was no signal of the driver’s intention to pull over as he traveled through a red light and weaved between the right and left lane. The driver stopped his vehicle near the intersection of Shenandoah Lane, approximately two miles from the initial encounter at Patton Drive. The deputy approached the vehicle but could not get the driver to open the door or window to communicate. The deputy, knowing that the stabbing had occurred and fearing for the driver’s safety, broke the rear driver’s side window to unlock the front door. The deputy then saw the injury and the large amount of blood on the left side of the driver’s body. Deputy First Class J.C. Miller and Deputy B.R. Wilczynski then arrived on the scene. Floirendo advised Miller to get a tourniquet due to the nature of the injury and the loss of blood. Once Miller applied the tourniquet, the driver became verbally abusive and combative. With the tourniquet in place, the driver was then provided transport to a local hospital with Deputy Miller accompanying the transport.
The Trauma Surgeon at the hospital volunteered to Sheriff’s Office personnel that the tourniquet saved the man’s life. He was later charged with Domestic Assault. The investigation into the incident continues.
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Rappahannock River Rescue Successful
At 9:18am today rescue personnel were notified that a man had jumped from the Falmouth Bridge into the Rappahannock River below. Stafford’s Emergency Communications stated that rescue personnel arrived on the scene within five minutes of receiving the call. Fredericksburg Police Department, Fredericksburg Sheriff’s Department, Fredericksburg Fire and Rescue, Virginia State Police as well as Stafford’s Fire and Rescue and the Stafford Sheriff’s Office combined efforts to rescue the subject.
He stayed in the middle of the river and did not respond to any attempts to rescue him from the shore.
Two boats, one from Fredericksburg and one from Stafford Fire and Rescue transported Stafford Sheriff’s Deputies toward the man. Stafford Deputies A.R. Spotts, B.E. Gates and Detective J.S. Massine exited the boats and entered the water near the Chatham Bridge. Law enforcement safely brought the man onto the boat and into custody. He was turned over to the city of Fredericksburg police.
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Bond is Denied in Atteberry Case
On Saturday, August 13 at approximately 10:47pm Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Tarleton Way for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. The victim had serious injuries to her legs and head and was lying on the ground behind a nearby Dodge Ram Truck. Emergency medical aid was rendered and she was transported to a nearby hospital.
The suspect in the case, Aaron D. Atteberry was arrested by Deputy C.L. McCormick. McCormick had to obtain a search warrant to obtain a blood sample, due to the suspect’s refusal to cooperate with the DUI testing.
Atteberry, age 39, of Tarleton Way, was arrested on August 13 for Driving While Intoxicated, Maiming as a Result of Driving While Intoxicated, Concealed Weapon Carry While Intoxicated, Resisting Arrest, Assault and Battery of a Police Officer and Obstructing Justice. The following day an additional charge of Aggravated Malicious Wounding was filed by Detective E.L. McCullough, III. Atteberry’s bond hearing was today. He was denied bond and returned to the Rappahannock Regional Jail. (Booking Photo)
The victim is in stable condition at a local hospital and the Sheriff’s Office investigation continues.
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National Presidential Candidate Donald Trump Visits Stafford Sheriff's Office
On Saturday, August 20, prior to his appearance at the Fredericksburg Expo Center, Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump visited Stafford County’s Sheriff’s Office. The campaign contacted the office and arranged a private meeting with the Sheriff and his personnel to discuss law enforcement issues.
“Today, law enforcement agencies across the country are faced with complex challenges, expanding demand on resources and increased public scrutiny. We want to be part of the conversation to help define the need and identify meaningful solutions,” said Sheriff Decatur.
“There are many issues that we face locally that need to be examined through a national lens. Heroin and opiate use is a public health crisis that tears at the fabric of families, mental health emergencies demand more and more attention of our personnel every day and we have not been immune to violence against our uniformed men and women. We welcome the conversation as we search for local, state and national solutions,” added Decatur.
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Living with Black Bears in Virginia - The Bear Facts
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has provided helpful information on dealing with black bears in our community. Please see the attachment for more information.
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Deputy's Narcan Training Saves a Life
On August 24, 2016, at approximately 10:50pm Stafford County Deputies responded to a call of a cardiac arrest at the McDonalds located at 545 Ferry Road. Upon arrival at the scene, Deputy G.W. Motley observed a middle-aged adult male who appeared to be unconscious, lying in the parking lot. The deputy used his AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to assess the subject and found an inconsistent pulse and minimal respiration. He also observed needle marks on the subjects arm consistent with drug use, in particular, heroin use. At approximately 10:55pm the deputy administered a single-use application of Narcan, which neutralizes the effects of heroin. This revived the 30-year-old male and he was subsequently transported by Stafford County Fire and Rescue to Mary Washington Hospital for further evaluation.
Recently, all Stafford County Sheriff’s Deputies received training on the use of Narcan and were provided single-use nasal spray applications to carry with them while on duty. The investigation into the source of the narcotics possibly used by the subject is currently ongoing.
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Domestic Dispute Leads to Arrest for Assault on Deputies
On August 22, 2016 at approximately 2:10am Stafford County Deputies responded to a call in the 100 block of White Oak Road for a domestic dispute. It was reported that a female involved in the dispute had broken out a windshield of a vehicle by striking it multiple times with a brick. She then left the scene driving a blue Ford Explorer. A look out was given and a deputy spotted the Explorer on Cambridge Road. A traffic stop was initiated and a subsequent interview revealed the female had been arguing with a boyfriend, became angry and smashed the windshield of a vehicle she herself owned. As the damage was caused by the registered owner of the vehicle, no charges were filed.
Later that day at approximately 10:00 pm, the female returned to the White Oak Road residence and subsequently the Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a property dispute. When deputies arrived, the female was found to be intoxicated, disorderly and verbally abusive toward the deputies. After attempts to calm the situation failed, deputies placed her under arrest. As she was taken into custody she kicked, clawed at and attempted to bite the arresting deputies.
Diane L. Timbers, 48 years old of Marshall, Virginia was charged with Assault and Battery of a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest and Public Swearing or Intoxication. She was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
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Assault Arrest Made at Auto Dealership
On August 25, 2016 at approximately 4:10pm Stafford County Deputies responded to a call of a disturbance in progress at LUX Cars Auto Outlet on Perchwood Lane. Upon arrival deputies witnessed two males standing outside the business. These males had been previously told to leave the premises after an altercation with employees inside. The customers had grown upset when advised by dealership employees that the recently purchased vehicle would not be repaired as the vehicle was sold “as is.” According to witnesses, the discussion between the customers and employees escalated into a heated argument. During the disagreement one of the customers, later identified as Gregory Raynard Slade, Jr., pushed an employee of the business and threated to damage vehicles and burn the business down.
The deputies on scene interviewed the witnesses and asked each party to provide a written statement of what was observed. After conducting the interviews and reviewing the facts as presented, Sgt. D.R. Colona charged Mr. Slade with Threats to Bomb or Damage and Assault and Battery. Slade, age 18, from Baltimore Maryland, was taken to the Rappahannock Regional Jail and incarcerated with no bond.
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Juvenile Detained After Attack on Foster Family
On August 26, 2016 at approximately 9:07 pm Stafford County Deputies responded to an unknown problem on Carriage Hill Drive. A caller advised a female that appeared to be bloody was lying on the ground in front of the residence. Upon arrival, deputies found the injured subject on the ground, outside the garage. She was bleeding profusely from her head and face.
While attending to the victim, deputies learned there was another inside the home. The interior of the house was searched revealing an elderly woman on the floor at the top of the steps. She had also suffered head and face trauma. The Carriage Hill Drive residence is also the home of a 15-year-old foster child who was not home at the time deputies arrived.
An investigation was conducted and a subsequent search of the home revealed a wooden baseball bat with stains that appear to be blood. Later that evening at approximately 10:50 pm, the 15-year-old juvenile who resides at the address was located in the 1400 block of Truslow Road. After being interviewed by detectives, he was initially charged with two counts of Aggravated Malicious Wounding and is being held at the juvenile detention center.
The victims, a 41-year-old female and an 86-year-old-female, were transported to local hospitals and are reported to be in serious condition.
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Four Identified in Home Invasion Robbery - Two in Custody, Public's Assistance Needed to Locate Remaining Two Suspects.
On August 28, 2016 at approximately 1:40am Stafford County Deputy A.S. Smith was observed a vehicle that was occupied by four males pull into a driveway on Teri Lyn Court. As he attempted to make contact with the driver, all four occupants exited the Lincoln Town Car. Two of them ran from the vehicle and Deputy Smith was able to detain the others. Backup deputies arrived and an investigation began as to what the subjects were doing and why two of them ran. Neither the vehicles nor the two subjects detained had any connection with the address the vehicle had pulled into.
The investigation revealed that the four subjects had previously committed a home invasion robbery at an address off Warrenton Road. Deputies responded there and confirmed the homeowner had been robbed by four men earlier that evening, two of them displayed handguns during the robbery.
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is seeking assistance in locating the two other men who participated in the robbery. They have been identified as Sean Russell Colley and Steven Robert Szurko, Jr. (pictured below.) If the public has any information on either suspect, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (540) 658-4400. Anonymous tipsters can receive up to $1,000.00 in cash reward. Text “Stafford” + tip to (Crimes) 274637, or online at www.StaffordCrimeSolvers.com
Anthony Lee Rigg and Jeffrey S. Howard were arrested and charged with Robbery, Breaking and Entering with Intent to Commit a Felony, Use or Display of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony and Weapon Possession by a Felon among other charges.
Rigg, age 33, of Wagon Drive in Spotsylvania and Howard, age 27, of Carousel Street in Spotsylvania are being held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
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Garrisonville Walmart Shoplifters Arrested on Multiple Warrants
On August 29, 2016 at approximately 8:30pm Stafford County Deputies W.J. McWaters and C. L. Smith responded to a call of a shoplifting in progress at Walmart, located at 217 Garrisonville Road. Upon arrival at the scene the deputies spoke with Walmart’s Loss Prevention Officer. He had detained an adult male who was accused of stealing a coffee maker, radio and freon canisters.
The suspect was detained and questioned about the day’s events, as well as a larceny of a steam cleaner, which had occurred the previous day. He then provided law enforcement with a social security number that was later determined to be bogus. The suspect was ultimately identified as John Dellinger, Sr.
Once the Loss Prevention Officer reviewed the store’s video of both events Dellinger admitted to shoplifting the items. The footage clearly featured another suspect who entered the store alongside Dellinger and appeared to be fully complicit in the crime. Dellinger’s associate, later identified as Darrin Huffman, had departed the store and exited the parking lot in a blue Subaru Outback.
During the investigation, John Charles Dellinger, Sr., was discovered to have active warrants in two other jurisdictions. Dellinger, age 52, of Manassas, was charged with Conspiring to Commit a Larceny, Concealment of Merchandise, Providing False Identity to Law Enforcement and Identity Theft to Avoid Arrest. He was taken to the Rappahannock Regional Jail and was incarcerated with no bond.
Darrin Eugene Huffman had an active warrant out of Fairfax. On August 30, 2016, Huffman’s vehicle was observed in the 3200 block of Aquia Drive in Aquia Harbour. Contact with the suspect was made and Huffman was taken into custody. Huffman, age 45, of Falls Church, was charged with Concealment of Merchandise and Conspiring to Commit Larceny. He was taken to the Rappahannock Regional Jail and was incarcerated on a $4000 secured bond.
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14-Year-Old Female Found in North Stafford
In the late afternoon on August 31, 2016, fourteen-year-old Kayla Beverly was found unharmed in the northern part of the county by detectives from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office. Kayla was last seen in southern Stafford County on August 17, 2016. She has been removed from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Registry.
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Oak Road Incident Leads to Multiple Arrests
Stafford, VA. On August 31, 2016 at approximately 5:00 am Stafford County Deputies responded to a disturbance on Oak Road. Multiple callers had reported witnessing the strange behavior of four people who were wandering along the road screaming and laughing. One caller advised seeing a female sitting on the road with a baby on the ground.
When deputies arrived at the scene they observed people standing outside a gray Ford Focus. One adult male wearing only sweatpants and Crocs, was pacing around speaking incoherently while carrying an infant. An adult female was attempting to communicate with him. A second adult female, dressed in a nightgown, was seated in the vehicle staring into space and laughing. The fourth adult, a male, was standing on the passenger side of the vehicle, staring into the distance.
As deputies began to investigate the incident, one of the male subjects was observed placing the infant on the front driver’s seat of the vehicle. The man then attempted to sit down on the seat that the baby was occupying. Deputy C.L. Smith immediately intervened to protect the child. Deputies attempted to question the parties involved, however none of the individuals could provide any coherent information explaining their bizarre behavior or circumstances.
Deputies attended to the one-month-old baby until Child Protective Services arrived and took custody of him.
All four adults were arrested and incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
Alleethia Ardele Burgess was identified as the mother of the child. Burgess, age 31 of Fallbrook Lane in Dale City, was charged with Public Intoxication and Felony Child Neglect.
Lakesha Ann James, age 34 of Evansdale Road in Woodbridge, was charged with Public Intoxication.
Marcus Antonio Hunter, age 29 of Dixon Court in Woodbridge was charged with Public Intoxication.
David Elwood-Lewis Anderson, age 37 of Fallbrook Lane in Woodbridge, was charged with Public Intoxication and Resisting Arrest.
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When Dining Casually - Don't Be Casual with Your Wallet
Several times in the last thirty days local women dining at fast-casual eating establishments have had their wallets stolen. Pickpockets are reportedly reaching into an open purse, stealing the victim’s wallet and immediately attempting credit card purchases at nearby big box stores.
Even in a casual environment there are tips to remember to keep your valuables safe:
1- Keep your purse close to your body and tightly closed when not in use.
2- When seated in a restaurant, place your purse beside you, never on the back of a chair or under your seat.
3- If you sit in a booth – place your purse on the seat where it isn’t exposed to people walking by.
4- Don’t put your purse down and walk away, not even for a few seconds.
The public is reminded to ALWAYS keep cars locked and purses out of sight.
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