It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of K9 Steel. This morning, we said goodbye with a final salute to our Stafford County Sheriff's Office hero. Please keep his handler, Deputy Demirci, and his family in your thoughts and prayers as they mourn the loss of their K9 family member.

Deputy Demirci and Steel have worked tirelessly to protect the community—from searching for dangerous criminals and finding missing persons to detecting explosives and keeping schools safe. We will miss Steel and never forget his service to our county.

Thank you to our community and everyone who has offered their thoughts and prayers as we mourn the loss of K9 Steel. We would also like to thank the George Mason Police Department, Manassas Park Police Department, Virginia State Police, Culpeper Sheriff’s Office, Fredericksburg Police Department, Fredericksburg Sheriff’s Office, Fauquier Sheriff’s Office, Fairfax City Police Department, Iron Dog K9, and all our public safety partners for their support.

Every day, our community members go out of their way to help their neighbors and keep us informed so that we can keep Stafford County safe.

That was certainly the case this morning when deputies were alerted to a missing person that suffers from dementia. As our K9 units, search and rescue personnel, and drone team were responding to the scene, an alert citizen contacted our office to report seeing a person in need of assistance at the Howell Library.

On behalf of Sheriff Decatur, we would like to thank Dyan Wright for her assistance. Thanks to her vigilance, the missing person was reunited with her family.

Stafford VA. A suspect was arrested on Tuesday by deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office following a pursuit.

On September 17, 2019, at approximately 10:51 a.m., Animal Control Officer Brooks attempted to conduct a traffic stop at the intersection of Centreport Parkway and Mountain View Road after observing a vehicle disregard a stop sign. A pursuit ensued after the suspect vehicle did not stop and continued traveling.

Additional units responded and Deputy Sypolt took the primary position in the pursuit on Jefferson Davis Highway in the area of Sage Lane. He observed the suspect vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and repeatedly switching lanes.

At the intersection of Jefferson Davis Highway and Warrenton Road, the suspect vehicle came to a stop after proceeding through the intersection at a red light and colliding with a vehicle. Deputies made contact with the driver who was identified as Richard Valderama, 43, of Manassas, VA. The suspect resisted arrest, but deputies were able to take him into custody.

Rescue personnel responded to the scene and evaluated the suspect. The driver of the other vehicle involved in the collision was uninjured and did not require medical attention.

Valderama was incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond on charges of felony eluding, reckless driving, obstruction of justice, and several traffic violations.

Stafford VA. A suspect was arrested on Thursday night by deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office after shooting a vehicle with a BB gun.

On September 19, 2019, at approximately 9:29 p.m., Deputy Houde responded to Tires Plus located at 2830 Jefferson Davis Highway. The victim reported that an unknown subject had brandished a firearm and shot his vehicle in the area of Gettysburg Court.

Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the victim who advised he had been in the neighborhood meeting with a female subject. They were in his vehicle when an unknown male subject approached and tapped on the window. The subject pointed a gun at him and told him to open the door. The victim then began driving away and the subject shot his vehicle. He dropped off the female subject at a local hotel and then called the Sheriff’s Office.

Additional units began canvassing the area in search of the suspect. Later, Deputy Pearce located the suspect in the area of Jason Lane and Confederate Way. It was determined that the shots fired were from a BB gun, which was found in the suspect’s vehicle.

The suspect was identified as Jonathan Hamilton III, 20, of Woodbridge, VA. He was taken into custody and admitted to shooting at the victim with a BB gun. He was incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond on charges of attempted abduction, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, brandishing a firearm, assault and battery, vandalism, and missile at an occupied vehicle.

Stafford VA. A methamphetamine dealer was arrested on Tuesday following a long term investigation led by the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit.

On September 17, 2019, at approximately 8:30 a.m., the Special Problems Unit conducted a traffic stop in the area of 90 Cool Spring Road. The driver of the suspect vehicle was identified as Brian Keith Conner, 35, of Fredericksburg who was wanted on drug-related charges out of Stafford County. A search of the vehicle yielded a firearm, methamphetamine, and cash.

Detectives subsequently executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence and found multiple firearms, narcotics, and a significant amount of cash.

The suspect was taken into custody and incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. He is charged with possession with intent to distribute, possession of a concealed weapon, and possession of a firearm while in possession of controlled substances. He was also served his outstanding warrant for drug distribution.

Stafford VA. A suspect was arrested on Friday night by deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office in connection with two residential burglaries and a larceny of cigarettes from a Wawa earlier that day.

On September 20, 2019, at approximately 1:54 p.m., Deputy Karl Warnick responded to reports of a past occurred breaking and entering at a residence on the 100 block of Madison Avenue. Upon arrival, he made contact with the resident who explained that he returned home to find a door ajar and numerous items—including computers, an iPad, exercise equipment, and a coffee maker—had been stolen from his home.

Later that day, at approximately 8:55 p.m., Deputy Bolinsky responded to the same residence after the victim reported observing some of the stolen items in the backyard of a nearby residence. They deputy then made contact with a male subject in front of the residence unloading items from a vehicle. The deputy immediately recognized him as the suspect behind a larceny that had occurred earlier that day at the Wawa located at 275 Butler Road. The subject was unsteady on his feet, had pinpoint pupils, and his speech was slurred.

The subject was identified as William Pitts, 35, of Fredericksburg and was subsequently taken into custody for public intoxication. Deputies also learned the suspect was wanted out of Fredericksburg City on a drug-related warrant. A search of the suspect’s person revealed numerous jewelry items and controlled substances. The cigarettes that had been stolen from the Wawa were found on the passenger floorboard of the vehicle.

Deputy Stachurski learned the vehicle was stolen after making contact with the registered owner who advised that he parks the vehicle at a family member’s residence on the 500 block of Cumberland Road and that no one is authorized to use the vehicle. The suspect also had keys belonging to the victim’s moped on his person. Deputies conducted a safety sweep of the Cumberland Road residence and discovered signs of a breaking and entering. The resident found several items had been stolen including an iPad, jewelry, a tool box, and a package of brownies.

The suspect was incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond on charges of breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony, larceny with intent to sell or distribute, grand larceny, attempted grand larceny, tampering with a vehicle, driving revoked, possession of controlled substances, and dispensing drugs in violation of drug act.

Update: A criminal complaint was filed after deputies determined that the juvenile had brandished the weapon at a passing vehicle.

This morning, at approximately 7:40 a.m., the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a juvenile with a firearm near a bus stop in the area of Town and Country Drive and Clint Lane. Upon arrival, deputies observed the 14-year-old juvenile holding a gun with an orange tip. The gun was determined to be an airsoft gun which shoots BBs. Deputies determined the juvenile is not a Stafford County Public Schools student. Juvenile Intake was contacted and a criminal complaint for brandishing has been filed. The incident remains under investigation.

We would like to thank the public for quickly contacting the Sheriff’s Office to alert us to the incident. We always encourage residents to report suspicious behavior to law enforcement—If You See Something, Say Something.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is investigating reports that a student brought a weapon on a school bus this afternoon. At approximately 2:46 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office received a report that a student on a bus had a weapon. The bus pulled over in the area of Brittany Manor Way and Hamn Lane. Sheriff’s Office personnel entered the bus, which was occupied by four high school students. They made contact with a 17-year-old juvenile who was very cooperative and advised he had a pocket knife in his backpack. The incident remains under investigation. We will provide further updates as the investigation unfolds.

Stafford VA. A suspect was taken into custody on Saturday night by deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office after his vehicle became stuck in the railroad tracks at Brent Point Road and Arkendale Road.

On September 28, 2019, at approximately 9:29 p.m., Deputy West responded to reports of a disabled vehicle on the railroad tracks. Upon arrival, she made contact with the driver who was identified as Corvonte Morales, 28, of Temple Hills, MD. The deputy also observed two other occupants in the vehicle—a female subject identified as Ronnica Smith, 30, of Washington, DC and their 2-year-old daughter.

The driver told the deputy he confused the railroad tracks with an actual road, and had gotten stuck after making a right turn onto the tracks. The deputy immediately detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his person. His eyes were bloodshot and glassy, his speech was slurred, and he was unsteady on his feet. Field sobriety tests were conducted and a search warrant for blood was later executed. He admitted to having several drinks at the nearby winery.

In addition, a paramedic on scene advised that he observed the driver slap the female subject across the face prior to the deputy’s arrival.

The driver was taken into custody on charges of driving under the influence, driving DUI revoked, refusal, obstruction of justice, child abuse, and domestic assault and battery. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

During the incident, the female subject appeared to be extremely intoxicated. She was unsteady on her feet as she held the child, and almost dropped her several times. She was taken into custody for public intoxication, child neglect, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a secured bond. The child was turned over to the custody of a family member.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a runaway named Karley Alexis Brown. The 17-year-old white female is 5’3”, 170 lbs., and has sandy blonde colored hair and brown eyes. Anyone who may have information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (540) 658-4400.

Stafford, VA – For the past several years, the Stafford Sheriff’s Office has built a reputation for being a leader with drone technology for law enforcement uses, and now its drone team will lead a regional workshop on public safety uses for the unmanned aerial systems. The workshop will take place on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 in the Ford T. Humphrey Public Safety Building, 1225 Courthouse Road, Stafford, VA.

“Our drone program has been extremely successful in a number of cases from locating missing individuals to helping us track down suspects on the run to recreating accident scenes,” said Stafford Sheriff David Decatur. “We are honored when others take notice of our efforts and always welcome opportunities to share our knowledge and lessons learned with other organizations.”

Stafford’s team was asked by officials from the Virginia Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security to feature its drone cases and capabilities. Assistant Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Shawn Talmadge and Director of Virginia’s Unmanned Systems Center Tracy Tynan will speak at the workshop as well as national expert and Director of the non-profit public safety program DRONERESPONDERS Charles Werner, who will discuss how to build an effective drone program. Stafford’s team will also conduct field demonstrations as part of the workshop.

When the Sheriff’s Office started the drone program in 2017, it became the first law enforcement agency in Virginia to use drones solely for law enforcement purposes. Since then, Capt. Ben Worcester, who heads the office’s drone program, has traveled around the country talking about how it is used in Stafford. Besides locating missing persons and finding criminals, drones can assist in crime scene documentation. They can also capture environmental disasters, help with traffic assessments, or aid people in distress such as by dropping a life preserver or a tow line to them if they are struggling in a body of water.

Recently, the Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety Unit was recognized by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP) for its use of drones for reconstructing crash scenes. Traditionally, crash reconstruction can take hours, and use of drones significantly reduces that time. The association recognized the unit’s efforts with the 2019 Virginia Law Enforcement Challenge award in the technology category. The Sheriff’s Office also received a second place award for an agency of our size. The awards were presented at the VACP’s 94th Annual Training Conference on August 27 in Norfolk, VA.

“Embracing technology is critical to the success of any law enforcement agency,” said Sheriff Decatur. “Leveraging these advanced tools helps us do a better job of protecting our citizens and keeping our community safe.”

Stafford VA. A suspect was taken into custody on Wednesday evening by deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office for impersonating a law enforcement officer.

On October 2, 2019, at approximately 6:51 p.m., Deputy West responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle with flashing red and blue lights in the area of Stafford Hospital Center located at 101 Hospital Center Boulevard.

Upon arrival, Deputy West located the unoccupied vehicle in the parking lot of the hospital. She observed light bars on the upper portion of the windshield. She then made contact with the 911 caller who told her that he observed the vehicle traveling on Jefferson Davis Highway with the flashing lights on and that he did not recognize it as an authentic law enforcement vehicle.

Security camera footage showed the vehicle arriving at the hospital with the flashing lights activated. The driver then exited the vehicle and entered the hospital. Hospital security personnel assisted the deputy in locating the driver.

The driver was identified as Carlos Omar Romero Castro, 22, of Stafford. He was taken into custody and incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond on charges of impersonating a law enforcement officer and unauthorized emergency lights.

Thanks to Captain Lee Peters and a Good Samaritan, a California resident was reunited with her wallet while visiting family in Stafford County a few weeks ago.

We recently received a very kind letter from the visitor thanking the SCSO for going above and beyond to help her.

In the letter, the visitor recalled that she was attending a family birthday celebration when she realized her wallet was missing. She immediately panicked, knowing she needed to catch a plane and head back to California soon. The last time she saw the wallet was at a local restaurant.

Fortunately a Good Samaritan found the wallet and contacted Captain Peters in order to return it.

The resident wrote, “Thanks to the honesty of one of the people in your town and especially to Captain Peters [who] went out of his way to determine how to get in touch with me, then call California, then inconvenience himself so that I might pick up my wallet, not only did everything turn out well for me, but my husband I are delighted that his sister lives in a community where ‘Integrity, Compassion, Fairness, and Professionalism’ are a declaration fulfilled.”

We were humbled to receive this letter and it reaffirmed our belief that Stafford County is a truly special community to live and work.

“We are so blessed to live in a community filled with extraordinary people who will take a moment from their daily routines to perform a kind deed, like returning a wallet,” said Sheriff David P. Decatur. “These acts of kindness have a ripple effect. And, in this case, one kind deed in Stafford County made a huge difference for a woman living across the country in California.”

Stafford VA. The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a Stafford County woman after her body was found early Sunday morning along the roadside in the northern end of the county.

On October 6, 2019, at approximately 5:50 a.m., a concerned citizen called the Sheriff’s Office to report observing a body in the ditch line on Whispering Pines Lane in the area of Shelton Shop Road. Upon arrival, deputies found the body and observed no obvious signs of trauma.

Detectives have identified the deceased as Ashley Nicole Childs, 28, of Stafford County. The cause of death is still under investigation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The Sheriff’s Office is requesting anyone with information on the incident to contact Detective Massine at (540) 658-4400.

Stafford, VA. A suspect has been arrested in connection with a string of burglaries that occurred at several businesses in Stafford County at the end of August.

On August 30, 2019, at approximately 11:03 a.m., Deputy Szenkuti responded to a past occurred breaking and entering at Fortune House located at 282 Deacon Road. Upon arrival, the deputy observed signs of forced entry at the business.

The Stafford Sheriff’s Office subsequently received several similar reports of breaking and entering incidents at businesses in the area including China Delight located at 300 Chatham Heights Road, Chatham Laundry and Car Wash located at 312 Chatham Heights Road, Top Chef located at 43 Town and Country Drive, Hong Kong located at 1075 Garrisonville Road, and Lin’s Gourmet Chinese located at 45 Walpole Street.

During the ensuing month-long investigation, detectives identified the suspect as Eugene Blocker, 39, of Washington DC. He was arrested last week in Washington D.C. on unrelated charges. Stafford detectives have obtained warrants for breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony and destruction of property.

“I am very proud of our detectives and deputies who worked tirelessly to identify and locate the suspect responsible for these incidents,” said Sheriff David P. Decatur. “Thanks to their hard work and dedication, we were able to resolve this case and ensure our community remains a safe place to live, work, and visit.”

Several weeks ago, an 11-year-old boy in our community was reported missing. The Sheriff’s Office immediately began deploying resources—including our K9 units, search and rescue personnel, and drone team—to find him.

In the meantime, a loss prevention officer at the Walmart located at 217 Garrisonville Road sprang into action as soon as he received a Be on the Lookout flyer from the Sheriff’s Office. He began analyzing security camera footage and spotted the juvenile inside the store. Shortly afterwards, the young man was reunited with his family.

Today, Sheriff Decatur was proud to present the loss prevention officer with a coin to recognize him for going above and beyond to help us make sure this young man made it home safe.

“Great things happen when working together,” said Sheriff David P. Decatur. “That was certainly the case when our department worked in tandem with Walmart’s loss prevention personnel to find this missing boy. Thanks to the vigilance and proactive response of this loss prevention officer, the young boy made it home safe that night.”

We have several special events in the county this weekend, including the BPHS 5K and the Ebenezer 5K/Fun Run. We’d like to alert the community to the following road closures tomorrow morning:

1. October 12, 2019, 7:30-11:30 a.m.—One lane of southbound Hospital Center Boulevard beginning at the medical pavilion and one lane of eastbound Courthouse Road from Hospital Center Boulevard to Blackhawk Drive will be closed.

2. October 12, 2019, 7:30-10:30 a.m. —Winding Creek Road between Embrey Mill and Walpole—Full shutdown. One lane of northbound Walpole from Courthouse Road will also be closed.

We are asking motorists to use caution in the area, plan alternate routes, and follow the direction of Sheriff’s Office personnel on scene controlling traffic.

Stafford VA. A suspect was taken into custody on Sunday night by deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office after threatening a male subject with a knife and subsequently fleeing on foot from law enforcement.

On October 13, 2019, at approximately 9:49 p.m., Deputy Ahern responded to reports of a disturbance with a weapon on the 1200 block of Providence Street. The 911 caller stated that a male subject whom he did not know threatened him with a knife.

Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the suspect and ordered him to stop. The suspect did not comply with the deputy’s commands and ran into a wooded area towards Greenspring Drive. The deputy pursued the suspect on foot, continuing to give commands to stop. Eventually, the suspect stopped and the deputy took him into custody without further incident.

The deputy detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the suspect’s person. He was also unsteady on his feet. A search of his person yielded a knife.

In the meantime, Deputy West made contact with the victim who explained that he was retrieving items from his vehicle when he saw the suspect lurking in the shadows. The suspect then pulled out a knife and approached the victim while calling him racial slurs. The victim went back to his residence and called the Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect was identified as Vincent Webster, 38, of Stafford. He was incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a secured bond. He is charged with assault and battery, public intoxication, and obstruction of justice.

UPDATE: Micheal Kanu has been located and is safe. Thank you to the public for your assistance.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a runaway named Micheal Kanu. The 17-year-old black male subject is 5’8”, 145 lbs., and has black hair and brown eyes. He is wearing a brown jacket and blue jogger pants, and is carrying a black book bag. He was last seen at approximately 7:30 a.m. on 10/15/2019 in the area of Town Square Circle. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (540) 658-4400.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a runaway named Jaden Marti. The 13-year-old male subject is 5’6”, 95 lbs., and has black hair and brown eyes. He may be in the area of Central Park and the Spotsylvania Mall. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (540) 658-4400.