CRIME ALERT: Between 01/12 and 01/13, there were multiple vehicle break-ins in the Azalea Woods, Woodmont, and Belandres subdivisions in Stafford County.

All vehicles were believed to have been left unsecured and items stolen include electronics, wallets and cash. A few vehicles were only rummaged through and did not have any items stolen.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Stafford Sheriff’s Office at (540) 658-4400.

The Stafford Sheriff’s Office is searching for a 17-year-old runaway. Xazaviou Jamel Williams was last seen on 01/18/2020. He may be in the area of Olde Forge. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Stafford Sheriff’s Office at (540) 658-4400.

Stafford, VA. A suspect was taken into custody on Friday afternoon by deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office for driving under the influence and several other charges following a pursuit on Warrenton Road.

On January 24, 2020, at approximately 3:47 p.m., Deputy A.S. Smith was on patrol when he observed a vehicle driving over the fog line along the shoulder of Butler Road. He attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the area of Colonial Avenue, but the vehicle continued traveling.

The deputy then observed the vehicle pull into a church parking lot and the deputy parked alongside the suspect vehicle. As the deputy exited his vehicle, the suspect reversed his vehicle and crashed into a brick wall. The suspect then drove away from the scene onto Route 1 towards Warrenton Road. Deputy Smith returned to his vehicle and a pursuit ensued.

Just prior to the Interstate 95 on-ramp, Deputy Smith, joined by Deputy Dominguez, conducted a rolling road block, causing the suspect to slow down. The suspect vehicle had a rear flat tire and began to fishtail and made contact with Deputy Smith’s patrol vehicle. The deputy’s cruiser then made contact with the driver’s side rear door area of the suspect vehicle and it came to a stop.

Deputies Smith and Dominguez quickly took the suspect into custody and identified him as Michael Mitter, 27, of Stafford. A search of the vehicle yielded a bag containing digital scales, cash, and a substance consistent with marijuana. Pills were also located in the vehicle.

The suspect was incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond for driving under the influence third or subsequent offense, felony eluding, hit and run, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of controlled substances, refusal, driving revoked, and reckless driving.

When a man traveling from out-of-state had a medical emergency at a local hotel that landed him in the hospital last week, a nurse at Stafford Hospital became concerned when she realized the patient had left critical medication at his hotel. The hospital did not carry the medication and she had no way to quickly retrieve it.

As a last resort, the nurse contacted the Sheriff’s Office in hopes a deputy could pick up the medication and bring it to the hospital. She was pleasantly surprised and grateful when the 9-1-1 dispatcher let her know a deputy was on his way. After hearing the request, Deputy Lytle immediately sprang into action and quickly collected the patient’s personal belongings, including the medication, from the hotel. He then brought the items to the hospital.

Without Deputy Lytle, the patient would have been unable to get his medication and other belongings in a timely manner. Here at the SCSO, we are proud of Deputy Lytle for exemplifying the core values of our department—professionalism, integrity, fairness, and, especially, compassion.

To some, this act of kindness was going above and beyond the call of duty. But, if you ask Deputy Lytle, this is what being a SCSO deputy is all about—serving the community.

Stafford, VA. Two suspects were arrested last week by deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office after attempting to use a stolen identity to purchase items from Fredericksburg Motor Sports located at 430 Kings Highway.

On January 20, 2020, Fredericksburg Motor Sports contacted the Sheriff’s Office regarding a suspicious credit application submitted through an online portal. Detectives launched an investigation and made contact with the victim—a North Carolina resident who advised that he had not tried to purchase anything from the business.

Several days later, on January 23, 2020, Fredericksburg Motor Sports informed detectives that the applicants had called and were at the dealership. Patrol units set up a perimeter around the business and detectives responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, units observed one of the suspects exiting the business, and deputies commanded him to stop, but he took off running. After a foot pursuit, the suspect was taken into custody and later identified as Bryant Hardy, 27, of Richmond, VA.

While running, the suspect dropped the fake driver’s license and it was located by First Sergeant Floirendo.

In the meantime, a second suspect was observed sitting in a U-Haul van. Deputies observed that the passenger had moved from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat, and he began to put the vehicle in reverse. Deputy Assur commanded the suspect to stop and he complied. The suspect was taken into custody and later identified as Andrew Batts, 27, of Richmond, VA.

Hardy was incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail on charges of attempting to obtain money by false pretenses, attempted false statements to obtain property or credit, identity theft, identity fraud, conspiracy to commit larceny, obstruction of justice, and possession of a false driver’s license. Batts was incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail on charges of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretenses.

Stafford, VA. Two suspects were arrested on Thursday by detectives with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit following a joint investigation with the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office into a report that a juvenile was sexually assaulted by two suspects in both counties.

On January 20, 2020, a 14-year-old juvenile filed a report with the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office that she had been sexually assaulted earlier that day. The juvenile advised that she had met two male subjects at the Chick-fil-A located at 25 Dunn Drive in Stafford. They exchanged Snapchat information and the juvenile provided the subjects with her home address in Fauquier County.

Later that evening, the subjects showed up at the juvenile’s house and asked her to meet with them outside. She got into their vehicle and observed a handgun in plain view. The subjects then drove the juvenile to a secluded area in the county and had her perform sexual acts on both of them. They then drove to the 7-Eleven located at 2337 Garrisonville Road in Stafford and performed sexual acts with the juvenile in the bathroom. Afterwards, they drove the juvenile home and dropped her off at the end of her driveway.

Through surveillance footage obtained from several businesses, Stafford detectives were able to identify the subjects as Reek’quan Norman, 18, of Stafford and Brodrick McFarland, 19, of Stafford.

On January 30, 2020, both suspects were taken into custody in Stafford County. Detectives also executed search warrants for the suspects’ residences and vehicle. During arrest, a loaded handgun was found concealed in the waistband of McFarland’s pants. A substance consistent with marijuana was also located on his person.

Norman was charged with carnal knowledge of a child. McFarland was charged with carnal knowledge of a child, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a concealed weapon, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

The Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office obtained additional warrants for the suspects. Both suspects were incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

Stafford, VA. A suspect was arrested on Sunday night by deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office for driving under the influence and several other charges following a disturbance at a 7-Eleven.

On February 2, 2020, at approximately 10:53 p.m., Deputy Forman and Deputy Deasy responded to reports of a disturbance at the 7-Eleven located at 327 Deacon Road. They located the suspect vehicle pulling into the parking lot and made contact with the driver who was identified as Eric Dunlap, 46, of Fredericksburg. There were firearms in plain view in the vehicle and Dunlap was wearing ballistic body armor protection.

Deputies detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the driver’s person. The driver told deputies he had recently been drinking. Field sobriety tests were conducted and a breath test was administered.

Deputy Deasy also made contact with the complainant who explained that the suspect had entered the 7-Eleven earlier that day and was yelling and causing a disturbance. The suspect then stomped on the complainant’s foot. Both individuals left the store and drove away in separate vehicles.

For the next hour and a half, the complainant observed the suspect driving up and down his street, passing his residence numerous times. The complainant then reported the incident to the Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect was taken into custody and incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond on charges of driving under the influence, stalking, disorderly conduct, assault and battery, and possession of a firearm while intoxicated.

The Stafford Sheriff’s Office is searching for two missing children. Isaiah Nicklaw, 14 (pictured right), and Elijah Nicklaw, 12 (pictured left). They may be in an old red Chevrolet Blazer and may also be in the company of their mother, Ashlee Wells-Nicklaw, 35. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (540) 658-4400.

On February 5, 2020, at approximately 5:31 a.m., deputies responded to reports of shots fired in the area of 300 Garrison Woods Drive. Upon arrival, deputies quickly discovered several bullet holes in the front door and window of one of the apartments. Deputies canvassed the area to ensure the neighborhood was safe and that there were no reported injuries. Deputies also made contact with the residents who were alarmed, but uninjured. They informed deputies that they were asleep when they heard a noise. They got out of bed and discovered bullet holes in the door.

The incident remains under active investigation. We will continue to provide updates as the investigation unfolds.

Stafford, VA. A suspect was arrested on numerous charges early Thursday morning by deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office after he was discovered passed out behind the wheel in the parking lot of a local motel with a child in the vehicle.

On February 6, 2020, at approximately 12:41 a.m., Deputy Vasquez responded to the Motel 6 located at 401 Warrenton Road for reports of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot. The 9-1-1 caller reported observing the vehicle strike the curb and pull into a parking space.

Upon arrival, the deputy located the suspect vehicle in the parking lot. It was running and the windows were foggy. After approaching the vehicle, he observed the driver asleep at the wheel with an alcoholic beverage between his legs. There was a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. The deputy also observed an 8-year-old child asleep in the backseat.

The driver appeared unresponsive, so deputies opened the door and attempted to wake him up. They also put the vehicle in park after seeing that it was in neutral. The driver eventually woke up and was extremely lethargic. In addition, his eyes were bloodshot and glassy, and he was unsteady on his feet.

The driver was identified as Michael Rosado, 31, of Stafford. A search of the vehicle yielded multiple alcohol bottles, numerous small bags containing a substance consistent with marijuana, and a white powdery substance. A firearm was also located in the trunk of the vehicle. In addition, a firearm that returned stolen out of Stafford County was discovered on the suspect’s person.

The suspect was taken into custody and incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond on charges of driving under the influence, child neglect, open container, possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, driving revoked, carrying a concealed firearm second offense, carrying a concealed firearm while intoxicated, and ten counts of felon in possession of a firearm.

The juvenile was turned over to Child Protective Services.

Stafford, VA. A suspect was arrested late Friday night by deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office following a traffic stop that led to a foot pursuit.

On February 7, 2020, at approximately 11:02 p.m., Deputy Vasquez conducted a traffic stop for an equipment violation. As the vehicle came to a stop, the passenger quickly exited and began walking away.

Deputy Aubrecht, who was backing up Deputy Vasquez, repeatedly told the passenger to stop and return to his vehicle. The deputy also detected the strong odor of marijuana emanating from the passenger. A foot pursuit then ensued.

The suspect was quickly apprehended by Deputy Aubrecht, but he continued to struggle and was frantically digging into his pocket. The suspect continued to resist the deputies and was able to turn and face the deputies while making a fist with his hand.

The Taser was then utilized to gain control of the suspect and get him handcuffed. Deputies located a loaded handgun in the suspect’s pocket as well as two plastic baggies containing marijuana.

Thomas Payne Jr., 24, of Fredericksburg was subsequently incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a secured bond on charges of obstruction of justice, eluding police, possession of marijuana, and a concealed firearm violation.

Stafford, VA. A Stafford County woman who abducted her four children in June 2019 was arrested early Wednesday morning in Indiana with the assistance of a U.S. Marshals Service Task Force.

On February 12, 2020, at approximately 2:30 a.m., detectives with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office and members of the U.S. Marshals Service located Melody Bannister, 34, of Stafford and her four children in a vehicle at a Speedway gas station in Plainfield, Indiana.

The arrest followed a five month long joint investigation and nationwide search for Bannister and the children. The children have been identified as Genevieve Bannister, 13; Janelle Bannister, 12; Vivienne Bannister, 11; and Peter Bannister, 7.

The children were found safe in the vehicle and were turned over to the Department of Child Services. They are in the process of being reunified with their father.

Bannister was wanted out of Stafford County on a felony charge of violation of a court order, four misdemeanor abduction charges, and a misdemeanor charge of filing a false police report. She is currently being held at the Hendricks County Jail in Indiana.

Stafford, VA. The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect who stole a purse from a shopping cart in the parking lot of the Stafford Marketplace Target.

On February 6, 2020, at approximately 2:10 p.m., Deputy Gildea responded to the Target located at 1090 Stafford Market Place for reports of a stolen purse. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the victim who advised that she accidentally left her purse in a shopping cart in the parking lot. She realized her mistake about 15 minutes later and returned to the store to retrieve the purse, but it was gone.

Video surveillance footage revealed that a man wearing an orange shirt took the purse from the cart at approximately 9:23 a.m. He then left the area in an older model red Chevrolet pick-up truck.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on the suspect or this incident to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (540) 658-4400.

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

On February 16, 2020, at approximately 11:49 p.m., Deputy Ahern attempted to conduct a traffic stop at the 300 block of Garrisonville Road after observing a 2014 Honda CRV traveling well above the posted speed limit. Instead of stopping, the vehicle made an abrupt U-turn and accelerated towards Interstate 95.

The suspect vehicle continued traveling at a high speed on I-95 southbound until exiting the interstate onto Warrenton Road heading northbound. The driver then turned off the headlights and turned right onto Stafford Lakes Parkway and then into the 7-Eleven parking lot. As the vehicle entered the parking lot, Deputy Ahern was able to make contact with the vehicle, pushing it into a tree and ending the pursuit.

The driver attempted to exit the passenger side of the vehicle, but Deputy Bolinsky quickly approached the vehicle and prevented any opportunity for escape.

The driver was subsequently identified as Matthew Guarracino, 24, of Stafford. A search warrant for blood was obtained and executed. Pills and an unmarked pill bottle were located in the vehicle.

The suspect was incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond on charges of felony eluding, driving under the influence, no driver’s license, possession of a controlled substance, reckless driving, hit and run, and several traffic violations.

Last week, Deputy Hopkins and Sgt. D.C. Reed were the first to the scene of a cardiac arrest at a residence in the southern end of the county. When they arrived, they found an unconscious 20-year-old who wasn’t breathing and had no pulse. At the same time, Deputy Dominquez arrived and he quickly retrieved an AED from his cruiser. They then deployed the AED and performed CPR. Not long afterwards, the young man was breathing and had a pulse again. Deputies continued to render aid until paramedics arrived and took over. The young man survived and is doing well.

The situation could have ended much differently if not for the skill and professionalism of these men. The incident is a poignant reminder of why we equip our deputies with the life-saving tools and training necessary to make a difference in emergencies.

Stafford, VA. A suspect was arrested last week by deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office for attempting to steal goats after a farmer observed a suspicious person on his property.

On February 14, 2020, at approximately 9:53 p.m., Deputy Forman responded to a residence on the 700 block of Leeland Road. The 9-1-1 Call Center advised him that a farmer was holding the suspect at gunpoint in the middle of his field.

Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the farmer and the suspect. The farmer told the deputy that the suspect was intoxicated and attempting to steal several goats. The suspect was slurring his words and initially provided false identification to the deputy. Shortly thereafter, the deputy determined the suspect’s name was Cole Schrock, 19, of Clear Brook, VA.

The suspect also admitted that he was pretending to be intoxicated, which was confirmed by a preliminary breath test. The farmer then realized that the suspect had recently purchased a few goats from him and initially did not recognize him because his face was hidden under a hood. The suspect’s pickup truck was located nearby and there were three goats tied up next to it.

The farmer recounted that his wife had gone outside to check on their goats and discovered that they had been let out of their pen. She also believed there was a man hiding in the field. The farmer located the suspect and held him at gunpoint until deputies arrived.

The suspect was taken into custody and incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond on charges of larceny of animals, identity theft to avoid arrest, and unlawful entry with intent to commit larceny.

Stafford, VA. A wanted suspect was arrested on Friday by the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office during a traffic stop on Interstate 95.

On February 21, 2020, at approximately 5:02 p.m., following an investigation led by Detective Ridings, a traffic stop was conducted on I-95 southbound near exit 136 on a vehicle occupied by a wanted suspect identified as Eric Wilhoit II, 25, of Woodbridge, VA. Wilhoit was wanted out of Prince George’s County, MD on a weapons charge.

Members of the Major Crimes Unit, Special Investigations Unit, and K-9 Unit responded to the scene. Three adults were observed in the vehicle as well as a five-year-old child who was unrestrained in the back seat. Two firearms were found in the vehicle as well as a significant amount of marijuana.

Wilhoit was taken into custody on his outstanding warrant. He was also charged with felony child endangerment and possession of a concealed weapon.

Dejhaun Aaron Wilhoit, 23, of Fredericksburg was arrested and charged with felony child endangerment, possession of a concealed weapon, and possession of marijuana. Wayne Wendell Jackson Jr., Partlow, VA was taken into custody and charged with felony child endangerment and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

All three suspects were incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

Stafford, VA. A suspect who allegedly shot an adult female in Henrico County on Wednesday night has died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after he was discovered by deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office in a hotel parking lot in the northern end of the county.

On Wednesday, February 26, 2020, just after 9:00 p.m., the Henrico County Police Division received a call for a domestic related shooting along the 2800 block of Hilliard Road. Officers arrived and immediately encountered an adult female victim who was transported to an area hospital for a significant injury and is currently in stable condition.

Henrico County detectives quickly identified the suspect as Patrick Lamar Jones, 42, of Richmond, VA. Warrants were obtained for attempted murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

On Thursday, February 27, 2020, at approximately 6:17 p.m., Stafford deputies responded to the Hampton Inn located at 2925 Jefferson Davis Highway after the suspect was observed in a vehicle in the parking lot.

When Stafford deputies arrived, the suspect began attempting to leave the area. Deputies were able to stop the vehicle at the parking lot entrance. The suspect then brandished a firearm and shot himself in the head.

Jones was transported to a local hospital in life threatening condition where he was later pronounced dead.

The Hilliard Road incident remains under investigation by the Henrico County Police Division.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a runaway named Devin Chase Williams. He is 5’9”, 165 lbs., and has brown eyes and brown hair. He is believed to be in the area of the Stafford Mews neighborhood. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (540) 658-4400.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a 16-year-old runaway named Melissa Magallanes. She is 5’4,” 149 lbs., and has brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (540) 658-4400.