- Owusu
Updated 2:45 p.m. – On February 12, law enforcement from multiple jurisdictions worked together to apprehend Gideon Owusu, Jr., 31, after a high-speed chase spanning Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania counties. Owusu, wanted for the malicious wounding of two Prince William County Police officers, was taken into custody after a dramatic pursuit on Interstate 95.
The series of events began on February 11 at 4:12 p.m., when Prince William County Police responded to Summerhouse II Condos on Gableridge Turn in Woodbridge to investigate a stolen vehicle. Officers learned that the suspect had taken an acquaintance’s vehicle without permission earlier in the day in Dumfries. Upon arrival, officers found Owusu with a different stolen vehicle, belonging to another acquaintance.
As officers attempted to detain him, Owusu accelerated, dragging two officers for a short distance before they were able to separate. He then struck another vehicle and fled the area. One officer was treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, while the other was treated at the scene.
Following an investigation, police obtained multiple arrest warrants for Owusu. On February 12, officers spotted him returning to the area, but he fled again, leading to a brief pursuit. Due to safety concerns, the pursuit was terminated as he continued southbound on I-95.
High-Speed Pursuit and Arrest
At 9:54 a.m. Wednesday, February 12, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office was alerted that Owusu was traveling south on I-95 into Stafford County. Deputies, along with the Virginia State Police, quickly mobilized.
- Deputy S.M. Eastman first spotted Owusu speeding past mile marker 140 at over 100 mph.
- A Virginia State Police trooper joined as Owusu recklessly weaved through traffic.
- More troopers and Stafford First Sergeant J.D. Floirendo joined the chase as it entered Spotsylvania County.
Authorities attempted a rolling roadblock, but Owusu evaded it. The pursuit ended at mile marker 120, where law enforcement used vehicle contact to force the suspect to stop. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Charges and Status
Owusu faces a long list of charges across three counties:
- Prince William County:
- 2 counts of malicious wounding of a law enforcement officer
- 2 counts of hit & run with injury
- 2 counts of hit & run
- 1 count of reckless driving
- 2 counts of grand larceny
- 1 count of eluding
- 1 count of obstruction of justice
- Spotsylvania County:
- Hit and run
- Reckless driving
- DUI
- Stafford County:
- Reckless driving
Owusu was transported to the Rappahannock Regional Jail, where he is being held without bond.
Stafford Sheriff’s Office thanked the Virginia State Police for their assistance in capturing the suspect. Additionally, they expressed their concern for the injured officers, stating, “We are praying for the full recovery of the Prince William County Officer injured by [the suspect’s] actions.”
This case remains under investigation, and court proceedings are pending.
STAFFORD COUNTY INCIDENTS
ASSAULT
- Planet Fitness, 1455 Stafford Market Place (2/11, 1:41 p.m.)
Deputies responded to a fight at the gym. Several suspects fled before authorities arrived. Investigator: Deputy A.M. Pitts
FRAUD
- Ashbrook Lane (2/11, 9:11 a.m.) – A resident reported a stolen check was fraudulently cashed.
- Wawa, 275 Butler Road (2/11, 10:37 a.m.) – A debit card was fraudulently used at the ATM. Investigator: Deputy S.M. Craig
- Royal Farms, 4 Commerce Parkway (2/12, 12:35 p.m.) – A resident reported a fraudulent withdrawal from their bank account.
HIT AND RUN
- Town Square Circle (2/11, 3:00 p.m.) – A resident’s unoccupied car was struck and damaged in a parking lot sometime over the past month.
LARCENY
- ABC Store, 43 Town and Country Drive (2/12, 3:11 p.m.) – Deputies D.S. Jett and T.R. Berry arrested a suspect for shoplifting alcohol. He was held on a $50 bond.
- Dollar General, 20 Plantation Drive (2/12, 4:27 p.m.) – A 43-year-old male suspect was caught shoplifting $63 worth of goods. He was jailed on a $500 bond. Investigator: Deputy M.N. Sayegh
VANDALISM
- Holly Circle (2/11, 7:59 p.m.) – A resident reported her mailbox was destroyed by fireworks.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY INCIDENTS
DEATH INVESTIGATION
- 2700 Block of Potomac Mills Cl., Woodbridge (2/12, 10:20 p.m.)
Officers found a 29-year-old man unresponsive inside a vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. No foul play is suspected. The case is pending an autopsy.
RECKLESS HANDLING OF A FIREARM
- 15000 Block of Cherrydale Dr., Woodbridge (2/12, 4:24 p.m.)
Officers responded to a shots fired call and discovered multiple shell casings and a damaged community sign.
INDECENT EXPOSURE
- Zumiez, Potomac Mills Mall (2/12, 1:19 p.m.)
A female store employee reported that a male customer exposed himself inside the fitting room. The suspect was described as a Hispanic male in his mid-20s, wearing dark clothing.
STRANGULATION & ROBBERY
- Broadstone at River Oaks Apartments, Dumfries (2/11, 7:28 p.m.)
Lee Otis Taylor, 21, allegedly forced entry into an apartment, strangled a 38-year-old woman, and stole her purse and phone before fleeing. Taylor was arrested on February 12 and charged with robbery, strangulation, and assault & battery.
ASSAULT & BATTERY ON A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
- Dunnington Pl., Dumfries (2/12, 1:11 p.m.)
Aniah Price, 24, was arrested for assaulting an officer, obstruction, and public intoxication after slipping out of handcuffs while being detained.
