Police Blotter - Potomac Local News

Drone Tracks Break-In Suspect in Stafford; Child Porn Arrest in Spotsy; Manassas Police Seek Wanted Man

Published September 9, 2025 at 3:58PM

[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]

In Spotsylvania, a Child Pornography investigation led to the arrest of 72-year-old Dennis Buchanan. A tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led authorities to Buchanan’s home on Thurston Lane, where they seized electronic devices. He was charged with three felonies related to possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material. The investigation is ongoing.

In Manassas, police are asking for the public’s help to locate Robert L. Osbourne, who is wanted for Failure to Appear on multiple charges, including Petit Larceny, Possession of a Schedule I/II Substance, Larceny of Vehicle Parts, and False ID to Law Enforcement. Crime Solvers is offering up to $1,000 for tips that lead to his arrest.

False Robbery Report Triggers Massive Police Response in Stafford; Thefts and Intoxications Fill Blotter

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 6, 2025 at 1:17PM

A false report of a robbery involving a stolen firearm in Stafford Lakes Village led to a major law enforcement response on September 4, while deputies also investigated multiple larcenies and public intoxication cases across the county.

Deputies first responded around 4 a.m. to reports of suspicious activity in the Stafford Lakes subdivision. Multiple unlocked vehicles on Rollingside Drive, Basalt Drive, and Charter Gate Drive were rummaged through. Some residents reported missing items, including car keys and shoes.

Shooting in Downtown Manassas Turns Into Abduction, Robbery Investigation

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 6, 2025 at 1:05PM

An early morning shooting in downtown Manassas on August 23 has now escalated into a broader investigation involving abduction and an attempted robbery. Police say one of the suspects forced a separate victim into a vehicle and tried to steal their car keys shortly after the shooting. That victim has since been found safe.

Joseph West, 31, was arrested on September 3 and is being held without bond at the Prince William Detention Center. He faces charges of abduction and attempted robbery.

Sexual Assault Outside Woodbridge Wawa, Indecent Exposure, Arrests, and a Burglary

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 5, 2025 at 1:00PM

A 30-year-old woman reported a Sexual Assault outside the Wawa at 15809 Richmond Highway in Woodbridge late Friday night. Around 11 p.m. on Sept. 1, an unknown man approached her while she was waiting for a ride. He hugged her and inappropriately touched her before leaving the area on a motorcycle. Police are still searching for the suspect, described as a Black man in his early 50s wearing a biker vest with patches.

Prince William Police also responded to several Indecent Exposure incidents on Sept. 4. In Gainesville, a woman hiking in Conway Robinson State Forest encountered a man who exposed himself while running past her. That same day, two separate exposure cases occurred in Woodbridge and Dumfries—one at the Rivergate Apartments and another at Walmart on Richmond Highway. The suspect in both cases matched the same description and left each scene on foot.

Manassas Carjacking Suspect Arrested, Plus Assaults, Gunfire, and School Incident in Dumfries

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 3, 2025 at 4:45PM

Prince William police arrested a Manassas man wanted for a domestic-related carjacking in July. Investigators say Peshwaz Azad Waise, 37, forcefully removed a 63-year-old family member from her car during an argument and drove off. He was taken into custody on Sept. 1 and faces carjacking and assault charges.

Also in Manassas, officers arrested James Roger Thomas Jr., 58, in connection to a July assault at the Rimpal Inn, where a man was beaten after trying to break up a fight. Thomas faces an attempted malicious wounding charge.

Stafford Blotter: Drunken Driver at Sheetz, Assaults, Public Intoxications, Thefts

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 3, 2025 at 4:30PM

A repeat DUI offender was arrested at the Sheetz on Washington Square Plaza after a concerned citizen reported she was “so drunk she couldn’t walk” yet still got behind the wheel. Deputies located the woman, found multiple alcoholic drinks in her vehicle, and charged her with her second DUI and refusal offense in five years. She was held without bond.

Assaults included an incident at Parkridge Pool where a man allegedly tried to “break the jaw” of a juvenile during a verbal fight on the basketball court. In another case, a dispute between a USPS worker and a resident on Park Cove Drive over a package ended with a physical altercation.

Fredericksburg Police Blotter: Strangulation Arrest, Theft, Drug Charges

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 3, 2025 at 9:10AM

A strangulation arrest involving bodily injury led the Fredericksburg Police blotter this week. Officers charged 25-year-old Felicia Lee Rivera of Fredericksburg with the offense.

Other arrests included charges of assault and battery, possession of a controlled substance, public intoxication, and inhaling drugs. Those arrested ranged in age from 20 to 56 and came from Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Spotsylvania.

Prince William Police Blotter: Child Sex Crimes, Shooting at Bar Louie, and Armed Robberies

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 3, 2025 at 8:44AM

[Photo: Alan Gloss]

A man from Woodbridge faces more than a dozen charges, including aggravated sexual battery and indecent liberties, following an investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case involves incidents dating back to 2020 with a victim under the age of 13.

Police also arrested a 17-year-old male after a shooting at Bar Louie in Gainesville, where he and another man were both injured. The juvenile faces multiple serious charges, including aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm in a felony.

Inmate Death, Abandoned Dog, Fatal I-95 Crash

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 27, 2025 at 3:45PM

[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]

A 59-year-old woman died early Tuesday morning after being hospitalized while in custody at the Prince William–Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center. She was booked on August 18 and transported to a hospital on August 25 due to a possible medical condition. Her health declined, and she died on August 27. Police say no foul play is suspected, and an autopsy will be performed.

Also in Prince William County, police are investigating a Felony Animal Cruelty case after a severely emaciated dog was found abandoned in a cage outside the Battlefield Animal Clinic in Manassas. Surveillance footage shows a man in a light-colored Lexus with Maryland plates leaving the animal around 4:18 a.m. on August 25. The dog, a tan and white Pitbull/Husky mix, was humanely euthanized due to its condition.

Death in Rideshare, Shootings, DUI Busts, and Robbery Arrests

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 25, 2025 at 3:50PM

[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]

In Dumfries, police also arrested a 14-year-old boy for a May armed robbery where masked individuals with guns stole shoes during a sale arranged via Instagram. Another armed robbery took place in Woodbridge on August 24, when a teen was held at gunpoint during a basketball meet-up.

Back in Stafford County, multiple DUI arrests made headlines, including a driver caught running a red light while “trying to get to interviews” and another with an open case of beer in the car. An underage driver at a party was also cited for alcohol-related offenses.