The Haymarket Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying two individuals involved in an illegal dumping incident that occurred on Jordan Lane on February 23, 2025, at 4:58 p.m.

According to Chief of Police Allen Sibert, the suspects were seen driving a black Ford F-150 Platinum 4X4 pickup truck at the time of the incident.

Authorities urge anyone with information about the individuals or their whereabouts to contact Officer James Galbreath at [email protected].

Prince William County:

Man Arrested for Abduction, Child Neglect in Domestic Dispute
On March 13, police arrested 26-year-old Naim Arrak in connection with a domestic dispute reported on February 14 at a residence on Brunson Cir in Gainesville. Arrak allegedly assaulted a 27-year-old woman, strangled her, and took her vehicle with their unrestrained child inside. He was charged with abduction, strangulation, child endangerment, unauthorized vehicle use, domestic assault, and preventing emergency services contact.

Gunshot Reported at Woodbridge Apartment Complex
At 12:14 a.m. on March 13, officers responded to the Prospect Cove Condos on Cuddy Loop for a shots-fired call. Witnesses reported a group near the community dumpster when a shot was fired. The group fled the scene, along with a light-colored vehicle. No injuries were reported, but a fence was damaged and a shell casing was recovered.

Burglary in Gainesville Neighborhood
A burglary was reported on March 12 at a home on Sedona Dr. Investigators determined the break-in occurred sometime between February 11 and March 12. A tampered window provided entry, and the homeowner reported missing clothing, jewelry, and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Stafford County:

Snake Stabber Stopped

A pet snake suffered life-threatening injuries after a breaking and entering on Lakeview Drive.

On March 12 at 11 a.m., Stafford deputies responded to a reported burglary in progress. A female suspect was inside the residence armed with scissors and knives. Deputies C.S. Harding and J.L. Jones arrived swiftly and detained Nina Zarin, 21, of Fredericksburg.

During a search, deputies found suspected controlled substances in Zarin’s possession. Further investigation revealed that she unlawfully entered the residence intending to harm a pet snake. While two snakes were unharmed, a four-year-old banana ball python suffered multiple stab wounds, with a knife still lodged in its body.

Animal Control Officer O.J. Martins transported the injured reptile to White Oak Animal Hospital, where veterinarians performed emergency surgery. The snake was returned to its owner and is expected to recover.

Zarin was charged with felony breaking and entering, felony animal cruelty, and possession of controlled substances. She is being held without bond at Rappahannock Regional Jail.

It’s Not Delivery, It’s Di-Fraud

A wanted Stafford man was caught red-handed—and red-sauced—after an alleged pizza fraud scheme.

On March 13 at approximately 8:38 p.m., Deputy B.E. Vaughn responded to a fraud report. The victim reported that his wallet had gone missing the previous day, and now someone was using his credit cards. Upon reviewing the transactions, Deputy Vaughn noticed an unusual trend—numerous Domino’s Pizza orders.

Deputy Vaughn contacted Domino’s security team, who helped track the delivery address for the fraudulent purchases. When the deputy arrived at the suspect’s residence on Oak Drive, he spotted a trash bag filled with empty Domino’s pizza boxes on the porch.

Further investigation led to the suspect’s arrest, though authorities have not yet released his name. The suspect, already wanted for previous offenses, was taken into custody. Charges are pending as the investigation continues.

Two Arrested for Assault at Staybridge Suites

Deputies responded to Staybridge Suites on Richmond Highway at 1:39 a.m. on March 12 for an assault. A dispute over taking out the trash led to two individuals attacking the victim. The male suspect, identified by his “Parental Advisory” hoodie, was found across the street and arrested. Both suspects were charged with assault and battery, as well as assault by mob. The male remains in jail on a $1,000 secured bond, while the female was released on personal recognizance.

Tequila Thief Strikes Again at ABC Store

At 2:25 p.m. on March 12, a known shoplifter struck the ABC store on Publix Way, stuffing an expensive bottle of tequila into his pants before walking out without paying. Surveillance footage confirmed the theft, and authorities are investigating further.

Wanted Man Arrested After Standoff at Sleep Inn

Deputies received a tip about a wanted suspect staying at the Sleep Inn on Warrenton Road. When approached at 12:02 p.m. on March 12, the suspect locked himself inside his room, initially refusing to comply. After some time, he surrendered and was arrested for his outstanding warrant and charged with obstruction of justice. He remains held without bond.

A Stafford County Sheriff’s deputy tackled an unexpected suspect on Thursday afternoon—an injured bald eagle.

A little after 4 p.m. on March 10, Stafford County Sheriff’s Sergeant A.J. McCall and Deputy E.M. Brooks responded to a call near Montague Loop, close to the R-Board Regional Landfill, where an injured eagle, affectionately named “Flappy Gilmore,” was struggling to fly.

Despite his injury, Flappy Gilmore made a valiant effort to escape capture, managing only a few short flights before being intercepted by Sgt. McCall, who has now notched his 24th successful eagle rescue. In a lighthearted nod to the NFL, the sheriff’s office joked that, unlike the Kansas City Chiefs, McCall “was able to tackle an eagle.”

The bird was safely secured and transported to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center for rehabilitation. Officials hope the majestic raptor is suffering from nothing more than a “soar” wing and will be back in the skies soon.

The sheriff’s office praised the quick response of Sgt. McCall and Deputy Brooks, thanking them for their dedication to wildlife rescue.

Watch the amazing video of the rescue here:

The Amazon Fresh grocery store near Manassas will close its doors for the final time on Sunday, March 16, 2025, as part of the company's ongoing evaluation of its physical store strategy. It's the only location of its kind in Prince William County.

Amazon confirmed the closure in a statement, saying:

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The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has released its scheduled road work and lane closure updates for the Fredericksburg District for the week of March 16-22, 2025. All work is weather permitting, and motorists are advised to check 511Virginia for real-time traffic updates.

Interstate 95 Northbound and Southbound
Exit 104 (Carmel Church) to Exit 148 (Quantico)
Monday – Friday, 8 p.m.-5 a.m. – Mobile lane closures for bridge cleaning at the following locations:

Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton)
Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway)
Mile Marker 137
Exit 140 (Courthouse Road)
Mile Marker 144
Monday – Friday, 7 p.m.-7 a.m. – Mobile lane closures for bridge cleaning at:

Exit 104 (Carmel Church)
Mile Markers 117, 119, and 121
Exit 126 (Spotsylvania)
Interstate 95 Southbound
Exit 140 (Courthouse Road) to Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway)

Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Single lane closure between mile markers 138-136 for fiber installation under permit.
Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton) to Exit 130 (Route 3)

Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Single lane closure between mile markers 132-130 for fiber installation under permit.
Exit 130 (Route 3) to Exit 126 (Spotsylvania)

Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Single lane closure between mile markers 128-126 for fiber installation under permit.
Exit 126 (Spotsylvania) Off-Ramp

Sunday – Saturday, 7 p.m.-10 a.m. – Alternating single lane closures on the off-ramp from I-95 southbound to Route 1 for construction to widen the ramp and add a right-turn lane to Route 1 southbound.

City of Fredericksburg

Lafayette Boulevard Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. and Friday, 7 a.m.-noon – Right lane closure between Twin Lake Drive and St. Pauls Drive. Southbound traffic will shift slightly into a dual turn lane.

Spotsylvania County

Route 1 (Arcadia Road to Mudd Tavern Road)

Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Roadway alignment shift for improvements connected with the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions project. Construction will also occur along the road shoulder.
Route 1 Northbound and Southbound (I-95 Southbound Off-Ramp to Southpoint Parkway)

Sunday – Saturday, 7 p.m.-10 a.m. – Alternating single and double lane closures. Single lane closures begin at 7 p.m., double lane closures at 9 p.m.
Route 1 Southbound

Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Single lane closures between I-95 southbound off-ramp and Southpoint Parkway.
Route 608 (Massaponax Church Road)

Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Single lane closure between Hickory Hill Drive and Summit Crossing Road for water main installation under permit.
Route 620 (Harrison Road)

Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Single lane closure between Kingswood Boulevard and Salem Church Road/Leavells Road for water main installation under permit.
Route 639 (Leavells Road)

Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.-6 a.m. – Alternating lane closures for bridge repair at Massaponax Creek.
Southpoint Parkway (Pacific Drive to Route 1)

Sunday – Saturday, 7:30 p.m.-5:30 a.m. and Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – Alternating single lane closures for median installation as part of a safety improvement project. Message boards will alert drivers.
Spotsylvania Parkway (Deep Creek Drive/New Berne Road to Holley Oak Drive/Yellow Birch Drive)

Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – Alternating single lane closures for installation of a pedestrian-activated rapid flashing beacon (RRFB).

Stafford County

Route 1 Northbound (Bridge over Chopawasmic Creek near Prince William County line)

Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Right lane closure for tree work.
Route 1 Northbound and Southbound (Centreport Parkway to Route 17 Business and Route 218 Butler Road)

Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Right lane closures for fiber installation under permit.
Route 17 Southbound (Village Parkway to Hartwood Church Road)

Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Intermittent right lane closures for water and sewer line installation under permit.
Route 607 (Cool Springs Road)

Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Single lane closures between Route 3 Business and Route 218 (White Oak Road) for fiber installation under permit.
Route 654 (Banks Ford Parkway)

Monday – Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. – Alternating lane closures between Celebrate Virginia Parkway and Route 17 for paving.
Route 654 (Berea Church Road) Closure

Closed from Berea Knolls Drive to Theresa Garden Place. Northbound access is closed from Route 17 to Berea Knolls Drive. Construction underway for a Stafford County improvement project.

Route 753 (Enon Road)

Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Single lane closures between Route 1 and Truslow Road for fiber installation under permit.
Route 1968 (Celebrate Virginia Parkway)

Monday – Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. – Alternating lane closures between Route 17 and end of state maintenance for paving.

Motorists are urged to use caution when traveling through these work zones, obey traffic signals, and stay alert for changing conditions. For real-time traffic updates and further details, visit 511Virginia.

The independent review into the fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred on August 1, 2024, in Woodbridge has been completed, with no charges filed against the involved officer.

The regional Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) conducted the investigation and presented its findings to Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth. After a thorough evaluation, Ashworth determined that the officer acted lawfully and that no charges would be pursued.

Following the criminal investigation, the Prince William County Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards will now review the case internally. Additionally, the department’s Use of Deadly Force Review Board will conduct a final assessment to determine whether the shooting was justified and by department policy.

Incident Overview

The shooting stemmed from a report of a suicidal individual on the night of July 31, 2024. At approximately 8:21 p.m., an out-of-state family member called police expressing concerns about their loved one, Gabriel Rene Ramirez, 22, of Woodbridge, who had made suicidal statements and was believed to be armed.

Officers initially searched Ramirez’s home on Caledonia Circle but did not find him. A short time later, they located him at an acquaintance’s residence on Bromley Court, where he was in the backyard in an agitated state, armed with a handgun.

The situation remained contained while members of the Crisis Negotiation Unit and an on-site Community Services clinician attempted multiple times to de-escalate the situation and secure Ramirez’s surrender. Despite efforts—including relaying messages from loved ones—Ramirez did not comply.

Due to his behavior, officers obtained an Emergency Custody Order. Around 5:30 a.m. on August 1, Ramirez pointed his firearm at officers and toward occupied townhomes nearby. In response, a SWAT officer with 4.5 years of service fired a single round, striking Ramirez in the upper body. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers or bystanders were injured.

The officer involved was placed on routine paid administrative leave pending the investigation.

A traffic signal at the intersection of Brady Lane and Cushing Road, near Prince William Parkway and Balls Ford Road near Manassas, has been removed as part of ongoing roadway realignments in the area. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) dismantled the signal on Wednesday, March 12, between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

VDOT stated the signal was no longer necessary due to shifting traffic patterns following the realignment of Balls Ford Road. As part of the project, Balls Ford Road was moved further south, creating a new interchange. The previous section of the road, east of Prince William Parkway (Route 234), was renamed Brady Lane and no longer intersects the parkway.

Drivers use Cushing Road to access a commuter lot next to Interstate 66.

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) has introduced NOVAnext, a comprehensive initiative to assist recently unemployed federal workers and contractors in transitioning to new careers.

“Many talented Northern Virginians are facing sudden, unexpected changes in their professional lives. As the community’s college, NOVA is focused on advancing opportunity, and the current moment has made our mission ever more important. We are honored to play a role in connecting residents across the region to their next steps, helping to build brighter futures,” said NOVA President Anne M. Kress.

NOVAnext is the region’s first program to offer dedicated training funds for unemployed federal workers and contractors. The college is committing up to $1 million in scholarship aid, enabling approved participants to enroll in one of 14 courses at no cost. Additionally, participants can access NOVA-sponsored online workshops on resume writing and job search techniques.

The courses available through NOVAnext prepare students for industry-recognized certifications in IT specialties, program management, and human resources. Other offerings include self-paced online entrepreneurship courses and a new class on Generative AI.

“NOVAnext is a step forward in strengthening our region’s workforce and tackling the challenge of ensuring long-term economic resilience. We commend Northern Virginia Community College for their swift action, empowering laid-off federal employees for future opportunities,” said Julie Coons, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. “We are proud to partner with NOVA on this initiative and remain committed to building a dynamic, adaptable business environment that sustains Northern Virginia’s position as the economic driver for the region.”

To qualify for NOVAnext, applicants must:

• Be a displaced federal worker or contractor laid off on or after February 1, 2025.
• Reside within the NOVA service area, which includes Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park.
• Have lived in Virginia for at least one year to meet FastForward funding requirements.
• Complete an online application, which Virginia Career Works will review.

In addition to enrolling in a NOVAnext class, participants can also enroll in other FastForward or NOVA courses at regular tuition rates and may qualify for additional state financial aid.

The Washington, D.C., metropolitan area is home to a significant number of federal employees. As of December 2024, approximately 375,634 Federal Government employees were working in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metropolitan statistical area.

Prince William County Police Department

Felony Child Neglect & Assault on Law Enforcement
On March 11 at Somerset Pointe Apartments in Gainesville, officers responded to a domestic dispute. Lindsay Jo Halsey, 32, was arrested after leaving three children unsupervised in unsafe conditions. Upon her return, she resisted arrest, assaulting multiple officers and attempting to grab a holstered weapon. She is charged with felony child neglect, assault on law enforcement, and obstruction of justice.

Sexual Assault Investigation
On March 10 at 9:22 PM, police responded to Potomac Mills in Woodbridge, where an unknown man engaged in inappropriate physical contact with an employee. The suspect is described as a Black male with bushy hair, wearing a light-colored sweatshirt, black pants, white Nike shoes, and carrying a grey backpack.

Strong-Arm Robbery
On March 11 at 4:44 PM, a 13-year-old boy was attacked on a walking path near a playground in Woodbridge. Two masked juveniles knocked him to the ground, stole his backpack and shoes, and fled. No injuries were reported.

Assault on Law Enforcement
On March 12 at 12:43 AM in Manassas, Christopher Mikel Hope, 31, is charged with two counts of assault on law enforcement and given a $10,000 unsecured bond, after rocks were thrown at officers.

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

Drug Offenses at Rappahannock Regional Jail
At 1:57 PM, an inmate was found in possession of a controlled substance during a search.

At 4:16 PM, a newly arrived inmate from the US Marshals was found with suspected controlled substances inside her body. Both cases resulted in warrants for possession of an unlawful chemical.

Larceny at Home Depot
On March 11 at 10:06 AM, a suspect stole over $7,000 worth of smoke detectors from Home Depot in Stafford County by placing them in garbage cans and wheeling them out. The suspect fled in a red Buick and is linked to other thefts in neighboring jurisdictions.

Warrant Served for Fraud and False Identification
On March 11 at 2:23 AM, Stafford County deputies arrested a suspect on Ruffian Drive who provided a false identity. Further investigation revealed she was wanted in Fairfax County. She was charged with providing false identification, unlawful name change, and held without bond.

Fire and rescue crews responded to a brush fire near Mills Drive and Overview Drive in the Massaponax area on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Emergency crews were called to the scene around 12:45 p.m. after multiple reports of a large fire near Germanna Community College. Several callers told Potomac Local News they could see a plume of billowing black smoke from Interstate 95.

According to Spotsylvania Fire Chief Jay Cullinan, the fire covered approximately 4-5 acres between a residential subdivision and an industrial development. Large equipment tires caught fire, creating a thick column of dark black smoke.

Firefighters, with assistance from the Virginia Department of Forestry, extinguished the fire after about an hour and a half. Crews plowed a containment line around the fire to prevent flare-ups from spreading. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office urged residents and commuters to avoid the area while crews worked to contain the fire.

Stay with Potomac Local News for further updates.