Prince William police: Shooting Investigation – On May 12 at 7:18 p.m., officers responded to investigate a shooting that was reported to have occurred in the 15300 block of Bronco Way in Dale City earlier that evening. The investigation revealed the victim, a 25-year-old man, and an acquaintance were sitting inside a vehicle in the above area when they were approached by an unknown man. During the encounter, multiple rounds were fired, striking the victim and his vehicle. The acquaintance got out of the vehicle and left on foot with the shooter. The victim was treated at an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries where police were contacted. No additional injuries or property damage were reported.

Suspect Descriptions: A Hispanic male last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans. A Hispanic or black male last seen wearing a blue/grey shirt, tan colored pants, and carrying a firearm inside of a shirt

The U.S. Department of Education has recognized Dale City and Mullen Elementary Schools as 2024 Green Ribbon Schools, making them the only two schools in Virginia to receive the honor.

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Prince William County’s Board of Supervisors easily approved the fiscal year 2025 budget with a few changes on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, to take effect on July 1.

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Prince William police: Fatal Crash Investigation – On April 14 at 8:02 PM, officers responded to 3500 Cranmer Mews in (Dale City) to investigate a single-vehicle crash.

The investigation revealed the driver of a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze was traveling westbound on Dale Blvd. approaching Cherrydale Dr. at a high rate of speed when the driver crossed over the median into the eastbound lanes and struck a guardrail. The vehicle continued through the intersection before driving down into a barrier on Cranmer Mews.

The vehicle struck a tree, flipped over, and rested upside down. The driver of the car and the only occupant of the Chevrolet was pronounced deceased at the scene. Speed and impairment appear to be factors in the crash.

“We do not have toxicology back yet so we can’t say specifically what the impairment was,” a police spokeswoman told us.

Investigators with the Crash Investigation Unit are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash to contact police. The investigation continues.

The deceased driver of the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze was identified as Lavone Rasheed RICHARDSON-CROSBY, 34, of no fixed address.

Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue (Press Release): Last evening, units were dispatched to the 14200 Block of Wilderness Lane  (Dale Forest Apartments) for a fire report in an apartment.

Crews arrived with light smoke in the building. All occupants had safely evacuated the building. A fire was discovered in an apartment and was quickly extinguished. There were no reported injuries.

One apartment unit was declared unsafe to occupy by the building official. The Red Cross assisted the two adults and one child displaced from the impacted unit. The Fire Marshal’s Office determined the cause of the fire was a battery-operated scrubber igniting nearby combustibles.

Residents are invited to attend a rededication ceremony to commemorate the enhancements made to the playground area at Birchdale Community Center. The ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 2 p.m. The Birchdale Community Center, located at 14730 Birchdale Avenue in Dale City, will host the event.

Key improvements to the playground include the replacement of the old equipment with a new playground and the addition of two shelters. These upgrades aim to enhance the recreational facilities available to the community.

The rededication ceremony provides an opportunity for residents to gather and celebrate the improvements made to the Birchdale Community Center playground. All are encouraged to attend and participate in the event.

A Prince William County judge dropped a rape charge against a man accused of raping a 10-year-old girl in Dale City.

Prince William County Circuit Court Judge Carroll A. Weimer Jr. dropped the charge on March 6. The suspect, 40-year-old Bernabe Garcia of Woodbridge, was set to appear for a jury trial on the rape charge from March 18 to 21, 2024.

Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney Amy Ashworth said she had no comment on the case and emailed:

“I do not comment on cases involving juveniles alleged to have been sexually abused as I believe their privacy should be respected. Speaking generally and not specifically about any case, I will tell you that we never “drop” charges – that is not a legal term used when speaking about criminal charges. The Commonwealth may elect to nolle prose or “not prosecute” the charges at this time. This does not prevent charges from being brought back at a later date. The decision to nolle prose a case can be made by a prosecutor for a variety of reasons, such as the unavailability of key witnesses to appear at trial, the need for additional evidence or investigation by the police, the discovery of evidence inconsistent with the original charges, the need for further testing of evidence at the forensics lab, the inability of witnesses to testify, the desire of a victim to not move forward with prosecution, etc. I can assure you that the decision to nolle prose a case is not made lightly and is done in consultation with the victim and the police.”

It’s the second time Ashworth has declined to comment in as many months. Last month, Ashworth refused to comment on The arrest of Jose Rafael Lizama, a 47-year-old resident of Manassas Park, charged in the death of Justin Burns, who was struck and killed while walking near the Old Town Sports Pub in Downtown Manassas on December 2, 2023.

Police arrested Lizama immediately following the crash on December 2, 2023, when he was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Astonishingly, he was released the next day on a personal recognizance.

Police arrested Lizama a second time on February 2, 2024, when Lizama, this time facing charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection to Burns’ death. However, Lizama was released on February 5, 2024, upon posting a $5,000 secured bond.

For the rape case, police charged Garcia On February 16, 2023, when detectives with the Prince William County Police Special Victims Bureau concluded an investigation into a sexual assault that was reported to have occurred at a home in Dale City on January 16 and February 12, 2023. The investigation revealed the female victim, who was under the age of 10 at the time of the offenses, was sexually assaulted by the accused on more than one occasion, police said.

Police said Garcia knew his victim. The victim reported the incident to a family member, who contacted the police, prompting the investigation.

On Friday, March 8, 2024, units were dispatched to the 6100 Block of Oust Lane in Dale City for a reported house. Crews arrived at about 1:30 p.m. to find the occupants out of the home and located the fire in a second-floor bedroom.

Find more information in a Prince William County Fire and Rescue press release:

Hose lines were advanced quickly, and extinguishment was performed. The structure unfortunately sustained moderate damage. No injuries were reported.

The Building Official declared the home unsafe to occupy. The Red Cross responded and assisted the family of 5 adults and 15 children who were displaced. The Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was caused by a candle igniting bedding material.

Allowing an open flame near any combustible material is dangerous. The Fire Marshal’s Office warns against the use of candles. If candles are used special precautions should be taken.

• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Never positioned a candle where it can be easily disturbed or knocked over. Keep the candle at least 3’ from any combustible material.
• Ensure the candle is secured in a sturdy holder where the flame is contained and protected.
• Children and pets should always be monitored in the vicinity of a burning candle.

Suppose the latest idea on the Interstate 95 E-ZPass Lanes comes to fruition. In that case, drivers can access lanes in both directions during rush hours, creating a busier highway transportation system while offering more choices to drivers.

In the plan, there will be two lanes heading in the rush hour direction and one the opposite way. The details for this more accessible travel plan, as are many other factors, including construction, are still in the works.

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Authorities have apprehended the suspect linked to a reported sexual assault in Dale City. Identified as Alexander Maximiliano Soto Hernandez, 42, of Dale City, the individual was taken into custody on February 27 in North Plainfield Borough, New Jersey.

Soto Hernandez faces charges including two counts of aggravated sexual battery, one count of forcible sodomy, and one count of abduction with intent to defile. His court date is pending, and he remains incarcerated.

The incident, which occurred on February 26 at 7:50 a.m., prompted law enforcement response to a residence in Dale City. A female victim, awakened by the accused wielding a knife in her room, endured a sexual assault.

Managing to escape, she sought refuge with a neighbor who promptly notified authorities. The suspect fled the scene in a Dodge Caravan, originally silver but later painted black aftermarket, bearing New Jersey license plates.

Further investigation revealed that the accused had been renting the basement of the same residence as the victim.