The founder of a Manassas business has agreed to pay $1 million to settle allegations of falsifying payroll amounts to obtain inflated loans through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. The settlement follows a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, with a whistleblower set to receive a share of the settlement.
Press Release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia:
On October 18, 2024, deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash on Shepherds Road, resulting in the death of the driver, a 49-year-old male. The incident is under investigation by the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team.
Press Release from Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office:
A New Mexico man was found intoxicated behind the wheel of an RV on October 16, prompting deputies to conduct a traffic stop. An inventory search revealed five firearms, multiple controlled substances, and items linked to drug transactions, leading to numerous charges, including driving under the influence and drug trafficking.
Press Release from Stafford County Sheriff’s Office:
A suspect was arrested on October 15 for a strong-arm robbery that occurred on September 15 near Manassas. An additional suspect was arrested earlier, and both face charges related to the incident. In addition, on October 16, officers responded to a robbery at a Shell service station near Woodbridge, where an unknown man pushed an employee and stole money before fleeing.
Press Release from Prince William Police Department:
On October 16, officers found two adults and two girls in a vehicle in Woodbridge, where suspected illegal drugs were accessible to the children. The adults were arrested and charged with child neglect and drug possession, while the children were treated at a hospital but were not injured.
Press Release from Prince William Police Department:
Two burglaries in the Spotsylvania Courthouse area were reported recently, leading to a suspect being charged after detectives executed a search warrant in the Spotslee Subdivision. James Edward Romick Jr., 47, faces multiple counts related to the burglaries at Spotsylvania Middle School and Revive Ministries, where stolen items, including a firearm, were recovered.
Press Release from Spotsylvania Police:
Press Release from Prince William Police Department:
Aggravated Malicious Wounding *ARREST – On October 15, the suspect, identified as Makahyla Lynn MUTZ, who was sought in connection to the stabbing that was reported to have occurred in 14500 block of Richmond Hwy. in Woodbridge (22191) on September 9, was arrested.
On October 8, 2024, a suspect turned himself in to police in connection with residential shootings that occurred on April 7, 2023, in Dale City. The individual faces multiple charges related to the incidents, which were linked to gang activity, and the investigation is ongoing as detectives seek additional suspects.
Press Release from Prince William Police Department:
From the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office:
On October 11, 2024, David Rodriguez, 40, of Manassas, was arrested at a Sheetz gas station in Fredericksburg after officers responded to reports of erratic behavior and an attempt to set items on fire. Upon officers’ arrival, Rodriguez grabbed a gas pump nozzle while holding a lighter but was swiftly restrained. He was charged with arson, vandalism, trespassing, shoplifting, obstruction of justice, and property damage.
Fredericksburg police press release:
