Crime

Prince William

A drunk killed a Woodbridge man, 45, and his dog in June 2022 crash

By Amelia Breeden
The driver of a crashed car on Old Bridge Road is charged in the death of a man who was walking his dog. [Photo: Wayne Foscue]

“The Defendant will be sentenced on November 16, 2023. Members of the victim’s family will present victim impact testimony at that time. The Defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years in prison.”

“In the early evening hours of June 18, 2022, the Defendant, Gentil Mwenze Banze, was driving his motor vehicle westbound on Old Bridge Road. Witnesses described the Defendant’s vehicle as swerving in and out of his lane of travel, almost striking other vehicles, before veering to the right and leaving the roadway.”

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News

OC spray through open sunroof, driver charged

By Amelia Breeden
A Stafford County Sheriff's' patrol car.

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office: “On July 8th at 2:16 a.m. Sergeant K.P. Lytle was assisting another deputy with a DUI investigation at the divergent diamond of Courthouse Road when he observed a Chevy Cruz turn westbound into the eastbound lanes. Sgt. Lytle ran back to his patrol car and conducted a traffic stop on the wayward driver near the I-95 South off-ramp.”

“The driver was identified as a 42-year-old male from Stafford and had slurred speech and glassy eyes. There was also the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the Chevy. Sgt. Lytle obtained the suspect’s information and returned to his patrol car to await his back-up unit, Deputy R.T. Philippsen.”

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News

Firearms crimes surging in Fredericksburg; police crack down

By Amelia Breeden

Fredericksburg police: “After experiencing two firearms-related homicides within a three-month timespan, the Fredericksburg Police Department increased its enforcement efforts against people in possession of illegal firearms and/or illicit drugs.”

“If you own a firearm, store it safely and do not leave it in an unlocked vehicle. There have been several police reports this summer where guns were stolen from unlocked cars. If you want to surrender an unwanted firearm voluntarily, bring it to Fredericksburg Police Headquarters anytime, day or night.”

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Prince William

‘They let a monster walk;’ Top prosecutor blames police, claims it mishandled evidence

By Uriah Kiser
Ashworth

WRC-TV: “A Virginia man who pleaded guilty to killing a young Marine is free just two years after the shooting, and prosecutors in Prince William County blame investigators for failing to turn over key evidence in time.”

“But prosecutors said there were problems with some of the police evidence before the trial began. Midway through the trial, prosecutors say police suddenly mentioned a Ring camera video that had never been documented or turned over as required. The defense attorney filed a motion to dismiss.”

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News

Manassas provides details of Monday’s police activity in Georgetown South

By Uriah Kiser

Press release: “At approximately 2:00 pm on Monday, July 3rd, the Manassas City Police Department received a call regarding a male subject who had been assaulted by four suspects at the 9000 block of Pickett Lane. The victim stated that a pistol was used in the robbery. The assailants fled on foot before police arrival. During the investigation, the Manassas City Police Department deployed a drone and K9 Unit to observe and track these individuals. The suspects were not apprehended and the investigation is ongoing.”

We first reported the police activity on Monday, July 3, 2023.

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Originals

Homeless, crime has ‘impacted’ newly opened Sprouts Farmers Market

By Uriah Kiser
A ribbon cutting for Sprouts Farmers Market, at 8431 Sudley Road near Manassas on May 12, 2023.

Sprouts Farmers Market, the newest grocer to open in Prince William County and the only one of its kind in the region, has been welcomed by crime, said Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega.

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Prince William

Crime in Prince William worsens; ‘Neighbors are scared to go outside to walk their dog’

By Uriah Kiser
Sudley Road looking north to Interstate 66, now a busy, crime-ridden area of Prince William County

Insidenova.com: “Prince William County law enforcement and social services officials met with Manassas-area business leaders and property owners Thursday to discuss concerns with an uptick in crime along the Sudley and Balls Ford Roads corridor.”

“Sachin Behl, owner of a 7-Eleven located at the corner of Balls Ford and Sudley roads, described recurring instances of customers harassing employees, with one most recently breaking glass and stealing merchandise. Carolanne Petrusiak, chief financial officer of McKay Used Books located on Sudley Road, told of how people who do drugs behind the shop harass her employees while they take out the trash.”

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Prince William

Shooting victim found at hotel near Manassas NOVA campus

By Uriah Kiser

“At one point during the encounter, the accused retrieved a firearm and shot the victim. The victim then left the room and the occupants of a nearby hotel room notified the police. Officers located the accused outside of the hotel and detained her without incident. No additional injuries or property damage were reported. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Jasmine CORTES, was arrested.

“Arrested on July 3: Jasmine CORTES, 26, of no fixed address. Charged with aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond.”

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Prince William

Female fugitive nearly strikes cop while fleeing Dumfries house party

By Uriah Kiser

Prince William police: “Attempted Malicious Wounding on a Law Enforcement Officer [LEO] – On July 1 at 2:17PM, officers responded to the 16700 block of Interstate Dr. in Dumfries (22026) for a report of a large party occurring in the area. As officers were investigating, they observed a woman, identified as the accused, who was actively wanted.”

“When officers attempted to make contact with the accused, she got into a vehicle and drove the vehicle towards the officers. The officers, and a nearby 37-year-old man, were able to quickly get out of the way to avoid being struck by the accused. As the accused fled the area, she struck multiple unoccupied parked vehicles before placing the vehicle in reverse and almost striking another officer. The accused fled the area at a high rate of speed. Following the investigation, officers obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as McKayla Nicole STRAIT. Attempts to locate the accused have been unsuccessful.”

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News

Hotel says guest broke their washing machines

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo: Stafford sheriff's office]

“On June 30th at approximately 7:50 p.m. Deputy D.L. Brookman responded to the Comfort Inn, located at 541 Warrenton Road, for a report of a vandalism. Staff advised a guest broke their washing machines. Deputy Brookman reviewed camera footage of the washing assault in which the suspect pushes on the washing machine door until it broke off the hinges. Another washing machine was also damaged.”

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