Manassas City Police Archives - Potomac Local News

Published August 1, 2025 at 3:19PM

MANASSAS, Va. – A 65-year-old man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter following a deadly crash that took place last weekend in Manassas.

Police arrested Jeffrey Fortman on July 31, five days after the crash that killed 72-year-old Earline Steward. The collision happened around 6:05 p.m. on July 26 at the intersection of Ashton Avenue and Godwin Drive. Steward, the only person in her car, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two others from the second vehicle were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Manassas

Exclusive: Manassas Detectives Stop $194K Wire Fraud Targeting Local Nonprofit

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 30, 2025 at 10:28AM | Updated August 1, 2025 at 11:06AM

A quick-thinking team of detectives at the Manassas City Police Department prevented a local nonprofit from losing nearly $200,000 in a sophisticated email fraud scheme.

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Manassas

Come Meet Manassas Police at National Night Out—Food, Fun, and Snow Cones Included

By Potomac Local News

Published July 28, 2025 at 8:00AM

MANASSAS, Va. – The Manassas City Police Department is hosting a free, family-friendly event on Tuesday, August 5, as part of the nationwide National Night Out celebration. The event will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the Manassas Museum Lawn.

National Night Out is designed to promote safer neighborhoods and stronger community ties. Attendees can enjoy free food, snow cones, police demonstrations, and games while getting to know local officers and community partners.

Manassas

Police Blotter: 2-Year-Old Was Found Alone in Woodbridge—Police Are Looking for His Mother

By Potomac Local News

Published July 25, 2025 at 1:15PM

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Police are searching for a woman accused of leaving her 2-year-old son unattended outside a home on Dawson Beach Road. Officers responded to the home around 9:17 p.m. on July 23 after a child was found alone and in poor condition. Authorities say the boy’s mother, 37-year-old Alexandra Anna Granruth, had arranged for someone to look after the child earlier that afternoon but never returned.

When police tried to contact Granruth, she allegedly refused to come back. The child was not injured and was released to known parties. Warrants have been issued for Granruth, who is now wanted for felony child neglect.

Manassas

Manassas GOP Headquarters Vandalized on Independence Day; Police Investigating

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 7, 2025 at 9:15AM

MANASSAS, Va. – The Manassas City Republican Committee headquarters was vandalized on July 4, 2025, in an incident now under investigation by police.

Zachary Murphy, a committee member, discovered the damage shortly before 9:45 a.m., Saturday, July 5, while walking to the city’s farmers market. He had spent the morning decorating the headquarters at 9016 Center Street for Independence Day, hanging an American flag, and putting up patriotic bunting.

Manassas

Sudley Road Reopens After Downed Lines Repaired, Traffic Signals Restored

By Potomac Local News

Published June 30, 2025 at 3:42PM

MANASSAS, Va. – All lanes on Sudley Road are back open following an overhead communications wire issue that forced a full road closure earlier today.

Verizon completed repairs to the overhead lines by 3:29 p.m., and traffic signals are once again operating on their normal timing. City of Manassas Electric crews and police responded to the scene, with initial assistance from Verizon beginning around 1 p.m.

Manassas

Rotary Club Shines Spotlight on Officer Gaines’ Heroic Work in Manassas

By Potomac Local News

Published May 28, 2025 at 10:37AM

MANASSAS, Va. – The Rotary Club of Manassas welcomed local police leadership to its weekly meeting to honor one of the department’s finest: Master Police Officer Kentalle Gaines.

During a recent luncheon at City Tavern in Old Town Manassas, Assistant Chief and Captain Trey Lawler introduced MPO Gaines and presented her with a Rotary recognition plaque. Gaines was recognized for receiving the department’s top accolades—the Sergeant Conner Memorial Award and Officer of the Year.

Manassas

Manassas Police Chief Unveils New Vision for Department, Emphasizing Community Trust and Accountability

By Potomac Local News

Published May 5, 2025 at 10:00AM

MANASSAS, Va. – Manassas City Police Chief Doug Keen has announced a new mission, vision, and set of core values for the department, describing the changes as a foundation for how the city will be policed in the years ahead.

Keen said his recent role as Interim City Manager gave him a broader perspective on the city’s operations and allowed him to reflect on the direction of the police department. While Manassas has earned national recognition through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)—including flagship and gold standard status—Keen said it was time to reevaluate the department’s guiding principles.

Breaking News

BREAKING: False Lockdown Alarm at Osbourn High School in Manassas

By Potomac Local News

Published April 24, 2025 at 10:22AM

Osbourn High School. [Courtesy of Homes.com]

The Manassas City Police Department, which has a school resource officer (SRO) stationed at the school, confirmed that the alert was a false alarm caused by a technology error. Police say they were already on the scene when the alert was issued and remained in constant communication with school administrators throughout the incident.

Manassas City Public Schools also confirmed that the building was secured as a precaution and that the “all-clear” was issued by 9:13 a.m. Normal school operations have since resumed.

Manassas

City Council Commends Manassas Police on Resilience, Crime Stats

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published March 3, 2025 at 6:00AM

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Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.