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.
Initial findings suggest that the driver of a 2016 Toyota Corolla was traveling southbound on Route 1. at a high speed when the vehicle veered out of control. The Corolla crossed over the median into the northbound lanes, colliding with a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica.
The sole occupant of the Corolla, a 17-year-old male juvenile from Woodbridge, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and a passenger in the Pacifica suffered injuries and were taken to a hospital for treatment, with their conditions reported as non-life threatening.
Prince William County Police Department is offering a reward for information concerning the fatal hit-and-run crash on February 24 in the vicinity of Minnieville Road and Bobcat Court in Dale City.
The incident led to the death of 27-year-old Carla Andrea Mejia, of Woodbridge, who was walking along the roadway. Investigators recovered vehicle parts believed to belong to a 2009-2012 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV or 2009-2013 Kia Sorento SUV, silver or light in color, with possible damage to the front end, wheel well, and/or undercarriage areas.
The Prince William County Police Department is sounding the alarm over the increase in pedestrian-related crashes in 2024.
Find more in a Prince William Police Department press release:
Prince William police: Officers responded to investigate a dog found at C. Lacey Compton Neighborhood Park located at 17301 River Ridge Blvd. in Woodbridge (22191) at 10:30 am on March 2.
The investigation revealed an extremely emaciated dog was left at the park by an unknown man who then drove away in a newer model white Range Rover. A Good Samaritan took the dog to the PWC Animal Services Center, where the dog, identified as a male mixed-breed Hound dog between 6 and 12 months old, received medical care and is resting comfortably now.
— Stafford County Sheriff’s Office report
Prince William County
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.
“The investigation revealed that the victim, a 27-year-old female, was walking in the westbound lane of Minnieville Road, wearing all dark clothing, when she was struck by a vehicle. The striking vehicle did not stop at the scene. Fire and rescue personnel responded to the scene where the pedestrian was pronounced deceased.”
“The vehicle is believed to be an unknown model Hyundai. No further information on the driver or striking vehicle is available at this time. Investigators with the Crash Investigation Unit are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash to contact police. The investigation continues.”
Strong-Arm Robbery
On February 20 at 10:46AM, officers responded to the 13600 block of Foulger Sq in Woodbridge (22192) to investigate an assault. The investigation revealed the victim, a 20-year-old woman, and an acquaintance, identified as the accused, were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated. During the encounter, the accused forcibly grabbed the victim’s cell phone and car keys from her possession. The parties eventually separated, and the victim contacted police. Following the investigation, officers obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as Michael IPANAQUE CORONADO, who was arrested the next day.
The FBI Washington Field Office and Prince William County Police Department are renewing their efforts to gather information regarding the murder of G. Marisol Coca-Romero, who was fatally shot a decade ago at a convenience store in Woodbridge.
On this day in 2014, three unidentified men entered the store where Coca-Romero and her co-worker were working and opened fire, resulting in her death. Her co-worker was also injured in the incident and was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
