Plate Reader Leads to Arrest

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Police used automatic license plate readers to find two cars that had been reported stolen, and to put one man behind bars.

About 7 p.m. Monday, police in Lake Ridge got a hit on a stolen car traveling in the area of Old Bridge Road and Springwoods Drive. Officers pursued the car, activating the police cruiser’s lights and sirens, to the area of Marquis Place off Springwoods Drive.

The chase was called off, but the car was later found in the area of Knightsbridge Drive and Plymbridge Lane, according to Prince William police reports.

The car was reported stolen from Fairfax County, and officers called in a police helicopter to help in their unsuccessful search for the driver who apparently fled the scene.

He’s described as black, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 155 pounds, with long hair – possibly in dreadlocks – wearing a white t-shirt, black pants, and a backpack.

About 8 p.m. Sunday, police through their automatic license plate reader got a hit on a stolen car traveling south on Interstate 95 toward Va. 234. The officer followed the car onto Va. 234 and tried to make a stop in the area of Four Seasons Drive, but the driver ignored the officer’s lights and siren and continued west for about a mile to the area of Waterway Drive.

There, as the driver tried to turn onto Waterway Drive, he lost control of his car and crashed into another car that was sitting at the intersection, according to police documents. No serious injuries were reported.

The occupants of the car bailed out and additional officers were called, who were able to find, arrest, and charge one person believed to have been inside the car.

A second person, a 16-year-old male, was later found nearby and is believed to have been the driver but has not been charged.

Victor Manuel Xalteno, 20, of 13443 Millwood Dr in Woodbridge, is charged with possession of stolen property and possession of alcohol by a minor, police documents state. He is scheduled to appear in court May 9.