Two events of larceny, drugs, and one case of fraud have occurred in Stafford County, according to a press release from the Sheriff’s office.
Here is what we know:
“LARCENY
New Hope Church Road 07/14 8:47 a.m. A resident reported the theft of a package from their
residence. The incident is under investigation.Anita Drive 07/14 8:34 p.m. A resident reported that two bicycles were stolen from their
property. The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact
Deputy M. W. Taylor at 540-658-4400.FRAUD
Drum Court 07/14 9:19 a.m. A resident reported that an unknown person or persons opened a
fraudulent account under their identity. The incident is under investigation.DRUGS
Petroleum Lane 07/14 8:07 a.m. Sergeant J. J. Kreider observed a Dodge pick-up truck travelling
on Warrenton Road that returned having an expired registration. Additionally, the registered
owner of the vehicle returned with a suspended driverâs license and wanted through Stafford
County. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle on Petroleum Lane. The driver of the
vehicle was identified as Matthew Taylor, 38 who was the registered owner of the vehicle. In
plain view, Sergeant Kreider observed drug paraphernalia. Taylor was placed into custody and a
subsequent search of the vehicle yielded additional narcotics evidence. Taylor was arrested for
possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving suspended.
Taylor was also served on his active warrant. Taylor was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail
on a secured bond.Butler Road 07/13 10:06 p.m. Deputy D. A. Earp, Jr. responded to this area for a report of a
subject acting erratically inside of a vehicle. Deputy Earp located the vehicle and made contact
with the driver, Everett Sheetz, 52. Immediately, Deputy Earp observed narcotics paraphernalia
in plain view inside of the vehicle. Sheetz was detained and a search of the vehicle was
conducted which yielded additional narcotics evidence. Sheetz was arrested for possession of a
controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and public intoxication. Sheetz was held
at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a secured bond.”
Anyone with information regarding the crimes above is asked to contact the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office at (540) 658-4400. Updates on these crimes can be found on their social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
One man is dead and another in a local hospital after reports of a shooting in Lake Ridge.
The crime happened on Tuesday, July 14, at 10:15 p.m., when officers responded to Valleywood Drive and Colebrook Lane in Lake Ridge to investigate reports of gunfire. According to a Prince William County Police Department press release, one man was located nearby on Oakwood Drive suffering from a gunshot wound.
Police said officers began to use trauma kits and conducted CPR on the victim until rescue personnel arrived on the scene. The wounded man was identified as a 19-year-old and was transported to a local area hospital where he later died from his injuries, according to police. Â The suspect and motives against victims have not been announced.
Police stated that while they were investigating the incident, another man arrived at a local area hospital, who was also suffering from gunshot injuries. Detectives from the Violent Crimes Bureau are actively investigating the incident to determine what led up to the shooting.
Police have determined that this incident appears to be isolated to the aforementioned intersection and does not appear to be a random event.
More information will be released when available. The investigation continues.
Police urge anyone with information regarding this homicide is asked to contact the Prince William County Police Department tipline at 703.792.7000 or submit a web-tip to pwcgov.org.
Two unrelated Stafford women won the top prizes for two different lottery games and both plan on spending it on a new house.
 Anya Dennis received a phone call from her husband excitingly telling her that they matched all five numbers for the Cash 5 Lottery Game. According to a Virginia Lottery press release, the couple had bought 12 tickets for an upcoming June 14 drawing with all the same numbers.
Since they had won the top prize of $100,000 for those exact five numbers they chose 12 tickets for, they won total winnings of $1.2 million, according to Virginia Lottery’s press release. When officials at Virginia Lottery asked about Dennis’ reaction, she stated the following:
âI was screaming. I thought, âThis can not be real!ââ
The press release states that all 12 winning tickets were bought at the 7-Eleven at 4800 Dale Boulevard in Dale City. The winning numbers for that drawing were 9-13-19-26-29.
Dennis told Virginia Lottery officials that she intends to use the winnings to buy a house and pay for their two daughters’ college. According to the press release, when asked about why Dennis and her husband bought 12 tickets with the same numbers, she stated:
âWe just went out on a limb,â she said.
Cash 5 drawings are held daily at 1:59 p.m. and 11 p.m. The odds of winning the $100,000 top prize are 1 in 278,256.
Ironically, another Stafford woman won a lottery game. Michelle Rivera scratched a Lucky 7s Cash Blowout ticket from the Virginia Lottery  and when she realized sheâd just won the gameâs $2,777,777 top prize, she couldnât contain her excitement as stated in a Virginia Lottery press release.
âI kept saying, âI canât believe I won!ââ she told Lottery officials as she claimed her prize. âThe clerk told me to stop saying I won out loud and go home!â
According to the press release, Rivera waited more than four months before redeeming her ticket. She said she took the time to make a financial plan for her winnings.
The Virginia Lottery press release stated that she had the choice of taking the $2,777,777 prize in annual payments over 30 years or a one-time cash option of $1,671,346 before taxes. She chose the annual payments.
The press release stated that she bought her winning ticket at the 7-Eleven at 910 Garrisonville Road in Stafford. Luck 7s Cash Blowout is one of dozens of Scratchers currently offered by the Virginia Lottery.
Lucky 7s features prizes ranging from $20 up to $2,777,777. According to the press release, Rivera is the first player to redeem a top prize winning ticket in this game, which means two more are unclaimed.
The odds of winning that top prize are 1 in 979,200, while the odds of winning any prize in this game are 1 in 3.11. Rivera stated to Virginia Lottery officials that she intends to buy a house and pay off debt with her winnings.
The Prince William County Police Department is holding their 37th National Night Out to bring the community and police department together.
According to a press release from the police department, this event will take place on Tuesday, August 4, with social distancing being practiced. With the coronavirus still interfering in everyday life, police have stated that they will not let citizens into their vehicles compared to previous years.
The department urges citizens to lock their doors, turn on their outdoor lights, and spend the evening with fellow neighbors and families. According to a press release from the police department, the event will be a ‘symbol that community and law enforcement are essential to neighborhood quality of life,’
In times of protest and tense relationships between the police and citizens, this event may be a chance to bridge the gap as police say this event can build positive relationships between the community and the Police Department.
“[National Night Out] creates healthy neighborhoods block by block, to help neighbors know one another, to celebrate community, and to take steps to make neighborhoods safer for all residents,” police said.
Another goal of National Night Out along with Neighborhood Watch Programs is to enhance the quality of life and to create a neighborhood network to prevent crime, according to police.
“Watches throughout the county will host motorcade stops where police officers and other law enforcement personnel can meet neighbors,” police stated.
For questions, concerns, and additional information, police advise calling the Crime Prevention Unit at 703-792-7270.
A family altercation turned violent when a suspect struck a family member multiple times before throwing knives at the victim.
A press release from Prince William County Police Department stated that the crime occurred on Saturday, July 11, when officers arrived at a home located at 14000 Block of Mathews Drive in Woodbridge. According to police, a domestic dispute was called into police by a victim in the household.
The 37-year-old male victim stated to police that he and a family member had begun to argue with each other, and it quickly escalated into violence. The victim reported to the police that the family member began to strike him multiple times before grabbing knives and throwing them towards him.
The victim reported only minor injuries on his body. Police were able to find the suspect, Majeed Shokuh, 35, in nearby the house and arrested him without a struggle.
Shokuh was charged with attempted malicious wounding along with domestic assault and battery. He is currently pending on a court date.
The Virginia Cooperative Extension-Prince William has received $75,000 in grant funding from Virginia Housing to support the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Financial Education and Housing Counseling program.
According to Keith Walker, a Communications Analyst for the Office of Executive Management, the grant helps the Prince William Cooperative Extension office with the emergency support funds to maintain service delivery for HUD housing counseling agencies, which he believes will be utilized by more and more people due to the current global pandemic.
“As COVID-19 continues to impact residents in multiple ways, there are more and more people who may find themselves in need of counseling,” said Walker.
“Their [the program’s] services are far-reaching and helpful, especially for those who are not comfortable navigating the system as a first-time homebuyer. They also help people who are going into foreclosure and need mortgage counseling or rental counseling,” said Paige Thacker, a cooperative exentsion agent.
The grant funds will be going toward the program’s manager and HUD counselor, as well as grant staff who support the program. Prince William County funds the Financial Education and Housing Counseling program through Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE), but VCE also seeks and uses grants to help broaden the program.
“In addition to the program manager and HUD counselor, we have six other grant staff who support the program. These funds will cover our grant staff who provide housing counseling for the next two months,” said Thacker.
Citizens can talk anytime with one of VCE’s four HUD-certified counselors for help regarding housing or rental issues, assistance with a foreclosure or potential foreclosure, or information on creating saving accounts, improving credit reports, or help managing income.
Contact VCE’s Prince William Financial Education and Housing Counseling program at 703-792-6287 or email [email protected]. For more information, visit pwcgov.org.”The county recognizes that individuals need it, so they fund the program manager and the HUD housing counseling position, and we supplement the program with grants.”
Stafford County saw multiple crimes happening on July 10 and 11 involving larceny, vandalism, a hit and run, drugs, and a DUI.
Major Shawn Kimmitz from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office sent us a press release detailing the criminal activity that occurred. Here is what we know:
“LARCENY
Walmart, 217 Garrisonville Road, 07/10 5:00 p.m. The Sheriffâs Office was contacted by the
companyâs loss prevention officer regarding a female who had shoplifted items from the store.
The female was seen leaving in a vehicle and a vehicle description was provided. Deputy K.
Voellmar located the vehicle at an adjacent business where a traffic stop was initiated. Through
Deputy F. A. Martinezâs investigation, the female was identified as Hope Valenzuela, 28, who
was wanted on charges through Prince William County. The items that were stolen from the
business were recovered. Valenzuela was arrested for shoplifting and was also served on her
outstanding warrants. Valenzuela was held in the Rappahannock Regional Jail under no bond.
Walmart, 11 Village Parkway, 07/11 4:37 p.m. Deputy M. E. Gordon responded to the business
for a subject caught by loss prevention attempting to shoplift items from the store. The suspect
was identified as Natanael Gonzalez, 18. Gonzalez was released on a summons for shoplifting.VANDALISM
Parkway Boulevard 07/10 4:25 p.m. An unknown person or persons used a rock to break the
window of a vehicle parked in this area. The incident is under investigation. Anyone with
information is asked to contact Deputy E. C. Taylor at 540-658-4400.HIT AND RUN
Eley Road 07/10 7:13 p. m. A resident reported that a vehicle had struck their mailbox and fled
the scene. A witness to the incident described the suspect vehicle as a grey Toyota pickup truck.
The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Deputy N. R.
Stachurski at 540-658-4400.DRUGS
Washington Square Plaza 07/10 10:27 p.m. The Sheriffâs Office received a lookout from King
George County for a blue four-door Mazda that was involved in a hit and run incident.
Additionally, information was provided that the vehicleâs registered owner was wanted through
the Virginia State Police. The vehicle was located by Deputy W. M. Isenberg travelling
westbound on Kings Highway. A traffic stop was initiated in the area of Washington Square
Plaza and the driver was identified as Brittany Corbin, 26. It was confirmed that Corbin was
wanted through the Virginia State Police. Corbin was taken into custody and during the
subsequent search of the vehicle, marijuana and other narcotics was located. Items consistent
with the distribution of narcotics were also located. Corbin was arrested for possession with the
intent to distribute a controlled substance, driving on a suspended license, and driving with
defective equipment. Corbin was served on her outstanding warrants from the Virginia State
Police and held in the Rappahannock Regional Jail under no bond.DUI
Garrisonville Road 07/11 9:21 p.m. Deputy F. A. Martinez was on proactive patrol in this area
when he observed a Hyundai Sonata failing to maintain its lane of travel. A traffic stop was
conducted on the vehicle and the driver was identified as Michael Tran, 46. Tran had bloodshot,
glassy eyes, slurred speech, and an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath. Field
Sobriety Tests were performed and Tran was arrested for DUI and failure to maintain lane of
travel. Tran was given an unsecured bond.”
Stafford County police urge citizens with any further information regarding the cases above to contact the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office at 540-658-4400.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney, Amy Ashworth, has announced charges for the suspect in a fatal car accident that occurred on May 1, at Cardinal Drive in Prince William County that resulted in the death of Deborah Lynn Talbot.
According to a press release from the Office of Commonwealth’s Attorney, the suspect, identified, as Cierra Dickerson, 19, has been charged with the following:
“⢠One count of Involuntary Manslaughter under Virginia Code § 18.2-36 (Involuntary
Manslaughter carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $2500 fine)⢠One count of Racing Involving Death under Virginia Code §§ 46.2-865 and 46.2-865.1
(Racing Involving Death carries a potential sentence of 1 to 20 years in prison)⢠One count of Reckless Driving – Too Fast for Conditions under Virginia Code § 46.2-861
(Reckless Driving carries a potential sentence of up to one year in jail and a $2500 fine)⢠One count of Reckless Driving â Failure to Maintain Proper Control under Virginia Code
§ 46.2-853 (Reckless Driving carries a potential sentence of up to one year in jail and a
$2500 fine)The charges in an indictment include allegations that a defendant has committed a crime.
Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The fatal incident occurred when Dickerson drove off the roadway while speeding and hit Talbot while she was walking her dog. Talbot was then flown to a local hospital where she ultimately died from her injuries.
Dickerson will face trial on July 17 in Manassas.
REALTOR Association of Prince William County (PWAR) has announced an increase in home sales on the market in June 2020, compared to June 2019.
The association has gathered statistics showing this positive trend using SmartCharts with data provided by Bright MLS, which serves as a multiple listing service for Prince William County.
The data is as follows:
