Stafford County Sheriff’s Office Incidents
McDUI in Fast Food Drive-Thru
On January 24, 2025, at 12:25 a.m., Sergeant E.E. West responded to a single-vehicle crash at the McDonald’s on Wonder Road. An intoxicated driver, identified as Juan Gomez Alvarez, 38, of North Carolina, entered the drive-thru at a high rate of speed, struck a sign, and came to rest at an awkward angle, blocking the lane.
Gomez Alvarez displayed red, glassy eyes and had a strong odor of alcohol. The investigation revealed that he had been convicted of DUI in New York just the previous day, making this his second offense in five years. He was charged with DUI second offense, refusal, and destruction of property and was taken to Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
Authorities remind residents to plan for a designated driver before going out. Don’t drive drunk
Malicious Wounding and Brandishing a Firearm
On January 23, 2025, at 2:45 a.m., deputies responded to a disturbance on Malvern Lakes Circle. A male suspect broke the victim’s cellphone, leading to a verbal argument that escalated into an assault. During the incident, the suspect brandished a firearm toward friends of the victim. Deputies detained the suspect and charged him with malicious wounding, two counts of assault and battery, destruction of property, and brandishing a firearm. He is being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
Hit-and-Run on Taylors Hill Way
At 3:02 p.m. on January 23, deputies investigated a hit-and-run involving a mailbox on Taylors Hill Way. A resident reported hearing a loud noise and later discovered her mailbox had been destroyed. Witnesses described the suspect’s vehicle as a black Jeep, which fled the scene. Authorities are investigating this incident.
Drive Under the Influence of “Coffee”
At approximately 2:00 a.m. on January 23, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a Jeep near Warrenton Road and Hartwood Church Road for a traffic violation. Deputy C.A. Sharp engaged with the driver, Stanford Miles, 49, of Stafford, who exhibited slurred speech, red, glassy eyes, and the odor of alcohol. When asked about his alcohol consumption, Miles claimed he had consumed “coffee,” though his behavior suggested otherwise.
Field sobriety tests were conducted, and Miles was arrested for his fourth DUI offense, with a blood alcohol content above .2. Miles, who has three prior DUI convictions, was charged and taken to Rappahannock Regional Jail, where he is being held without bond.
DUI Arrest in Aquia Harbour
On January 22, 2025, at 8:55 p.m., a traffic stop on Aquia Drive in Aquia Harbour revealed an intoxicated driver, Devon Mulgrew, 35, of Stafford. Mulgrew refused to exit his vehicle and rummaged through the glove box. An Aquia Harbour Officer removed him from the vehicle and restrained him on the ground.
Mulgrew was charged with DUI, possession of a controlled substance, obstruction, possession of controlled paraphernalia, refusal, a traffic lane violation, and a traffic sign violation. He further escalated the situation by assaulting a deputy at the Magistrate’s Office, resulting in an additional charge of assault and battery on law enforcement. He is being held without bond at Rappahannock Regional Jail.
Prince William County Police Incidents
Attempted Malicious Wounding Arrest in Woodbridge
On January 23, 2025, at approximately 8:48 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 2100 block of Port Potomac Avenue in Woodbridge to investigate an assault. A verbal altercation between a 52-year-old woman and an acquaintance escalated when the suspect brandished a knife and attempted to cut the victim. A struggle ensued, and the victim sustained minor injuries.
The suspect, Hillery Hurst Thomas, 47, of Greenbelt, was arrested and charged with attempted malicious wounding and assault and battery. He is being held without bond.
Manassas Police Incidents
The Manassas City Police Department is seeking assistance from the public in locating Diego Esquivel Martinez, who is wanted on several felony counts of check fraud.
In September 2023, Esquivel Martinez allegedly cashed several fraudulent checks at a local business, causing the business to lose thousands of dollars. Authorities are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the Manassas City Police at 703-257-8000.
For those who wish to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to the Manassas City/Manassas Park Crime Solvers. The organization offers a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in these cases. Anonymous tips can be provided via the confidential 24-hour tip line at 703-330-0330 or through the P3 Tips app.
To submit a tip using the app, scan the QR code or visit https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=271.
Contact Information:
- Prince William County Police Department: 703-792-7000 or pwcva.gov/policetip
- Stafford County Sheriff’s Office: 540-658-4450 or follow updates on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
- Manassas City Police Department: 703-257-8000
From the Stafford sheriff’s office:
A 48-year-old Woodbridge woman earned her fourth DUI after deciding to exit I-95 into Stafford County.
On October 25th at approximately 11:50 p.m. Deputy C.A. Osborne responded to a drunk driver complaint. The caller advised a Toyota was serving around traffic and nearly struck two vehicles while traveling South on I-95. Luckily, the driver decided to take the 140 exit and proceeded towards Wonder Road. That is when Deputy Osborne located the vehicle and made contact with the driver.
The driver, identified as Blanca Azucena Herrera Argueta, had signs of intoxication, including glassy, bloodshot eyes and the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her breath. She would state her cousin was actually the driver, but magically disappeared right before Deputy Osborne arrived. When that lie was dissolved, field sobriety tests began.
Herrera was detained and transported to the Sheriff’s Office for a blood draw. There, she would resist and began rolling around on the floor in an attempt to delay the procedure. After her performance, she was transported to Rappahannock Regional Jail. There she was charged with driving under the influence fourth offense within ten years, second offense refusal, obstruction of justice, driving after forfeiture of her license, and driving while revoked. She was held without bond.
We first told you about this crash, which happened on Sunday night.
A 31-year-old Summerduck man, John Bruton III, faces multiple charges, including a felony, after a DUI-related head-on collision on Warrenton Road, resulting in severe injuries to himself and an adult passenger in the other vehicle. Bruton is being held without bond at Rappahannock Regional Jail pending his release from a hospital.
Press release:
A 31-year-old Summerduck man received numerous charges, including a felony, after causing a DUI related crash Sunday night.
On August 11th approximately 9:32 p.m. Deputy C.R. Newman responded to the intersection of Warrenton Road and Cardinal Forest Drive for a “really bad” auto accident. It was advised the crash was head on and the suspect vehicle was on fire. When Deputy Newman arrived, he located both vehicles disabled in the roadway with heavy damage.
Witnesses advised the driver of the Nissan Altima was swerving in and out of traffic while traveling Northbound on Warrenton Road at a high rate of speed. The reckless driving would continue as the driver drove through a red light and struck the Chevy Malibu, which was occupied by two adults and two children. The driver of the Nissan and an adult passenger in the Malibu sustained numerous injuries, including fractured bones, and had to be transported to a nearby hospital. Within the Nissan, Deputy Newman observed an empty mini-bottle of Tito’s vodka. The driver, identified as John Bruton III, admitted to consuming four of those bottles as he was driving.
Bruton was charged with maiming while driving intoxicated, aggressive driving, failure to wear a seatbelt, failure to obey a traffic signal, and improper lane change. He will be held without bond at Rappahannock Regional Jail pending his release from the hospital.
The Occoquan Police Department detailed the incident in a statement: “In the early morning of July 27, 2024, a member of the Occoquan Police Department working a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) impaired driving enforcement grant detail made contact with Matthew B. Lowery of Woodbridge, Virginia. Mr. Lowery, at the time, was operating a motor vehicle upon a highway within the Town of Occoquan. Following the contact, Mr. Lowery was arrested for driving under the influence under 18.2-266 and refusal of a test to determine blood alcohol content under 18.2-168.3. Mr. Lowery was transported to the Prince William County Adult Detention Center, where he was processed and released on a $2,000 bond.”
The police statement continued, noting that Lowery did not identify as a Deputy Commonwealth Attorney during the arrest: “Since that time, the Town Police have learned that Mr. Lowery is a Deputy Commonwealth Attorney for Loudoun County. At no time did Mr. Lowery identify himself as a deputy commonwealth attorney. At the time of the contact and arrest, Mr. Lowery was a private citizen, and this matter is not related to any official misconduct.”
The Loudoun County Commonwealth Attorney’s office also released a statement regarding the charges: “This past weekend, Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Matthew B. Lowery was charged in Prince William County with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and refusal of a breath test. We are abiding by Loudoun County Department of Human Resources’ protocols and will not be making any further statements on this matter.”
Lowery’s attorney, Bradley Marshall, briefly commented: “We have no comment about this pending matter at this time, but we believe strongly in the justice system and the presumption of innocence.”
Lowery, a Republican, ran an unsuccessful campaign for Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney in 2023. His campaign focused on rising crime rates in the county, criticizing the current Commonwealth Attorney, Amy Ashworth, for not prosecuting crimes to the fullest extent of the law. Since Ashworth took office in 2019, violent crime in Prince William County has increased by 70%, and the number of murders doubled from 2021 to 2022, reaching 20.
Two people are being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail after police were called to two incidents over the weekend.
Fredericksburg Woman Charged with Attempted Stabbing
On Saturday, June 22, at 12:15 a.m., deputies responded to a weapon offense on Declaration Drive. The victim reported that a woman at home confronted her and a friend. The woman, appearing intoxicated, engaged in a verbal altercation that escalated when she brandished a knife, threatened to kill the victim, and chased her around the parking lot,
police said. The victim and her friend managed to escape to their vehicle and flee the area, police said.
Deputies canvassed the vicinity and found the suspect in a Nissan Rogue near Garrisonville Road and Wicomico Drive in North Stafford. A high-risk stop was conducted, and the suspect was detained, police said. Deputies noted a strong odor of alcohol and glassy eyes and found open containers of Twisted Tea and a knife matching the description of the weapon used were found in her vehicle, police said.
Police took the suspect to a local hospital due to unrelated medical needs, where her blood alcohol content was found to be four times the legal limit, police said.
The suspect became disruptive, screaming and kicking upon learning she would be charged, police said.
Miranda Baardsen, 26, of Fredericksburg, faces charges of attempted malicious wounding, driving under the influence (third offense within ten years) with a blood alcohol content above .2, and disorderly conduct on hospital grounds. She is being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
Police did not tell us the ages of the victims in this case.
Driver Charged After Multi-Vehicle Accident
On Friday, June 21, at 10:32 p.m., deputies responded to an auto accident on the 3600 block of Richmond Highway. The crash involved three vehicles, but fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. Witnesses stated that the at-fault vehicle, a Nissan, was swerving erratically before crossing into the northbound lanes and causing a collision.
The driver exhibited extreme signs of intoxication, needing to use his car door to stand, police said. Initially denying alcohol consumption, he later admitted to drinking a bottle of white wine at a construction site, police said.
Carreno Manuel, 36, Stafford is charged with driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content above .2, reckless driving, and crossing the double yellow line, police said. He is being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
The arrest of Jose Rafael Lizama, a 47-year-old resident of Manassas Park, has stirred concerns following the death of Justin Burns on December 2, 2023.
Burns, a beloved figure known for his altruism and community service, was fatally struck by a drunk driver while walking the streets near Old Town Sports Pub in Downtown Manassas.
Prince William County Adult Detention Center Superintendent Peter Meletis shared pertinent details regarding Lizama’s time in custody. Police arrested Lizama immediately following the crash on December 2, 2023, when he was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Astonishingly, he was released the very next day on a personal recognizance.
This decision now raises questions from the victim’s mother, Kim Burns, about how this case was handled.
Police arrested Lizama a second time on February 2, 2024, when Lizama, this time facing charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection to Burns’ death. However, Lizama was released on February 5, 2024, upon posting a $5,000 secured bond, said Meleits.
Potomac Local asked Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney Amy Ashworth why Lizama was released from jail and about the timeline and circumstances surrounding Lizama’s initial arrest. If Lizama was indeed arrested on December 2, 2023, as indicated in preliminary reports, questions abound as to why he was released expeditiously despite the gravity of the allegations against him.
Reviewing camera footage from the crime scene took weeks, including cell phone video. Police had to obtain warrants to view some of the video, which prolonged the investigation, said Manassas police Sgt. Brett Strumpf.
Moreover, questions regarding the measures taken by the court to ensure Lizama’s compliance with legal proceedings and to mitigate the risk of recurrence while he’s out on bond have arisen. Concerns regarding Lizama’s propensity for driving under the influence and the potential dangers posed to the community necessitate proactive measures to safeguard public safety and uphold the law.
“This is an active case, and therefore, I will not make any statement to the media until the matter is concluded,” Ashworth wrote in an email to Potomac Local.
The top prosecutor forwarded our list of questions to her Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) officer, who also stonewalled our investigation, noting our records order was denied due to provisions in § 2.2-3706.1, which exclude disclosure of criminal investigative files related to ongoing cases. The office aims to promote governmental transparency and confirm compliance with the request, she added.
Justin Burns lived in Blackstone, Va., and was an Osbourn Park High School graduate in Manassas. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from West Virginia University.
On the night of his death, Burns had planned to meet with some high school friends at the Old Town Sports Pub, who were in town for a class reunion, Burn’s mother told Potomac Local.
He was deeply involved in his community, volunteering with organizations such as the City of Manassas Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and founding Succor Solutions, Inc., a nonprofit specializing in disaster recovery and economic development.
Burns was remembered as a Renaissance man dedicated to service, adventure, and compassion. He is survived by his parents, Roger and Kim, sister Clare Davitt, brother Nicolas, nephew Nicolas Montgomery, and numerous extended family members.
Lizama is due in Prince William County General District Court on March 8, 2024, on charges of inventory manslaughter and DWI at 11:30 a.m. The open proceeding will occur at the courthouse, 9311 Lee Avenue in Manassas.
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Stafford County Sheriff’s Department: “On January 24 at approximately 6:05 p.m. the Sheriff’s Office received a reckless driver complaint. The caller advised a gray Chevy van with Washington DC tags was traveling on Warrenton Road in a less than desirable manner. This included driving between lanes, driving on the sidewalk, and even striking a road closure barrier sign.”
“When the call was broadcasted over the radio, First Sergeant D.W. Fetterolf and Sergeant E.E. West discovered they were behind the swerving vehicle at the intersection of Warrenton Road and Banks Ford Parkway. Having somehow forecasted the future better than your local weatherman, the duo activated their emergency equipment to conduct a traffic stop. Instead of pulling over to the right like many would when involved in a traffic stop, the driver continued rolling at a slow rate of speed before finally stopping in the middle lane of Lichfield Boulevard.”
“The driver had signs of intoxication, including, glassy, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath. The driver originally admitted to consuming one beer prior to driving, but would later change his answer to two. He would also advise the last time he drank was 7:00 p.m. today. Considering the driver did not have a Doc Brown’s flux capacitor or Hermione’s time turner, it was hypothesized his ‘two’ beers were affecting his judgment.”
“The driver was charged with driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content between .15 and .2, reckless driving, as well as, hit and run. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $2,500 secured bond.”
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office reported the following incidents.
“All aboard the DUI Express. A 54-year-old Stafford man riding on the train tracks rides directly to Rappahannock Regional Jail.”
“On December 28th at approximately 7:26 p.m. Deputy W.E. Trainor responded to the Arkendale Road Railroad Crossing for a report of a vehicle stuck on the tracks. When Deputy Trainor arrived, he observed just that, a Dodge where a CSX rail car should be. The driver advised he made a wrong turn and got stuck. When Deputy Trainor inquired why the driver did not get out of the vehicle due to the obviously dangerous situation, the driver advised he was a “fixer” and wanted to figure it out himself. He would not be able to engineer a way to fix this situation.”
“Trains had to be shut down while the vehicle was removed. While conversing with the driver, Deputy Trainor noticed several signs of intoxication. The driver also admitted to consuming “some vodka” prior to driving. After conducting field sobriety tests, the driver was issued a one-way ticket to jail. He was charged with driving under the influence second offense within five years with a blood alcohol content greater than .2. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $1,500 secured bond.”
“With New Year’s Eve right around the corner, make sure you start the new year off right by driving sober. Drive sober or get pulled over.”
“IHOP, 320 Worth Avenue, 12/28, 4:15 p.m. Deputy R.J. Reed responded to a disturbance. The caller advised a male was picking a fight with the wall of the business. When Deputy Reed arrived, he located the suspect laying on the ground. The suspect thought he was in Woodbridge, and had strong signs of intoxication. He was charged with public intoxication and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.”
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office reported the following incidents.
“Ford T. Humphrey Public Safety Building, 1225 Courthouse Road, 12/16, 11:42 p.m. Deputy C.R. Newman responded to a suspicious vehicle call. The caller advised they were being followed by another vehicle. Deputy Newman located the vehicle in front of the Sheriff’s Office and made contact with the driver. The driver had signs of being intoxicated and admitted to consuming tequila prior to driving. He was arrested for driving under the influence and was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.”
“Target, 25 South Gateway Drive, 12/15, 7:58 p.m. Deputy B.M. Taylor responded to an unknown problem. The caller advised there was a male asleep behind the wheel in the parking lot. When Deputy Taylor arrived, she observed the suspect actively huffing behind the wheel. The suspect had multiple empty canisters used for huffing, as well as, admitted to consuming alcohol earlier. The driver was charged with driving under the influence second offense within five years, and inhaling chemicals. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.”
“Wawa, 860 Richmond Highway, 12.16, 7:01 p.m. Deputy A.T. Leckemby responded to a drunk driver complaint. The caller advised the suspect vehicle was all over the roadway and nearly caused a few accidents. Deputy Leckemby located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, who was carrying a concealed firearm, admitted to consuming beer prior to driving. The driver was charged with driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content between .15 and .2, the traffic lane violations, as well as, possession of a concealed weapon while intoxicated. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.”
