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Pollard

Woodbridge Senior High School administrators kept students inside today as police searched Lake Ridge for a killer.

A school division spokeswoman told Potomac Local News that eight Prince William County Public schools in the Lake Ridge area were placed into a secure-the-building status today for more than an hour due to police activity.

During a secure-the-building status, students who may have been outside during recess or P.E. are brought inside the building. Exterior doors remain locked as usual, but entry in and out of the building is limited.

“This is a different status than a lockdown status. None of our schools were in a lockdown status,” said spokeswoman Megan Silas. “[Prince William County Public Schools] has a great relationship with Prince William County PD, who kept us informed.”

The school division notified parents via email and text messages after they limited entry to the school buildings’ doors.

Police are searching for 37-year-old Karen Nicole Pollard, a homeless woman, who is wanted in connection to the shooting death of Patrica Belgin, 51, also homeless, on December 28, 2023.

Police said Pollard shot and killed Belgin after an argument over fentanyl pills, in the 1200 block of Easy Street, just off Route 1 in Woodbridge.

Pollard remains on the loose.

Meanwhile, sheriff’s deputies briefly closed a portion of Interstate 95 near Garrisonville Road in neighboring Stafford County for a chase that started at a Walmart on Warrenton Road (Route 17) in south Stafford.

The theft occurred about 12:30 p.m., and detectives followed the suspect’s car to I-95 north. Additional deputies were called in, and police were able to stop the suspects after a brief chase.

Several people have been arrested, said Stafford Sheriff’s Major Shawn Kimmitz.  We’ll post more about this one when we have it.

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Diego Honorato Valencia

Prince William Police Department: Sexual Assault Investigation *ARREST – On December 14, the suspect sought in connection to the sexual assault that was reported to have occurred at the Food Lion located at 12420 Dillingham Square in Woodbridge on December 8, was arrested. While investigating the incident, detectives identified the suspect as Diego Honorato VALENCIA and on December 14, following the investigation, he was arrested. Arrested on December 14: Diego Honorato VALENCIA, 43, of 12351 Midsummer Lane in Woodbridge. Charged with sexual assault. Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond.”

Sexual Assault Investigation [Previously Released] – On December 8 at 8, officers responded to the Food Lion located at 12420 Dillingham Square in Woodbridge to investigate an assault. The investigation revealed the victim, a 15-year-old male juvenile, was inside the restroom when he was approached by an unknown man. Without provocation, the man inappropriately touched the victim and made hand gestures before leaving the restroom. The suspect was last seen leaving in a newer model Toyota Camry. The victim reported the incident to a family member who notified the police. No injuries were reported.”

 

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Dillingham Square on Old Bridge Road in Lake Ridge [Photo:
Prince William police: “Sexual Assault Investigation – On December 8 at 8:37 p.m., officers responded to the Food Lion located at 12420 Dillingham Square in Woodbridge to investigate an assault. The investigation revealed the victim, a 15-year-old male juvenile, was inside the restroom when he was approached by an unknown man. Without provocation, the man inappropriately touched the victim and made hand gestures before leaving the restroom. The suspect was last seen leaving in a newer model Toyota Camry. The victim reported the incident to a family member who notified the police. No injuries were reported. Suspect Description: A white male, with short black hair, brown eyes, and glasses. Last seen wearing a blue jacket, blue jeans.”

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Prince William County Government: “Prince William County leaders, staff and members of the Lake Ridge community came together to celebrate the officially opening of the Occoquan Greenway Hedges Run Segment 3 Bridge that was installed earlier this summer.”

“The new bridge, for both pedestrians and bicyclists, is an upgrade to an existing trail, leased for public access from Lake Ridge Parks and Recreation Association, in the Lake Ridge community near the Occoquan Reservoir. The bridge and associated trail reroute replaces three splash-through creek crossings with a single elevated pedestrian/bicycle route.”

The ribbon cutting took place on December 7, 2023.

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Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition members

Richmond Times-Dispatch: “Two newly elected members of the Virginia House of Delegates — even before they take office — are sounding the alarm about the costs of the rapidly expanding data center industry in Virginia.”

“Josh Thomas, the Democrat, and Ian Lovejoy, the Republican, were elected last month to represent parts of Prince William County that are at the epicenter of an escalating fight over the proliferation of data centers that require enormous amounts of electricity, water and land to serve the global demand for digital data storage.”

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The Judicial Center for Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth: “The commonwealth attorney’s office announces the successful prosecution of Gentil Mwenze Banze arising from the June 18, 2022, accident that killed a Lake Ridge man and his dog. On July 6, 2023, Gentil Mwenze Banze pled guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter while Driving Under the Influence. The case was heard by Judge James A. Willett of the Prince William County Circuit Court.”

“On November 16, 2023, Mr. Banze was sentenced by Judge Willett to 10 years in prison, the maximum term allowable under the law, and three years of active probation following his release from prison. The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Sarah Sami.”

Commonwealth v. Gentil Mwenze Banze: “In the early evening hours of June 18, 2022, the Defendant, Gentil Mwenze Banze, was driving his motor vehicle westbound on Old Bridge Road. Witnesses described the Defendant’s vehicle as swerving in and out of his lane of travel, almost striking other vehicles, before veering to the right and leaving the roadway. The Defendant’s vehicle entered the sidewalk and struck a pedestrian, Mr. Luis Alfredo Perez, Jr., who had been out walking the family dog that evening. After the Defendant struck Mr. Perez, Jr. and his dog, he crashed into the utility pole located in the area of Cape Cod Ct, bringing down live power lines causing an audible and visible explosion on Old Bridge Rd.”

“Investigator Chad Mason of the Prince William County Crash Investigation Unit noted that the Defendant had an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his person, had a slight sway to his body as he was standing, had bloodshot and watery eyes, and exhibited signs of impairment in all three standardized field sobriety tests that he attempted. The Defendant later admitted to drinking Guinness Beer prior to driving and testing later confirmed the Defendant’s blood alcohol content to be 0.11g/210L of breath approximately three hours after the crash had occurred. Unfortunately, both Mr. Perez Jr. and his dog succumbed to the injuries they sustained as a result of the crash.”

“The Office of the Commonwealth Attorney would like to commend and thank the Prince William County Crash Investigation Unit, particularly Investigator Chad Mason for their investigation of the case, and Arturo Guzman, Case Manager for the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney Victim/Witness program for the assistance provided to the victim’s family.”

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Prince William Living: "Inova-GoHealth Urgent Care has doubled the number of its locations over the past year. Today the urgent care network celebrated the opening of its 14th center in Lake Ridge, off Old Bridge Road. The 15th center has opened in Ashburn."

"The new Lake Ridge center is conveniently located in Dillingham Square next to Food Lion, Gold’s Gym and Inova Health Care Services. It features an award-winning center design. With bold colors, warm wood accents and an open floorplan, the new center fosters a comfortable experience for the whole family."

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Prince William Public Libraries: “Prince William Public Libraries will temporarily close Lake Ridge Library beginning November 20 for renovations.

“The renovations are expected to last six weeks and will include multiple enhancements and upgrades to provide a versatile, inviting space for visitors. Planned renovations include:”

  • Revamped Shelving: The library will feature revamped shelving, making it easier to find your favorite books and discover new ones. In addition, the shelving will provide more space for programming once the library reopens.
  • Enhanced Seating Options: Lake Ridge Library is prioritizing your comfort and convenience. With the renovation, you can expect more seating options. Whether you prefer group tables for collaborative projects or individual seating for focused reading or study, you’ll find a spot that suits your needs.
  • New Service Desk: The service desk is also getting an upgrade. The new service desk will make it easier to access the resources and support you need.
  • More Public Computers: We’re committed to providing more digital access, and to address this need, we’ll be adding more public computers. Whether you’re working on a project, researching, or simply surfing the web, we’ve got you covered.

The improvements will cost taxpayers $96,000.

A library spokeswoman tells PLN:

Prince William Public Libraries is committed to its strategic goals, of which “Versatile, Inviting Spaces” outlines our efforts to enhance multi-functional, inviting spaces to create attractive, modern community destinations.

In recent years, we have made great strides in achieving this goal, including Central Library’s renovation in 2020 and its opening of Central Green in 2022, the opening of Manassas City Library in 2021, Dale City Library’s renovation in 2021, and Bull Run Library’s renovation in 2022. When proffer funds became available in the Occoquan District, it presented the opportunity to renovate Lake Ridge Library.

The library branch should reopen in January 2024.

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