A 45-year-old man sleeping inside a van was the victim of sexual assault and was treated at a hospital, police said.
The incident occurred across from a Walmart located near Dumfries.
Press release:
Sexual Assault Investigation – On September 1 at 2:17AM, officers responded to the 17000 block of Richmond Hwy. in Dumfries (22026) to
investigate a sexual assault. The investigation revealed the victim, a 45-year-old man was asleep inside a van parked in the above area when
he woke to an unknown man entering his vehicle without permission.While inside the vehicle, the suspect sexually assaulted the victim before leaving the area in a dark-colored sedan. The victim contacted
police and was treated at an area hospital. Attached is a composite sketch of the suspect. The investigation continues.Suspect Description: [Composite sketch provided]
A tall black male, 35-40 years of age with a shaved head, goatee, and tattoo on his forearm
Last seen wearing khaki pants, no shirt, and flip-flops
Manassas Park Police, with assistance from Prince William County Police and their Cadets, have closed Signal Hill Park on Signal View Drive in Manassas Park. The park, located approximately a mile and a half from the home of missing mother Mamta Kafle Bhatt, is closed immediately. Bhatt, a frequent visitor to the park, has been missing, triggering extensive searches.
Authorities have established a command post within the park’s pavilion, which notably hosted a vigil for Kaffle Bhatt last Saturday, drawing 800 attendees.
Officials have not disclosed the duration of the park closure. However, the closure will affect tonight’s and possibly tomorrow’s soccer activities by the Northern Virginia Soccer Club at the park’s fields.
It’s the first search for Kaffle Bhatt conducted by police. Volunteer residents organized previous searches.
We’ll bring you more updates as we have them.
Meanwhile, during a recent hearing in Prince William Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on Thursday, August 29, Judge Katherine C. McCollam dealt directly with Naresh Bhatt, a 37-year-old man accused in his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt’s disappearance, related to the charge of concealing a dead body. Bhatt, who communicated through an interpreter, waived his right to a preliminary hearing, a move that accelerates the case’s progression directly to a grand jury, Insidenova.com reported.
The defense, led by Senior Assistant Public Defender Shalev Ben-Avraham, is pushing for a swift trial, suggesting that the evidence against Bhatt is weak and that a quick trial would prevent the commonwealth from solidifying their case. This sentiment was echoed by Holly Wirth, a former coworker of Mamta Bhatt at Inova Health System, during a news conference, indicating that while the current charge is serious, more severe charges are likely forthcoming.
Chris Strong from the National Weather Service Baltimore-Washington office noted the unusual nature of the storm, highlighting that “one of the biggest things that was more uncommon about that event was just how little wind there was in the general atmosphere for these storms to move around.” This lack of atmospheric movement allowed the storms to “evolve and develop in place,” leading to prolonged periods of heavy rain and persistent lightning across several areas.
Despite the severity, the region did not experience any tornadic activity. Strong explained that tornadoes generally require wind shear—an increase in wind speed and a change in direction at different altitudes—which was absent during this event. This contributed to the storm’s stationary behavior, causing extended weather disturbances over the same locations.
The storms resembled tropical-like conditions often seen in places like Florida, not Virginia. “It was much more tropical both in the soupy tropical air that’s the fuel for these storms to get going and the stagnant air around,” said Strong.
According to storm reports on file with the National Weather Service, emergency services in Prince William County were stretched as they responded to multiple calls related to the storm. At 6:32 p.m., a 911 call center reported approximately half a dozen trees down in the Buckland Mills area near Haymarket, causing obstructions and damage.
Flooding also became a significant concern, with the ramp from Route 29 onto Interstate 66 in Gainesville closed due to high water levels at 7:32 p.m. Further disruptions were reported in Dumfries at 8:31 p.m., where flooding across Route 1 impeded traffic flow.
Quantico Marine Corps Base recorded several high winds, with a peak 49 mph gust recorded on a Potomac River buoy at 8:35 p.m., illustrating the storm’s power as it moved over the area. Additionally, by 9:12 p.m., police closed Aden Road in Prince William County due to flooding.
More flooding was reported at 9:15 p.m. on Piper Lane near the railroad crossing near Manassas Regional Airport. There were several power outages, as well, with nearly 5,000 NOVEC customers out in Stafford County and more than 400 in Prince William.
Looking ahead, the region is now at the peak of hurricane season. Strong advised that while the current forecast suggests tropical disturbances will likely remain south of the mid-Atlantic, residents should remain vigilant through early October.
As Northern Virginia moves toward fall, Strong anticipates “more roller coasters of temperature swings,” providing some relief from one of the hottest summers on record.
A 63-year-old Nokesville man died after his 2003 Lexus GX was struck head-on by a 2021 Toyota Tundra that crossed the center line on Bristow Rd. Near Windy Hill Dr., the investigation continues, with speed ruled out as a factor for the Toyota driver.
From Prince William police:
Fatal Crash Investigation – On August 28 at 6:24PM, officers responded to the area of Bristow Rd. near Windy Hill Dr. in Nokesville (20181) to investigate a crash. The investigation revealed the driver of a 2021 Toyota Tundra was traveling eastbound on Bristow Rd. when the vehicle crossed over the center line and into the westbound lane of travel striking a 2003 Lexus GX in a head-on collision. The impact of the crash caused the Lexus to spin off of the roadway and come to a rest in the ditch while the Tundra remained on the roadway. The driver and sole occupant of the Lexus was transported to an area hospital where he died from injuries sustained in the collision. The driver and sole occupant of the Tundra was transported to an area hospital for minor injuries. Investigators determined that speed, was not a factor for the driver of the Tundra. The investigation continues.
Identified:
The deceased driver of the 2003 Lexus GX was identified as Thomas Spencer STARK, 63, of NokesvilleThe driver of the 2021 Toyota Tundra was identified as a 61-year-old man of Woodbridge
Prince William County Police sent a release at 2:34 p.m. on Wednesday requesting public assistance in locating a 17-year-old girl in the Manassas area of the county.
More from Prince William Police:
*MISSING ENDANGERED JUVENILE:Â The Prince
William County Police Department is asking for the public’s help locating Maritza AMBROCIO-CHAVEZ, who was last seen leaving her home on Willoughby Ln. in the Manassas area of Prince William County around 9:00 a.m. on August 28. Maritza also sent concerning messages to family members and drove away from the residence in a 2013 Black Nissan Altima with Virginia license plates: TKX-4762, on the morning of August 28. Maritza is believed to be missing under voluntary circumstances and may be in need of assistance which qualifies her as being listed as endangered. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of this person is asked to contact Prince William County police at 703-792-6500 or your local police department.
Maritza AMBROCIO-CHAVEZ, is described as a Hispanic female, 17 years of age, 5’3”, 125lbs with black hair, pierced ears, brown eyes, and scars on her arms and thighs
She was last seen wearing a black t-shirt outlined with green, and red/green Christmas-style pants.
On August 24, officers responded to multiple residential shootings in Woodbridge, where gunfire struck homes on Yawl Court, Lost Colony Drive, and Minnie Court, leading to the arrest of an 18-year-old man, who faces charges including nine counts of attempted aggravated malicious wounding and three counts each of shooting into an occupied dwelling and using a firearm in the commission of a felony, with no reported injuries or additional property damage.
From Prince William police:
Attempted Aggravated Malicious Wounding – On August 24 at 3:46AM, officers responded to a residence located in the 5100 block of Yawl Ct. in [Woodbridge area(22193)] to investigate a shots fired call which struck the home. A short time later, officers were informed of a second shots fired call in the 6100 block of Lost Colony Dr. involving another residence struck by gunfire. During the investigation, officers identified a suspect known to residents in both homes and who was believed to be involved in both incidents. Officers obtained arrest warrants for the accused and began seeking his whereabouts. Later that evening, officers responded to a third residential shooting in the 5600 block of Minnie Ct. also involving the accused. Officers eventually located the accused in the area of Roundtree Dr. where he was detained without incident. No injuries or additional property damage were reported at any of the incident locations. Multiple shell casings were recovered. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Caden Sebastian MILLER, was arrested. Detectives also executed a search warrant at the residence of the accused where evidence was recovered.
Arrested between August 24-26: [No Photo Available]
Caden Sebastian MILLER, 18, of 5676 Roundtree Dr. in [Dale City]
Charged with 9 counts of attempted aggravated malicious wounding, 3 counts of shooting into an
occupied dwelling, 3 counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, 2 counts of
shooting from a vehicle, and 3 counts of destruction of property
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond
Area police have a message for the public: Slow down in school zones because school is back in session. Prince William County Police officers were out in force this week to encourage motorists to slow down in the posted school zones.
Lt. Jonathan Perok said, “School zone safety is a serious concern that impacts students, school staff, parents, and the broader community. Enforcement in these areas is one-way police can assist in ensuring the speed through these zones during critical times is followed. Drivers and pedestrians alike are urged to follow posted signs, avoid distractions, and plan extra time in their commute, especially during this transitional back-to-school period.”
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From Prince William police:
The Prince William County Police Department will host a community fair on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, to celebrate the county’s diversity, to embrace unity among the various communities in the county and showcase the many facets of police work in the county with displays, fun activities, appointments with a recruiter, pet adoptions and much more.Â
The event is from noon to 4 p.m. at the Sean Â
Connaughton Plaza, 1 County Complex Court, Â
Woodbridge, VA 22192. County residents are Â
cordially invited to the community fair, which also Â
will feature displays from numerous County publicÂ
safety agencies and other County government Â
organizations, live music and food trucks.Â
Background investigators and recruiters will be Â
present to speak to anyone interested in a career as a police officer. The Department is committed to a diverse workforce and encourages all interested applicants to contact the Prince William County Police Personnel Bureau at (703) 792-6580 or visit the Department’s recruiting website at www.joinpwcpd.org.Â
Police are investigating a fatal incident where a vehicle, found engulfed in flames at the intersection of Old Bridge Rd. and Occoquan Rd. in Woodbridge, had a driver who died at the scene after allegedly placing gasoline in the passenger compartment before the crash; the investigation is ongoing.
From Prince William police:
Death Investigation – On August 23 at 6:50PM, officers responded to the intersection of Old Bridge Rd. and Occoquan Rd. in Woodbridge (22193) for initial reports of a vehicle crash. Upon arrival one vehicle was located engulfed in flames. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was pronounced deceased on scene. Preliminary investigation revealed the deceased had placed gasoline in the passenger compartment of their vehicle just prior to the crash, causing the fire inside of the vehicle. The fire, as well as the cause and manner of death, is still under investigation. The identity of the deceased will be released pending identification and next-of-kin notification. More information will be released when available. Anyone who may have information that can aid in the investigation is asked to contact the police. The investigation continues.
