The Prince William County Police Department responded to a multi-vehicle crash that initially closed all southbound and northbound lanes of Dumfries Road. Motorists were advised to find alternate routes as police worked to investigate and clear the scene.
Police reported that one lane in each direction had been reopened. Police continue investigating the crash, and drivers are urged to exercise caution while traveling through the area and follow police directions.
The extent of the injuries remains unknown at this time. Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.
Prince William County Police Briefs – January 20, 2025
Here’s the latest report from the Prince William County Police:
Fatal Crash Investigation
On January 17, a crash occurred on Centreville Road near Breeden Avenue in Manassas. A 2019 Jeep Cherokee and a 2024 Suzuki motorcycle collided when the Jeep turned across the northbound lanes. The rider of the motorcycle, Nicholas Blaze Damon, 25, of Fairfax, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Jeep, a 44-year-old woman from Woodbridge, was treated for minor injuries. Police are seeking witnesses.
Armed Robbery
On January 18, officers investigated a robbery reported on Whisperwood Court in Dumfries. A 16-year-old male was approached by two individuals, one driving a vehicle. Both suspects displayed firearms and demanded property. The victim was struck with a firearm, and his shoes were taken. The suspects fled in a white sedan. They are described as males, possibly juveniles, wearing dark clothing.
Commercial Burglary
On January 18, Bella Vita Restaurant on Liberia Avenue in Manassas was broken into around 2:48 a.m. Two individuals forced entry through a rear door and took an undisclosed amount of money. Both suspects wore masks and dark clothing. No further descriptions are available.
Residential Burglaries
On January 17, officers responded to a home on Greenwich Wood Drive in Nokesville, where forced entry had occurred through a basement window. No property was reported missing. A nearby home on Hopkins Lane also showed signs of an attempted burglary. No entry was made, and nothing was reported stolen.
Arrest Made in Domestic Incident
On January 18, officers responded to a domestic incident at The Landings at Markham Grant Apartments in Woodbridge. A verbal dispute escalated, leading to a 12-year-old girl using a knife, resulting in injuries to two family members. The victims, aged 61 and 19, were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The juvenile was charged with two counts of malicious wounding and is being held at the Juvenile Detention Center.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Prince William County Police tipline at 703-792-7000 or submit a tip online at pwcva.gov/policetip.
Scratch-Off Ticket Theft Leads to Multiple Charges
A Stafford man is facing several charges after stealing a case of scratch-off tickets from the Last Stop Mart on Richmond Highway. On January 19 at 5:48 p.m., a suspect, identified as Austin Nicely, 24, requested a pack of cigarettes from the store clerk. When the clerk turned away, Nicely grabbed 143 scratch-off tickets and fled on foot.
Deputies quickly identified Nicely using surveillance footage and tracked him to the Quality Inn on Salisbury Drive. During the pursuit, Nicely attempted to flee but was apprehended near the Mine Road Commuter Lot after tripping on debris. A search of his motel room revealed controlled substances and a wanted woman from Woodbridge.
Nicely faces charges of grand larceny, possession of controlled substances, vandalism, and obstruction. The stolen tickets were partially recovered from a trash can at the motel. The woman was charged with obstruction and served on her outstanding warrants. Both suspects are being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
A Prince William County resident, Bethany Selvage, has her car back nearly two months after an unlicensed tow operator stole it, according to police. On January 2, 2025, Manassas City Police located Selvage’s 2018 Nissan Sentra.
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Police have arrested a suspect in connection to the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old man in the 8300 block of Sunset Drive near Manassas on January 9.
Marlon Osvaldo Bautista, 20, of Manassas Park, was apprehended on January 13 and charged with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Bautista is being held without bond, and a court date is pending.
The victim has been identified as Calvin Tyshaun Odell Batsone, 22, of Woodbridge. Police say Batsone was shot during an altercation involving two groups that escalated into gunfire. The groups fled the scene in separate vehicles, and Batsone was later transported to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. No additional injuries or property damage were reported.
The investigation initially faced challenges as Bautista remained at large after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Detectives worked to locate Bautista and apprehend him, ensuring justice for the victim and his family.
Authorities emphasize that this incident does not appear to be random. The police are urging anyone with information related to the case to contact detectives at 703-792-6500 or submit tips online at pwcva.gov/policetip.
The investigation remains active, and further details will be released as they become available.
Prince William County Police officers responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 6:19 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found no immediate signs of injuries or involved parties at the scene. However, shortly thereafter, they were notified that a 22-year-old man was being treated at a local hospital for gunshot wounds. Tragically, the man later succumbed to his injuries.
The deceased has been identified as Calvin Tyshaun Odell Batson, 22, of Woodbridge.
Preliminary investigations indicate that two groups were involved in an altercation in the area, which escalated into an exchange of gunfire. Both groups fled the scene in separate vehicles before officers arrived. There were no additional reports of injuries or property damage, and police believe the incident was not random.
Detectives are actively working to determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the police at 703-792-6500 or submit a tip online at pwcva.gov/policetip.
The investigation remains ongoing, and more details will be released as they become available.
A man wanted in connection with a fatal crash in Nokesville has been arrested. On January 8, 2025, Prince William County Police apprehended James Francis Byrd, 62, of Woodbridge. Byrd faces charges of involuntary manslaughter – DUI related and DUI for his role in the crash that occurred on August 28, 2024, along Bristow Road near Windy Hill Drive.
Police reported that Byrd, the driver of a 2021 Toyota Tundra, had a blood alcohol content (BAC) above the legal limit at the time of the crash. The collision claimed the life of Thomas Spencer Stark, 63, of Nokesville, who was driving a 2003 Lexus GX. Byrd’s court date is pending, and bond information is unavailable.
The crash occurred at 6:24 p.m. on August 28, 2024, when Byrd’s eastbound Tundra crossed the center line into the westbound lane, colliding head-on with Stark’s vehicle, police said. The impact caused Stark’s Lexus to spin off the roadway and rest in a ditch. Stark was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Byrd sustained minor injuries and was also transported to a hospital for treatment.
Following the crash, investigators with the Prince William County Police Crash Investigation Unit issued arrest warrants for Byrd on December 11, 2024. Attempts to locate him were initially unsuccessful.
Prince William County Police Officer Latrell Guy, who was a member of the 50th class, said he now better appreciates the hardships people face in dealing with mental illness.
“I just have a better understanding of what the person themselves might be going through and get them the help they need rather than go to a more restrictive route,” Guy said. “We need to understand what they have to live with and how we can help them get through their day. It’s something everyone should take in general to be more knowledgeable about these situations.”
According to a Dec. 31, 2024, press release from the county, the program, which was created in 2012, trains officers and community partners on how to help those experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The training also provides information on resources throughout the community.
“We want to get better trained in de-escalation techniques, at being able to recognize signs of mental illness and becoming familiar with and providing information about the resources available. We want to put that all into one package,” Prince William County Police Sgt. Eric Beard, the CIT assistant program coordinator, said.
Since the start of the program more than 10 years ago, more than 1,000 people from the various agencies have successfully finished the 40-hour training. In the county’s police department, nearly 500 officers have graduated. The program initially held two to three sessions per year, but now is able to hold closer to six or seven each year.
“[The program] has led us to … other collaborations – the Marcus Alert initiative, co-responders, our entire response system in Prince William – has been because of relationships we’ve built through starting this program,” Heather Baxter, behavioral health program manager with the county’s Community Services department, said. “I think this sets Prince William County apart from the rest of the state. Our relationships and the way we work together between mental health and the police departments has just made for an open relationship that has led to so many opportunities for us.”
Death Investigation: Unconscious Man Found on Roadway
On December 28, at approximately 1:18 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of Dale Boulevard and the I-95 northbound ramp in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate reports of an unconscious man in the roadway. A motorist passing through the area spotted the man and contacted emergency services. The 27-year-old was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Investigators have yet to determine whether the man was struck by a vehicle or suffered injuries from another incident. An autopsy by the Medical Examiner’s Office is pending to ascertain the cause of death. Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward. The investigation is ongoing.
Identified:
The deceased was identified as Tarone Lamont Bland, 27, of Woodbridge.
Death Investigation: Temple Member Found Dead
On December 26, at approximately 12:30 p.m., officers were called to the Watt Buddhacheya Mongkol Buddhist Temple, located at 3905 Old Bridge Road in Woodbridge (22192), for a reported death. Temple members discovered the body of a 48-year-old man with severe burns in a bedroom on the premises.
The deceased was known to reside at the temple. Preliminary investigations suggest no signs of foul play. The cause and manner of death are under review by the Medical Examiner’s Office. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Stafford County
“A Lot of Cocaine” Arrest
A 26-year-old Stafford man was arrested for trafficking and selling controlled substances, thanks to the diligent efforts of detectives with the Special Investigations Unit.
Since November, detectives have been investigating a suspected cocaine dealer operating in Stafford County. Their investigation led them to identify Joshua Daniels as a person of interest. As a result, a warrant for the distribution of controlled substances was obtained.
Late last week, deputies from the Special Investigations Unit, Special Problems Unit, and K-9 Team conducted a traffic stop on Daniels’ vehicle on I-95 near mile marker 140. Daniels, confirmed as the driver, was taken into custody without incident. When informed that K-9 Mija, handled by Deputy F.A. Martinez, would conduct an exterior sniff of the vehicle, Daniels admitted to having “a lot of cocaine.”
Detectives discovered Daniels was actively transporting over 16 ounces of cocaine from New York into the Commonwealth. The cocaine, valued at approximately $44,800 on the street, was seized during the stop. An additional warrant for drug trafficking was obtained, and Daniels was served on both warrants. He is currently being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
Woodbridge Woman, Stolen SUV
When driving a stolen vehicle, it might not be the best idea to pass a deputy. A Woodbridge woman learned this lesson on Christmas Eve.
On December 24, at approximately 9:50 a.m., Deputy S.C. Martin was assisting with an auto accident on the Jessica Cheney Bridge, an incident previously shared on the department’s Facebook page. While on the scene, a Nissan Rogue passed through the area, catching the deputy’s attention. The vehicle was reported stolen out of Prince William County.
Deputy Martin immediately alerted nearby units to the vehicle’s whereabouts. Deputy J.L. Jones located the stolen SUV at the Wawa parking lot at 3099 Richmond Highway. The driver, identified as Ashley Stephenson, 32, quickly exited the vehicle and fast-walked into the store.
Deputy Jones stayed near the stolen car while observing Stephenson make her way to the back of the business. She attempted to flee through the rear exit but was met by Deputy Martin, who was waiting for her with arms wide open.
Stephenson was detained without incident and charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and driving with a suspended license. She was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. The vehicle’s owner has been informed of its recovery.
The Prince William County Police officers completed a 24-week course of training in several aspects of police work, including firearms, use-of-force decision-making, driver training, legal training, patrol techniques and investigations.
This is the most recent class of the county’s police academy, which started their training in July. The county hosts a new academy session in March, July and November of each year.
Congratulations to the following graduates!
Andrew C. Bischoff is a graduate of Pensacola Christian College in Florida, with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Officer Bischoff is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.
Jake A. Buck is a graduate of Timberlane Regional High School in Plaistow, N.H. He served in the U.S. Army (military police), attaining the rank of corporal prior to joining the Police Department. Officer Buck is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.
Nicholas F. Brooks is a graduate of the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg with a bachelor’s degree in communications. Officer Brooks is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.
Parker D. Hoover is a graduate of the Aaron Academy in Gallatin, Texas. Officer Hoover is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
Gavin D. Huttner is a graduate of Kettle Run High School in Nokesville and is pursuing courses at Laurel Ridge Community College in Fauquier County. Officer Huttner is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
Jason T. Jones is a graduate of George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., with a bachelor’s degree in criminology. He has family in law enforcement. Officer Jones is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.
Israel N. Lockhart is a graduate of Longwood University in Farmville, Va., with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice. He serves in the U.S. Army Reserve at the rank of private. Officer Lockhart is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
Jessica L. Lucas attends Northern Virginia Community College in Fairfax and is pursuing an associate degree in criminology. She served in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of staff sergeant prior to joining the Police Department. She has family in law enforcement. Additionally, she was the Class President of the 59th Session. Officer Lucas is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
Jose A. Luyando Ortiz is a graduate of Mount Morris Central School in New York. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, attaining the rank of sergeant prior to joining the Police Department. He speaks Spanish. Officer Luyando Ortiz is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.
Tayvon M. McGraw is a graduate of New England College in Henniker, N.H., with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Officer McGraw is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.
Ryan E. Pajuelo is a graduate of Gar-Field Senior High School in Woodbridge and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. He was a Police Cadet prior to attending Basic Recruit School. Officer Pajuelo is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.
Gracie A. Presley is a graduate of Warren County High School in Front Royal. She was a Police Cadet prior to attending Basic Recruit School. Additionally, she was the Class Guide of the 59th Session. Officer Presley is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.
LaKeysha L. Saldaña Ovando is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico at Carolina, with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in law and society. She has family in law enforcement, and she speaks Spanish. Officer Saldaña Ovando is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.
Cole F. Sheehan is a graduate of Warren County High School in Front Royal and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal psychology at Louisiana State University of Alexandria. He has family in law enforcement. Additionally, he was the Class Vice President of the 59th Session. Officer Sheehan is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
Ethan J. Sibley is a homeschooled graduate. He has family in law enforcement. Officer E. Sibley is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.
Muhammad A. Tariq is a graduate of the Punjab Group of Colleges in Faisalabad, Pakistan, and is pursuing an associate degree in criminology and criminal justice from Northern Virginia Community College in Woodbridge. He speaks both Urdu and Punjabi. Officer Tariq is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
