Shooting on Same Street Where Woman Was Killed Last Week
Officers responded to a shooting incident on February 7 at 3:25 PM at Benita Fitzgerald Dr. and Brickwood Dr. in Woodbridge. They found a 17-year-old male juvenile with a gunshot wound inside a residence. The juvenile was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Investigation revealed the juvenile was walking in the area when multiple shots were fired, striking him. A four-door vehicle was seen fleeing the scene. No additional injuries or property damage were reported. The incident occurred on the same street where a North Carolina woman was shot and killed by a stray bullet on Feb. 2, 2024.
Road Rage Involving Gun on Route 234, Near Colgan High School
Police responded to a fight with weapons call on February 4 at 1:20 PM near Colgan High School. A 52-year-old man was involved in a road rage incident with another driver. During the altercation, the accused brandished a firearm and fired a round, striking a nearby vehicle. A brief struggle over the firearm ensued before the victim took possession of it. The accused, Timmy Mitchell DEANE, 57, was arrested and charged with attempted malicious wounding, shooting from a vehicle, and destruction of property.
Infant Found Sitting Alone on Stairs; Boy, 3, Also Found
Officers responded to a found child report on February 5 at 6:59 PM at High Pointe at Rippon Landing Condominiums. They found a 23-month-old boy sitting unsupervised on a stairwell and a 3-year-old boy asleep and unsupervised inside the residence. The father, identified as Ever PLEITEZ-MARTINEZ, returned to the residence intoxicated. He was arrested and charged with felony child neglect and DUI.
Shots Fired into Home
On February 6 at 9:27 PM, officers responded to shots fired at the Regency Apartments near Manassas. Multiple shots were fired, striking an apartment before a dark-colored van was seen leaving the area. No injuries or additional property damage were reported.
Potomac Mills Shopper Robbed Inside Store
A 17-year-old male juvenile was robbed inside Potomac Mills on February 6 at 5:21 PM. The victim was approached by an unknown male who demanded his clothing, implying he had a weapon. The suspect fled the store with the clothing. The suspect was described as a thin male wearing a black mask, a black jacket, and a grey hooded sweatshirt.
Officer Assaulted
On February 8 at 3:44 PM, officers responded to Somerset Point Apartments in Gainesville for a noise violation. While investigating, officers identified a man with active arrest warrants, identified as Joshua Chidi KING. When officers attempted to arrest him, he resisted and struck an officer. The officer was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. KING was arrested and charged with assault & battery on LEO and obstruction of justice.
Featherstone shopping center redevelopment
Joe Jacobs, Vice President at Elm Street Communities, will take the floor to present plans for partially redeveloping the Featherstone shopping center. The ambitious project includes adding a new coffee shop, housing units, and revitalizing part of the vacant commercial space adjacent to Gabe’s clothing store.
In 2015, developers unveiled Featherstone Station, introducing 118 new three-level townhomes with garages. Situated across from Featherstone Square, these townhomes represent some of the newest construction in the area in over 50 years. The Featherstone Square shopping center, once home to Dart Drug, Safeway, and Kilroy’s restaurant, has witnessed several transformations over the years. While various tenants have come and gone, the McDonald’s restaurant in the parking lot remains a steadfast presence.
Trail development and park enhancements
In addition to the redevelopment plans, the WPCCA meeting will feature Janet Bartnik, Deputy Director at the Prince William County Department of Parks, Recreation, & Tourism. Bartnik will provide insights into trail development and unveil new activities and features planned for the county’s parks and trails.
Prince William County boasts three major “greenway” trail corridors, with the Neabsco and Occoquan greenways closest to Woodbridge. The Neabsco Creek Greenway, spanning 10 miles along the Neabsco Creek stream valley, aims to connect park sites, schools, and recreation centers. Currently, 2.5 miles of the trail are complete, linking Waterworks Water Park, Andrew Leitch Park, and the VEPCO ball fields.
The Occoquan Greenway, designed to link the County Government Complex to the Town of Occoquan, offers trail users a mix of paved and natural surface trails. Segments One, Two, Three, and Four are in various stages of development, with some segments fully open and others partially accessible.
On a national scale, Woodbridge boasts a segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHNST). Meandering through Woodbridge in segments, the trail runs through Featherstone Shores, Belmont Bay, Rippon Landing, and the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk over the Metz Wetlands, part of the national scenic trail.
The PHNST is akin to other well-known national trails, like the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails in the east and west.
The WPCCA meeting will commence at 7 p.m. in the atrium. Parking is available in the adjacent lot or parking garage. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to attend and engage in discussions about the exciting developments shaping the Woodbridge community.
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Police have apprehended the suspect wanted in connection to the murder of 51-year-old Patricia Kathlean Belgin. The arrest of Karen Nicole Pollard , 37, of no fixed address, was carried out in Prince George’s County, Md., following an incident involving Virginia State Police.
The Prince William County Police Department received notification of Pollard’s arrest on January 23, 2024. The suspect is accused of being involved in an altercation with the victim on December 28, 2023, in the 1200 block of Easy Street in Woodbridge. During this incident, Belgin suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body and was pronounced dead on the scene, Prince Willian police said.
Pollard faces serious charges, including murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. She is currently being treated for minor injuries at an area hospital in Maryland and is slated to be extradited back to Prince William County for court proceedings.
The investigation revealed that the shooting stemmed from an earlier argument over fentanyl pills. The victim and the suspect were identified as acquaintances, and arrest warrants were issued for Pollard after detectives connected her to the crime scene.
The police department had previously released information about the murder investigation, offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Pollard.
Pollard’s court date is pending, and her status is listed as awaiting extradition to Virginia. The investigation into the murder continues.
Volunteer firefighters and EMS responders reported 46,246.98 operational hours volunteered, while administrative volunteers had 6,900 hours.
“The commitment of both our operational and administration members at OWL VFD is truly remarkable,” said President Wayne Haight of OWL VFD. “Our volunteers are fully trained and certified, capable of handling various emergencies, and our administration members work tirelessly behind the scenes to support our operational efforts. Together, they embody the spirit of service that defines our organization.”
OWL Volunteer Fire Department is a team of volunteers serving the Woodbridge and Lake Ridge communities. It provides fire and EMS services and conducts educational outreach programs to ensure residents’ well-being.
Emergency responders from OWLVFD swiftly addressed a structure fire on Potomac Branch Drive in Woodbridge on January 20, 2024, at 10:41 p.m.
The incident involved a lamp that ignited in a bedroom. Upon arrival, crews efficiently managed the situation, successfully extinguishing the fire. Fortunately, the occupants had self-evacuated, and there were no reported injuries.
In response to the recent surge in crime rates in Prince William County, Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin is set to host a Zoom town hall meeting on Monday, January 22, at 7 p.m. The town hall aims to address community concerns and provide insights into the county’s current public safety situation.
The decision to hold this annual town hall comes on the heels of a shooting in Woodbridge, resulting in the first homicide victim in Prince William County for the year 2024. A woman lost her life after being shot and taken to a local hospital.
Franklin will be joined by Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham and Captain Dave Smith as guest speakers for the event.
The county’s annual 2023 crime report underscored concerning trends in violent crime, with a staggering 70% increase from 2019 to 2022. This category encompasses offenses such as murder, manslaughter, rape, sodomy, and robbery.
The report showed the overall crime rate had surged by 23% in the past year alone, translating to 38 reported crimes per 1,000 county residents, up from 32 in 2021. Most of the increased crime has been reported along the Route 1 corridor in Woodbridge.
Prince William County saw 22 homicides in 2023, two more than in 2022.
The town hall will be conducted virtually. Here’s the Zoom event link, and for those who prefer to watch without active participation, the live stream will be available on YouTube at YouTube.com/@WoodbridgeBOCS.
Franklin, a Democrat, has entered the race for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. This move follows the announcement by incumbent Democrat Abigail Spanberger that she will not seek re-election but instead run for Virginia’s governorship in 2025.
Derrick Anderson, a U.S. Army Green Beret from Spotsylvania, is vying for the Republican nomination after an unsuccessful attempt in the 2022 GOP Primary Election.
Franklin recently secured re-election to the Prince William Board of County Supervisors and has been part of a progressive majority that has brought significant changes to the county government.
Notable decisions include hiring Christopher Shorter as one of the highest-paid county executives in the Washington, D.C., region and advocating for increased police salaries. Franklin also played a role in establishing a racial and social justice commission while voting to abolish a federal partnership on immigration enforcement.
Despite active community engagement, Franklin has faced criticism from restaurant owners in her district, particularly regarding a contentious meals tax. Former Chair At-large Ann Wheeler, who faced criticism alongside Franklin, lost the 2023 Primary Election to Democrat Deshundra Jefferson, now the At-large Chair of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors.
Franklin’s political background includes eight years as a congressional aide and subsequent work as the vice president of a PR firm starting in 2020. The 7th District, covering eastern Prince William County, leans towards Democrats and includes Stafford, Spotsylvania counties, and Fredericksburg.
On January 13, 2024, El Salvador’s vice president, Dr. Félix Ulloa, Jr., visited Woodbridge, one of his stops on his U.S. tour.
Since beginning his term in June of 2019, Ulloa has helped promote peace within Salvadoran communities in favor of seeking reverse migration of people back to his country.
In his visit to Woodbridge, which took place at El Ranchon Steakhouse at 13638 Richmond Highway., He highlighted the many successes that have occurred so far with his administration. With zero homicides in more than 300 days, Ulloa promoted the policies of the current Salvadoran president, Nayib Bukele, in the upcoming term.
During his meeting, Ulloa met with multiple community leaders, including Manassas Councilwoman Sonia Vasquez Luna and Prince William County Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega. An open meeting with the public then followed.
According to Fred Cooper, Vega’s chief of staff, both politicians hope to continue decreasing gang and crime rates. And with El Salvador recently opening overseas electronic voting for the first time, Ulloa hopes to encourage voters abroad to re-elect Bukele in the 2024 election.
Ulloa has visited various states in his U.S. tour, including Texas, Maryland, North Carolina, and Nevada. He is still traveling and meeting with public officials following his journey here.
Prince William police reported the following incidents:
Shooting Investigation:
– Occurred on January 17 at Elevations One Apartments in Woodbridge
– 23-year-old man with gunshot wounds, non-life-threatening injuries
– No evidence found at the reported location; investigation ongoing
Strong-Arm Robbery – Suspect Identified and Arrested:
– Arrested: Alexander Garjay KAY-KAY, 19, of 10316 Butternut Cl. near Manassas
– Charged with robbery
– Arrest Date: January 17
– Court Date: Pending | Status: Remains Incarcerated
Attempted Strong-Arm Robbery:
– Occurred on December 6 at Walmart in Haymarket
– Victim, a 29-year-old man, was assaulted during a phone sale transaction
– Suspect fled on foot; no injuries reported
Abduction | Domestic Related – Suspect Arrested:
– Arrested: Franklin Humberto GUZMAN-CANALES, 23, of 6708 Tower Dr. in Alexandria
– Charged with abduction and domestic assault & battery
– Arrest Date: January 17
– Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Domestic Dispute and Assault:
– Occurred on December 21 at a residence in Woodbridge
– Victim, a 22-year-old woman, was physically assaulted by the accused
– Victim treated for non-life-threatening injuries
Aggravated Sexual Battery – Accused Arrested:
– Arrested: Juan Carlos VIDES GUEVARA, 26, of 3913 Findley Dr. in Woodbridge
– Charged with aggravated sexual battery, attempted aggravated sexual battery, and forcible sodomy
– Arrest Date: January 9
– Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Strangulation | Domestic Related – Juvenile Arrested:
– Arrested: 17-year-old male juvenile of Woodbridge
– Charged with strangulation
– Arrest Date: January 17
– Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held at the Juvenile Detention Center
Prince William police reported the following incidents:
Indecent Exposure – January 16, 9:11 AM
On January 16, at 9:11 a.m. officers responded to the area of Potomac Mills Road near Opitz Blvd. in Woodbridge to investigate an indecent exposure incident. Two female victims, aged 29 and 37, reported that an unknown man, identified as Rodney Kayne BYRNE, exposed himself and made inappropriate gestures. The women promptly contacted the police, leading to the detention of the accused without incident. Following the investigation, Rodney Kayne BYRNE, 33, of no fixed address, was charged with indecent exposure. His court date is pending, and he has been released on a court summons.
Aggravated Malicious Wounding | Domestic Related – January 14, 2:14 AM
On January 14 at 2:14 a.m, officers responded to a home in the 3400 block of Logstone Drive in Triangle for a domestic dispute. The investigation revealed a verbal altercation between a 48-year-old woman (the victim) and a family member identified as Nelson VILLATORO MORALES. The situation escalated, and the accused pushed the victim, causing her to fall down the stairs.
The victim was transported to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Following the investigation, Nelson VILLATORO MORALES, 46, of the 3400 block of Logstone Dr. in Triangle, was arrested and charged with aggravated malicious wounding and domestic assault & battery. His court date is pending, and he is held without bond.
