WASHINGTON — A 20-year-old Woodbridge, Virginia, man is in police custody after his involvement in a chase a hourslong search in Fairfax County Thursday morning.
Fairfax County police say an officer attempted to stop a 1996 Toyota Avalon for a traffic violation at about 6:22 a.m., but the driver wouldn’t pull over and sped away. The vehicle pulled over near Ofaly Road and the driver and four passengers fled from the vehicle.
Officers and K-9 teams searched for the suspects described as three black men and two black females — all in their 20s — in the area near Popes Head Road and the Fairfax County Parkway between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.
One police cruiser crashed on Fairfax County Parkway as an officer was trying to get to the scene of the chase. The officer suffered minor injuries.
At about 10 a.m., an officer located a suspect, believed to be the driver, in the woods near Fairfax County Parkway. He was taken into custody in a wooded area in the 11600 block of Popes Head Road.
Police say they believe the remaining four suspects are not in the area.
A resident transported what are believed to be the four other suspects to a gas station on Ox and Zion roads around 9 a.m. They went to the resident’s house and asked for a ride, saying they were out of gas. Once they arrived as the gas station, the resident asked about their situation and they all fled.
The man called police, but officials say given the time elapsed, it is likely that the suspects are not in the area. Still, police say people should contact police if they observe any unusual or suspicious activity in the area.
The suspect in custody, whose name has not yet been released, has pending charges of reckless driving, speeding to elude police and driving on a revoked license.
Additional charges may be placed pending further investigation.
Police say the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information can contact police at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or call Fairfax County police at 703-691-2131.
