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Robert Ouzts, 22, chose to work against police, not with them during the annual National Night Out event on Tuesday afternoon, landing him a spot behind bars after attempting to avoid his arrest on a host of charges.
According to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office, at around 3:45 p.m. on Oct. 1, deputies were conducting traffic control as the celebration was set to begin in Stafford Market Place when a motorcyclist without a license plate being driven by a man without a helmet made his way into the parking lot, nearly striking several pedestrians.
Deputies attempted to catch up to Ouzts as he drove past several storefronts toward Staffordboro Boulevard, where he was boxed in near the intersection of Stafford Market Place.
A spokesperson for the sheriff's office said that Ouzts tried to find an escape route, but was unable to do so, at which point he assaulted one deputy and attempted to flee on foot - literally out of his shoes - in the ill-fated flight attempt.
Ouzts then ran back into Stafford Market Place, where there were multiple deputies and law enforcement professionals waiting for him.
The pursuit continued to the area of Little Caesars, at which point Ouzts sprinted in a different direction toward another deputy, who was able to deploy a Taser-like device, subduing him.
The Dumfries resident was treated by Fire and Rescue personnel and later charged with:
- Assault and battery on law enforcement;
- Obstruction of justice by force;
- Reckless driving;
- Driving on a suspended license;
- Operating a motorcycle without a motorcycle endorsement;
- Operating a motorcycle without a helmet;
- Driving without insurance, a registration, or inspection.
He was also served on the outstanding warrants and held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
"While the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office had several live demonstrations prepared for National Night Out, this incident was not on the program," a spokesperson for the sheriff's office mused. "Excellent work by the deputies to get this wanted reckless driver off the streets of Stafford County."
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