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Members of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office were called to diffuse an assault in progress on Providence Street after witnesses reported three suspects had chased a person through the apartment complex.
The three suspects - all wearing hoodies, Adidas pants, and ski masks - eventually caught up to their victim and beat him until he was unconscious, kicked him in the face, and stole his shoes.
A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said that the suspects then fled into a nearby wooded area with the stolen sneakers.
Deputies treated the victim until paramedics arrived, then the search was on for the three teens. A perimeter was established around the area, and investigators called in both a drone team and police K-9 to assist with the manhunt.
Within minutes, two of the suspects ran directly into the arms of a waiting deputy, who was able to confront them and apprehend them without further incident, according to officials.
The third suspect later surfaced from the woods near Bridgeport Circle, where two members of the sheriff’s office were waiting. He too was taken into custody.
While still investigating on New Bedford Court, the teens’ plan became clear as an Uber driver pulled into the cul-de-sac, where he was waiting to meet up with the assault suspects to give them a lift.
However, on Monday, his services were not required, and the sheriff’s office handled their transportation needs.
The suspects were identified as two 15 year olds and a 14-year-old, two from Prince William County, and the third from Stafford. Each was charged with:
- Robbery;
- Assault by mob;
- Aggravated malicious wounding;
- Conspiracy.
They were held at the Juvenile Detention Center.
The victim was transported to an area hospital with “serious” injuries and was later released. His stolen shoes were found in a creek bed in the woods by a police K-9.
During the incident, Hampton Oaks Elementary School was temporarily placed in a partial lockdown as a precaution.
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