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Booze Bandit Involved In Police Pursuit Arrested; Driver At Large, Stafford Sheriff Says

Adrian Barett was hoping to trade one vice for another, but wound up behind bars for his troubles, according to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office.

Adrian Barett

Adrian Barett

Photo Credit: Stafford County Sheriff
Some of the booze stolen by the duo.

Some of the booze stolen by the duo.

Photo Credit: Stafford County Sheriff
The wanted driver

The wanted driver

Photo Credit: Stafford County Sheriff

He was arrested on Tuesday, though his driver remains at large following a string of alcohol larcenies that led to a high-speed police pursuit that went from Stafford into Prince William County, officials say.

Barett, 21, of Woodridge, was arrested, though his accomplice remains at large a day after a pair of robberies were reported in Stafford County.

The booze bandits' spree began at approximately 6:53 p.m. on July 30 at an ABC Store on Garrisonville Road, where they took nearly $250 worth of drinks before fleeing in a blue Honda Odyssey, according to investigators.

"Staff further advised these two suspects had been targeting various ABC stores throughout Virginia," a spokesperson for the Stafford County Sheriff's Office said. "With this extra information, deputies prepared in case another store was hit."

Sure enough, minutes later, at around 7:14 p.m. on Tuesday night, officers were called to 50 North Stafford Complex Court to investigate another robbery. 

In that instance, the suspects matched the descriptions provided, and they again fled in a blue Honda.

This time, investigators were able to track down the Odyssey in the area of Garrisonville Road and Eustace Road, and when they attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the driver took off, leading to a pursuit.

According to the sheriff's office, speeds began to increase, and a pedestrian was nearly struck in the area of Salisbury Drive, though the driver continued down Garrison Road before turning onto the northbound lanes of Richmond Highway into Prince William County, at which point the pursuit was terminated "due to unsafe conditions." 

However, deputies were not done yet, and during a canvas of the area, they found the Honda unoccupied on Eby Drive, and Barett was located not far away by a police K9.

Barett admitted to stealing the alcohol with the intent to sell it for fentanyl.

 Inside the vehicle - which was reported stolen out of Prince William County - officers found the stolen booze and suspected controlled substances.

He was charged with possession of controlled substances, possession of a stolen vehicle, and obstruction of justice. He's being held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

The driver was not located as of Wednesday, July 31, though he was caught on surveillance video and photos have been released to the public.

Check Daily Voice for updates.

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