63°
A Stafford County Sheriff's deputy was driving on Warrenton Road near the Olde Forge neighborhood when he saw a stolen vehicle in the Exxon parking lot around 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, Sheriff David Decatur said.
While the car was empty, a man matching the description of a fugitive, later identified as Job Coffer, was spotted inside of the Exxon station, police said. Coffer asked employees if he could leave through the back door, but they declined, and deputies waited.
It wouldn't take long for Coffer, 35, to leave, the store. He fled on foot past the Motel 6, through a wooded area, up the off ramp for northbound I-95, police said. Coffer crossed the highway and made his way onto the median, separated the north and southbound lanes, authorities said.
Instead of attempting to play a real-life game of Frogger, deputies tracked the suspect from the shoulder, buying time until units traveling southbound could reach the suspect and pause traffic.
Coffer was eventually stopped and found with keys to the stolen car, authorities said. He was wanted out of Fairfax for 18 charges: Six counts of receiving stolen goods, five counts of identity theft, four counts of obtaining money by false pretenses, two counts of forgery, as well as, failure to appear on felony offenses.
He was also wanted out of Maryland for two counts of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, two counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle, two counts of identity fraud, two counts of larceny, as well as, forgery.
Stafford County charged Coffer with possession of a stolen vehicle, fleeing law enforcement, fugitive from justice for his Maryland warrants, as well as, served him on all his Fairfax warrants. Coffer was held without bond.
The story does not end there. At approximately 6:08 a.m. Wednesday, June 28, while at Mary Washington Hospital, Coffer escaped from Rappahannock Regional Jail Officer’s custody and attempted to flee once again. Jail staff and Fredericksburg police officers worked together in order to find him once again. Additional charges may be obtained.
Want breaking news in the DMV as it happens, or want to contribute? Join the DMV All Incidents Facebook group.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Stafford and receive free news updates.
