Three men, two of which were wanted, were found and captured after a pursuit that started and ended in the area of Centreport Parkway of Stafford County Tuesday.
On July 23 at approximately 5:36 p.m. 1st Sgt. A.I. Assur was on Kings Highway when he observed a wanted suspect in a black Honda Civic. Unable to conduct a traffic stop at the time, Assur broadcasted the vehicle description to nearby deputies and the Virginia State Police. Moments later, the vehicle was spotted by deputies traveling northbound on Richmond Highway in the area of Centreport Parkway.
Deputy J.W. McAlister activated his emergency equipment in an attempt to conduct a high-risk stop; however, the driver fled at a high rate of speed onto northbound Interstate 95 while failing to maintain the lane of travel.
Additional deputies, with the assistance of Virginia State Police, pursued the vehicle as it traveled northbound and exited westbound onto Courthouse Road, before getting on Interstate 95 southbound towards Centreport Parkway. When the suspect vehicle began traveling eastbound on Centreport, McAlister made intentional vehicle contact. The vehicle was pushed off the roadway and up an embankment, ending the pursuit. As a result of the crash, one deputy sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a nearby hospital.
The three occupants within the suspect vehicle took off on foot. The driver, who fled across the northbound I-95 ramp and up an embankment was apprehended by Deputy B.E. Vaughn.
The driver had pinpoint pupils, slurred speech, and was unsteady on his feet. Due to these signs of intoxication, Deputy D.S. Jett conducted field sobriety tests. Jett, who is also a certified phlebotomist, collected the driver’s blood for testing. DUI charges are pending those results. During his attempt to flee, the driver discarded a bottle containing suspected controlled substances.
The second occupant ran across Centreport Parkway towards the northbound I-95 off ramp. Deputy B.W. Gildea was able to apprehend the suspect without further incident. That suspect was wanted by the U.S. Marshals.
The third occupant ran into the nearby woods as Sgt. B.U. Demirci gave chase. Demirci located the suspect’s shoes he left behind. Deputy F.A. Martinez deployed his K-9 partner, Mija, who led deputies to the suspect, who attempted to flee again. The suspect ran directly towards members of the SWAT team who were assisting and was taken into custody without further incident.
The driver, Nicholas Morales, 28, of Woodbridge, was charged with felony eluding, driving while revoked, felony hit and run, eluding police on foot, obstruction of justice, littering, possession of controlled substances, reckless driving, and failure to maintain his lane. He was wanted out of Prince William County for felony eluding, reckless driving, driving while revoked, and having expired registration. He was served on those warrants and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
The back passenger, Ajee Whitter, 30, of Arlington, was charged with felony failure to report a hit and run with injury, and eluding police on foot. He was wanted by the U.S. Marshals for an escape offense. He was served on those warrants and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
The front passenger, Raymond Whalen, 24, of Chantilly, was charged with felony failure to report a hit and run with injury, and eluding police on foot. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
