An 18-year-old Woodbridge man is being held without bail Friday morning on charges of attempted murder of a police officer and other crimes related to allegations he struck a Prince William County police officer at high speed with a stolen vehicle in Dale. City late Thursday night, resulting in the officer suffering serious injuries.
Valmiki Deo Chandler, 18, of Woodbridge, was being held without bond Friday after allegedly hitting a Prince William County police officer at a high rate of speed in Dale City.
The injured officer fired his weapon at the suspect before he was hit by the vehicle, but the man was not injured in the shooting, according to police.
The suspect initially fled the incident, which took place on Oust Lane in Dale City, but was found and arrested at 1:30 a.m. Friday, more than three hours after the officer was hit.
The suspect was found trying to get out of a wooded area near Dale Boulevard and Princedale Drive, according to Prince William County police.
The police officer remained hospitalized Friday morning after suffering a “significant head injury” when he was hit by the stolen vehicle. The officer’s condition continues to improve, however, and he is expected to make a full recovery, according to Sgt. Jonathan Perok, spokesman for the Prince William County Police Department.
The incident began around 10:06 p.m., Thursday, June 22, when Prince William County police responded to the 7-Eleven at 14797 Darbydale Ave. in Dale City in response to a stolen 2012 Dodge Journey. The caller told police they left the store to find their vehicle, which was left unlocked with the keys inside, had been stolen from the parking lot, Perok said in a news release.
Shortly before 11 p.m., an officer spotted the stolen vehicle on Oust Lane in Dale City, a residential area east of the intersection of Hoadly Road and Dale Boulevard.
As the officer stood at the driver’s side window, the driver sped off, made a U-turn, and then drove directly at the officer at a high rate of speed. The officer fired his department-issued handgun before being struck by the vehicle, Perok said in a news release.
The driver then lost control of the vehicle and crashed a short distance away before fleeing on foot.
At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Friday, June 23, during an extensive search of the area, the suspect was located near Dale Boulevard and Princedale Drive and taken into custody by members of the Department’s Bureau of Special Investigations of Prince William County Police, according to the release.
Valmiki Deo Chandler, 18, of 4513 Eastlawn Ave. in Woodbridge, was arrested and charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated malicious wounding, felony hit and run, felony eluding, and grand theft auto theft in connection with the incident Chandler was being held without bond Friday morning pending a court hearing, the release said.
Residents in and around Oust Lane in Dale City can expect a heavy police presence as the investigation continues.
This is breaking news. It will be updated.
