Manassas City Police Beat 3/27/12

Hit & Run
Manassas City police officers are investigating a Hit & Run incident that occurred between 9 a.m. on Friday, March 23, 2012 and 7 a.m. on Monday, March 26, 2012, near the Greater Manassas Volunteer Rescue Squad station, located at 9322 Center Street. A city employee told officers that sometime during the weekend, someone struck a traffic control box located near the rescue squad station. The cost to replace the destroyed traffic box was estimated at approximately $7,300. This is an ongoing investigation.

Fraud
Manassas City police officers are investigating a fraud that occurred on March 24, 2012. The victim told officers that she used her credit card at a local business at approximately 2 p.m. and attempted to use it again at 4 p.m., when she was informed that it had been fraudulently used via internet, multiple times on the same date. This is an ongoing investigation.

Hit & Run
On March 23, 2012, Manassas City police officers responded to the area of Berkshire Street and Caladium Drive, regarding a Hit & Run. The victim told officers that on March 22, 2012, at approximately 11:30 p.m., his 1998 Dodge was parked on the 9200 block of Taney Road when it was struck by a Chevrolet van. On March 23, 2012, the victim found the van on Berkshire Street. The driver of the van could not be located. The registration tags on the van are Virginia, “XEW-6532”. The victim’s vehicle sustained approximately $150 in damages. This is an ongoing investigation.

Domestic Assault Arrest
On March 22, 2012, at approximately 3:25 p.m., Manassas City police officers were dispatched to the 9000 block of Weir Street, regarding an assault. Upon their arrival, they observed Samantha Ashley Cassell, 19, of 9008 Weir Street, punching the victim numerous times. Police quickly separated the parties and placed Cassell under arrest for Assault. She was released on her signature by the duty magistrate. 

Assault on Law Enforcement Arrest
On March 23, 2012, at approximately 9 p.m., Manassas City police officers were patrolling the 9800 block of Buckner Road when they observed several people coming out of a house fighting. Officers were surrounded by people yelling at them while breaking up several fights. An officer was pushed by a juvenile while attempting to detain him. Lawrence Watson, 68, of 9815 Buckner Road, tried to stop the officer by pulling the juvenile away from the officer. Watson was placed under arrest and charged with Obstruction of Justice. He was later released on his own signature by the duty magistrate. Petitions are pending on one 16-year- old juvenile for Assault. Petitions are also pending on another 16-year-old juvenile for Assault and Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.

Marijuana Citation
On March 24, 2012, at approximately 11:25 p.m., a Manassas City police officer was patrolling the area of the Homestyle Inn, located at 9913 Cockrell Road, when he observed a 2006 Toyota pull into the parking lot with its headlights off. Further investigation revealed that Joseph Henry Washington, 21, of 7803 King Court was in possession of marijuana. Washington was cited for Possession of Marijuana and released on his signature. His court date was set for May 8, 2012.

Marijuana Citation
On March 26, 2012, at approximately 2:05 a.m., a Manassas City police officer was patrolling the area of Byrd Drive near Aspen Place, when he observed the driver of a 2011 Chevrolet driving erratically. The traffic stop concluded with the driver, Douglas Macauthor Travis Jr, being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. During a search of Travis’ person, a small baggie of marijuana was found in his pocket. An additional charge of Possession of Marijuana was placed on Travis Jr. Douglas Macauthor Travis Jr. was held at the Prince William County Adult Detention Center, on a $3,000 bond. His court date was set for May 8, 2012.