WOODBRIDGE, VA — On Thursday at 2:27 PM, police were called to a home on Castlebridge Ln. due to an assault report. A 20-year-old woman witnessed an acquaintance, later identified as Prince Jakim Isaiah Maldonado, trespassing in her backyard.
As she tried to enter her home, Maldonado followed and forcefully entered, assaulting her and brandishing a firearm. He prevented her from calling emergency services by breaking her phone, although another family member was able to alert the police. Maldonado fled before officers arrived but was arrested on May 20.
The victim sustained minor injuries. It was later discovered that Maldonado had taken the victim’s vehicle without permission, which was subsequently recovered and returned. Maldonado, 24, from Dumfries, faces multiple charges including strangulation, armed burglary, abduction, and illegal possession of a firearm, among others.
He remains in custody with a pending court date.
He was captured by the U.S. Marshals.
20-Year-Old Joshua Whack Arrested for Murder of Newport News Man
NEWPORT NEWS, VA — A fatal stabbing on Thursday in the 11100 block of Mintwood Place has led to the arrest of 20-year-old Joshua Whack. Newport News Police were called to the scene at approximately 12:54 p.m., where they discovered 50-year-old Horace Whack III, suffering from stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Joshua Whack, who was known to the victim and also resides at the same address, was detained at the scene. After a preliminary investigation, he has been charged with first-degree murder and the use of a knife in the commission of a felony. Authorities have confirmed that they are not seeking any additional suspects in this case
Deputies Apprehend Ditch Driver With Deer’s AssistanceStafford, VA – Two Woodbridge men were apprehended by deputies with the unexpected help of a deer in an incident involving a single-vehicle auto accident at the intersection of Widewater Road and Telegraph Road on a recent Saturday night. Deputy K.F. Bierfeldt responded to a call reporting a vehicle trapped in a ditch, arriving to find a Toyota lodged against the roadside.
The driver of the vehicle explained that he had swerved to avoid hitting a deer while driving southbound on Widewater Road, causing him to lose control and veer off the road. Despite not holding a valid license, the driver faced charges for reckless driving, endangering life or limb while unlicensed, and driving with a revoked license, resulting in his confinement at Rappahannock Regional Jail pending further legal proceedings.
The passenger of the vehicle sustained injuries during the incident and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, where authorities discovered that he was wanted on two outstanding warrants issued by Prince William County. Following his medical care, the passenger will be dealt with in connection to the existing warrants. The Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the deer, humorously named Bambi, for its inadvertent assistance in the apprehension of both a reckless driver and a suspect with unresolved legal matters.
Virginia Trucker’s Decision to Buy Some Chicken Ends with $500,000 Lottery WinSouth Boston, VA – Russell Gomes, a resident of South Boston, won the $500,000 top prize in the Virginia Lottery’s Magnificent 7s scratcher game.
Gomes purchased the winning ticket at the Food Lion located at 3346 Halifax Road after getting off work and buying some chicken. He scratched the ticket in the parking lot and discovered his win.
“I really didn’t believe it!” he told Lottery officials when redeeming his ticket. “It feels great!”
Gomes, who drives a tractor-trailer, has no immediate plans for his winnings other than paying for a previously planned vacation.
Magnificent 7s is one of the many scratcher games offered by the Virginia Lottery, with prizes ranging from $20 to $500,000. This is the first top prize claimed in this game, leaving two top prizes still unclaimed. The odds of winning the top prize are 1 in 612,000, while the odds of winning any prize are 1 in 5.9.
Animal Welfare League Reports Bear Sightings in Arlington AreaARLINGTON, VA — The Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) has reported multiple sightings of a juvenile black bear, presumed to be male, in the northern region of Arlington. Residents are advised not to track the animal and to keep pets on a leash and trash securely fastened. Sightings should be reported to AWLA at (703) 931-9241.
Belligerent Drunkard Taunted Police While Continuing to DrinkSTAFFORD, VA—A man was arrested early Wednesday morning at the Wawa on South Gateway Drive for public intoxication and consuming alcohol in public view. The incident occurred at approximately 2:44 AM.
First Sergeant N. Zotos and Deputy J.A. Martin responded to a call from a woman who reported that a man had aggressively demanded she contact the police because he was intoxicated. Upon arrival, deputies located the suspect who not only admitted to being drunk but also continued to consume alcohol in their presence.
Due to his belligerent behavior, the man was detained and is being held pending his ability to participate in a bond hearing.
More Breaking News
MTA Bus Driver Assaulted with Pepper Spray in the BronxBRONX, NY—An MTA bus driver was the victim of an assault while on duty on Friday, May 3, 2024. The incident occurred at approximately 4:20 PM on the BX28 bus route near Valentine Avenue and East 192 Street. An unidentified assailant approached the 51-year-old male driver and discharged pepper spray into his face before fleeing the scene on foot in an unknown direction.
The bus driver experienced pain and swelling to his face and was subsequently transported by EMS to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, where he is reported to be in stable condition. Authorities are currently investigating the assault and are seeking any information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the suspect involved in this unprovoked attack.
NYPD Seeks Help Locating Missing Teen from BrooklynBROOKLYN, NY—The New York City Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating 15-year-old Erick Concepcion, who has been missing since Friday, May 17, 2024. Erick was last seen at approximately 8:30 AM leaving his residence at 178 Schaefer Street within the 83 Precinct area.
Erick Concepcion is described as being about 5'8" tall and weighs approximately 135 pounds. He was last observed wearing a red and black sweater, ripped jeans, and red and black sneakers.
The NYPD urges anyone with information about Erick’s whereabouts to contact the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted online at the Crime Stoppers website https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or via Twitter @NYPDTips.
Two Men Charged in Fatal Shooting in Middle VillageQUEENS, NY – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has announced the arraignment of Dante Hunter and Shamel Capers following their indictment in connection with the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Joshua Taylor in Middle Village on July 23, 2023. Hunter is charged with murder, and Capers with attempted murder, among other charges.
The incident, which unfolded in the early hours of July 23 last year, began when a friend of Taylor's threw a drink towards Capers and a friend outside a convenience store, sparking a verbal dispute that escalated into a shootout. Hunter, who joined Capers, is alleged to have fired the round that killed Taylor. The exchange of gunfire resulted in more than two dozen 9 mm shell casings recovered at the scene.
Hunter, 25, of Far Rockaway, faces charges including second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Capers, 24, of Brooklyn, faces charges of attempted murder and weapon possession. Both defendants could face up to 25 years to life if convicted of their respective top charges.
The investigation was spearheaded by Detective Christopher Gerardi of the NYPD’s 104th Precinct Detective Squad and Detective Lizabeth Klein of the Queens North Homicide Squad. Capers was arrested on May 16 in New Jersey and has been extradited to New York to face charges, while Hunter was already in custody on a parole warrant at the time of the indictment. Justice Michael Aloise has scheduled their next court appearance for June 18.
Firearm Discovered at Pittsburgh Airport Security Checkpoint, Charges FiledPITTSBURGH, PA – Charges have been filed against Scott Playford of Renfrew, PA, after a firearm was found in his backpack at Pittsburgh International Airport. The incident occurred at 2:29 PM on May 21, 2024, when Transportation Security Administration officers at the airport's main security checkpoint detected the handgun and promptly alerted Allegheny County Police.
Playford, a 45-year-old Canadian citizen residing legally in Pennsylvania, was identified as the backpack's owner. He does not hold a concealed carry permit and now faces a misdemeanor charge for carrying a firearm without a license. Following the discovery, the firearm was seized, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified of the incident.
The Transportation Security Administration warns that passengers who bring firearms to airport security checkpoints could face federal civil fines up to $10,000, with fines for repeat offenders reaching as high as $13,910.
Police In South Jersey to Enforce Seat Belt Use in “Click It or Ticket” CampaignGLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ – The Gloucester Township Police Department announced their participation in the national "Click it or Ticket" campaign, aimed at enforcing seat belt usage. The campaign begins on May 20 and will continue until June 2. This enforcement effort will include high visibility seat belt checkpoints and saturation patrols, specifically targeting areas in town with a high incidence of crashes involving unrestrained occupants.
In addition to road enforcement, Gloucester Township Police Officers from the Traffic Safety Unit will be engaging with high school seniors. They will deliver presentations focused on the risks of driving without a seat belt and the dangers of impaired driving, coinciding with the prom season. This initiative is part of a broader national effort to highlight the life-saving benefits of wearing seat belts.
