Vehicle Theft Leaves Woman, Dog Stranded On Capital Beltway

ANNANDALE, VA — A woman and her dog were stranded on the Capital Beltway when a suspect stole her vehicle Wednesday, according to Virginia State Police.

Around 2:18 p.m. Wednesday, state police started receiving calls about a woman holding a dog and flagging down drivers on southbound Interstate 495 near the 53 mile marker (between the Little River Turnpike and Braddock Road exits). When police arrived, the woman reported her vehicle had been stolen.

The woman said she was heading south on I-495 when a Toyota Camry struck her vehicle. The vehicles pulled onto the shoulder, and the Camry driver reportedly walked up and punched her. The woman said the suspect pulled her from her 2021 Toyota Rav4 before driving off in her vehicle. She and the dog remained on the highway's shoulder.

As state troopers were investigating, another driver pulled up and reported that a vehicle struck his vehicle. The man said the suspect punched him and attempted to steal his car. Police say the suspect description was the same as the description the woman gave.

State police were later notified by Maryland authorities that the stolen Rav4 had been located. The suspect, Matthew L. Warsham Dabney, 26, of North Chesterfield, Virginia, was taken into custody on a Virginia charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle. The investigation continues, and additional charges are pending.

The victims refused medical treatment on the scene.