Car Thief Busted After Story Falls Apart In Stafford: Police

STAFFORD, VA—A man driving a stolen car lost police during a chase but later was found walking near the area and provided a phony story that quickly fell apart Friday night, according to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office. Jeffrey Antonio Turcios, 19, of Dumfries, was charged with possession of stolen property, felony eluding, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license, failure to obey a traffic signal and improper lane change.

Around 10:15 p.m., police tried to pull over a vehicle with an expired registration that had left Mr. B's Exxon station in the area of Warrenton Road and Heartfields Lane. The driver pulled over to the right side of the road before speeding away on southbound Warrenton Road. Police ran the tag and found that the vehicle had been reported stolen from Prince William County.

Turcios weaved in and out of traffic and ran a red light at the intersection of Butler Road and Jefferson Davis Highway. That's when the pursing officer lost sight of the vehicle. Police then canvassed the area looking both for the vehicle and the driver.

A suspicious man was spotted walking in the area of Camden Drive and Lancaster Street, and he told police he was walking from his grandmother's house to an Exxon to buy a drink. A deputy asked him to have a seat in the police cruiser. Police contacted Turcios' sister, who said their grandmother doesn't live in Virginia.

After reviewing video surveillance from Mr. B's, police fingered Turcios as the driver of the stolen vehicle. It was found in the area where Turcios was walking, and the owner was contacted.

Photo: Stafford County Sheriff's Office