Spotsylvania Deputies Arrest Caroline County Man In Attempted Commercial Burglary

SPOTSYLVANIA, VA — Spotsylvania County deputies arrested a Caroline County man early April 29 after responding to a commercial alarm in the 3500 block of Shalaby Way in the Fredericksburg area, according to the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the business around 3:30 a.m. and found a man wearing a mask who was attempting to break into the business, according to the sheriff’s office. When the man saw deputies, he ran.

Deputies caught the suspect after a brief foot pursuit and took him into custody without further incident, according to the sheriff’s office. A K9 also responded and conducted an article search for evidence. During that search, the K9 found multiple items the suspect had discarded while running from deputies, according to the sheriff’s office.

Investigators determined that the suspect had attempted to forcibly enter the business, the sheriff’s office said. The suspect was identified as Steven Tankersley III, 45, of Caroline County.

Tankersley was charged with attempted commercial burglary, possession of burglary tools, wearing a mask in public and obstruction of justice, according to the sheriff’s office. He is being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond, the sheriff’s office said.

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On March 28, 2024, Tankersley pleaded guilty in Stafford Circuit Court to a felony charge of grand larceny in connection to an incident that occurred on June 11, 2023, according to court documents. He was sentenced to six years in prison with five years and seven months suspended.

In addition, Tankersley was ordered to pay $841 in court costs and $2,080 in restitution, according to court records. He was sentenced to five years of probation.

Tankersley is scheduled to appear in Stafford Citcuit Court at 9 a.m. on June 18, for a hearing to review restitution in connection to his 2024 conviction, court records say.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone, online or through the P3tips app. Tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-928-5822 or 1-540-582-5822, or by visiting www.p3tips.com and www.spotsylvaniacrimesolvers.org.