Dispute At Local Car Dealership Leads to Multiple Arrests

A dispute over a vehicle at a local car dealership resulted in one person sustaining injuries from an assault and multiple other persons being arrested.

On Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at approximately 4:45pm deputies from the Stafford Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the Autobility located at 355 Warrenton Road in reference to an assault in progress. Deputies arrived on scene to find the owner of the business suffering from facial injuries from an apparent assault. Deputy J.J. Bryan investigated the incident and learned that the suspect later identified as Shakeer Jamal Ruffin, age 20 of Dumfries had assaulted the owner of the business and fled the scene prior to his arrival. Further investigation revealed that Ruffin had been asked to return a black Ford Explorer he had in his possession after the bank loan fell through. Ruffin returned with the vehicle and an argument over money ensued between Ruffin and the business owner. The business owner removed the rear license plate off the vehicle and began to remove the front license plate when Ruffin suddenly attacked him. It was reported that Ruffin punched the business owner several times, knocking him to the ground. Ruffin then stood over top of the business owner and repeatedly beat him about the head and face. A witness eventually intervened and pulled Ruffin off the victim. Ruffin then quickly fled the scene, driving off in the black Ford Explorer. Deputies quickly located Ruffin and the vehicle in the area of the Chatham Bridge. Ruffin was questioned and ultimately taken into custody.

While Ruffin was at the magistrate’s office receiving a bond hearing, deputies were again dispatched to the Autobility, this time for a disturbance. Deputies arrived on scene to find a crowd of people, most of whom were family members of Ruffin. The crowd was screaming and cursing at the business owner as well as the responding deputies. Deputy J.J. Howell learned that two females from the crowd barged into the business, yelling and screaming at the business owner in reference to the earlier incident with Ruffin. Those females were later identified as Shelby Bianca Thornton, age 27 of Spotsylvania County and Sabina Mae Richards, age 40 of Tappahannock. While screaming at the business owner, Thornton picked up a computer from the owners desk and slammed it down. Thornton then threatened to burn down his house and kill him.

Additional deputies were called to the scene as the crowd became increasingly vocal and agitated. Deputies eventually took Thornton and Richards into custody for their part in the disturbance. While doing so some members of the crowd became more aggressive toward deputies. Deputies instructed the crowd to leave the property. One individual refused to leave and became increasingly aggressive toward deputies. That individual was later identified as Rodney Alexander Weeks, age 24 of Tappahannock. Weeks advanced on deputies with a clenched fist and a barrage of curse words. Other members of the crowd attempted to hold Weeks back but he continued to engage deputies. Deputies eventually took Weeks into custody for his actions.

Shakeer Jamal Ruffin was charged with one count of Malicious Bodily Injury and one count of Disorderly Conduct. He is currently incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

Shelby Bianca Thornton was charged with one count of Threats to Burn and one count of Failure to Identify to a Law Enforcement Officer. Thornton was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail under a $5000 bond.

Sabina Mae Richards was charged with one count of Disorderly Conduct. She was released on her own recognizance.

Rodney Alexander Weeks was charged with one count of Disorderly Conduct and one count of Trespassing. He was also released on his own recognizance.