The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office evidence room is busy today, and may need more space, after deputies seized an abundance of evidence from a pursuit in North Stafford yesterday.

On June 22nd at 10:00 a.m. Sergeant A.I. Assur attempted to stop a white Kia sedan for a traffic violation on Staffordboro Boulevard near the McDonald’s. Despite the activation of the marked patrol car’s emergency lights and siren, the suspect did a slow speed circle around the fast food restaurant. The suspect followed this warm up lap with a second, higher speed lap around the business.

During the second lap, the driver, and sole occupant of the Kia, tossed a satchel from the window into the parking lot. Sgt. Assur observed a handgun, cash and plastic baggie spill from the satchel into the parking lot. Another deputy was dispatched to the parking lot to collect these items as Sgt. Assur followed the suspect onto Staffordboro Boulevard.

The suspect sped up to 70 mph along Staffordboro Boulevard and then turned in Sunningdale Meadows. The suspect turned onto Westminster Lane, abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into the neighborhood.

Numerous deputies converged on the area and established a perimeter, allowing K-9 to start a track. Deputy J.H. Truslow and his partner K-9 Rip tracked to the rear of the townhomes, along a fence line and recovered one of the suspect’s shoes. K-9 Rip continued the track, heading to the 300 block of Wimbledon Court, where deputies determined the suspect lived.

Eventually, the suspect was convinced to exit the residence and identified as Damion Lambert, 24.

The items in the discarded satchel at McDonald’s included a fully loaded FN 5.7 handgun and over 1,000 suspected fentanyl pills. A search of the suspect vehicle yielded additional fentanyl pills and approximately 10 pounds of marijuana.

Detective N.J. Chiappini was assigned the case and with the assistance of the SWAT Team, a search warrant was executed on the suspect’s residence. Detective R.D. Haney III assisted with a systematic search of the residence. Showing true skill, Detective Haney searched the trash bins at the rear of the home, recovering a glut of guns.

In total, deputies seized 16 firearms (one was illegally modified to be fully automatic), over 20 fully loaded magazines, approximately 10 pounds of marijuana, over 1,000 fentanyl pills, four bottles of liquid Permethezine Codeine (used for the street drug Purple Drank) and over $20,000 in cash.

Lambert has been charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a firearm with drugs, reckless handling of a firearm, eluding, no driver’s license and illegal window tint. He was held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

This is an ongoing investigation.