Thanks to the quick thinking of Stafford deputies, a stolen car was recovered yesterday morning and the suspect is in jail.

On February 27th Deputy C.C. Crossett responded to a motor vehicle theft from the Marriott Courtyard on Corporate Drive. The owner of a black 2002 Honda Civic reported the unoccupied vehicle was stolen from the parking lot between noon and 3:00 p.m.

On February 28th at 7:20 a.m. Deputy K.L. Busch located the stolen vehicle travelling northbound on Richmond Highway. She maintained surveillance as other deputies prepared to deploy spike strips further north of her location.

A traffic stop was initiated near the jail with the assistance of First Sergeant J.J. Kreider, but the suspect continued northbound. The suspect slowed as he approached South Campus Boulevard and pulled into the turn lane, but continued to inch forward and did not put the vehicle into park.

Deputy S.C. Martin approached from the southbound side and used his push bumper to cuddle up against the front of the stolen car, eliminating any escape route. The driver was subsequently removed from the stolen car and arrested without incident.

The driver was identified as Rashad Morey, 20. Deputies learned this was a crime of opportunity, as the suspect revealed the keys were left in the vehicle. Morey was charged with grand larceny and due to items in the stolen vehicle he was additionally charged with petit larceny and credit card theft. He was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $1,500 bond.

The stolen car was undamaged and returned to the rightful owner. Great work by the deputies to prevent a pursuit, recover stolen property and arrest the suspect in this case. As a reminder, do not leave your keys or other valuables in your vehicle.