| MAN CHARGED WITH THEFTS FROM CHURCHES
Stafford, Va. The Stafford County Sheriff's Office reports the arrest of Bryan Christopher Stevens, age 24, of no fixed address. Bryan Stevens has been charged with 3 Counts of Breaking and Entering, 3 Counts of Grand Larceny, 1 Count of Obstructions of Justice, 1 Count of Unlawful Entry and 1 Count of Theft of Services. The charges relate to the recent thefts from three Stafford County churches since January 1, 2012.
Detective Tim Martin, armed with several citizen tips and investigative leads, was able to identify Bryan Stevens as a suspect in the cases involving the recent breaking and entering cases at three churches. On Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at approximately 3:30 pm Detective Martin was able to determine where Stevens was staying and went to the site off of Harris Lane in Stafford County. Stevens was staying in a shed on the property of a vacant residence. When Detective Martin went to the site he observed evidence associated with the thefts on the property where Stevens was staying. Detective Martin called for backup from additional Stafford detectives who responded to the scene. Detectives located Stevens near the shed where he was confronted and asked about the thefts. Stevens ran from detectives but was quickly taken into custody after a short foot pursuit, without further incident. Evidence located at the scene has linked Bryan Stevens to the thefts from Ebenezer United Methodist Church, Ramouth Baptist Church and North Stafford Church of Christ.
On Thursday, January 12, 2012 Stafford detectives, assisted by members of the Prince William County Police Department, executed a search warrant at a residence in the Dumfries area of Prince William County. Detective Martin's investigation indicated that items stolen from the incidents related to Bryan Stevens would be located in the on the property of that residence. As a result of the search warrant, evidence was recovered at the residence that is directly related to the church thefts in Stafford County. Other property was also recovered that was linked to other thefts in Stafford County. This investigation is ongoing. .
"Thanks to the tips from concerned citizens and the dedicated work of the detectives involved in this case,
the individual involved in these crimes has been arrested," States Sheriff Charles Jett. "I appreciate the assistance from the media in helping us get the word out about these crimes. It made a difference."
The Stafford County Sheriff's Office would like to gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the Prince William County Police Department. |
