The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office captured a serial shoplifter after a brief pursuit in Stafford Market Place last night. Deputies were searching for the “smooth” criminal after a series of skin care product thefts from a local department store last month.

On December 28th First Sergeant D.F. Purcell, Jr. learned of a shoplifting incident at the Target on South Gateway Drive. The suspect was captured on surveillance video stealing a TheraFace Pro facial massage device valued at $399 from the store on both December 24th and December 27th.

In both instances, the suspect removed the massager from the packaging. In a not so smooth move, the suspect proceeded to use his own credit card for a much cheaper purchase, concealed the massager and exited the store. The trend continued as the suspect stole another massager and a $159 headphone from the same Target on December 31st.

First Sergeant Purcell identified the suspect as Michael Vaughns, 63, of Fredericksburg and obtained three petit larceny warrants. Vaughns was already wanted in Stafford County for both a failure to appear and a show cause, in Arlington for a probation violation and in Fairfax for a failure to comply with pretrial.

On January 19th at 7:12 p.m. staff at the Target in Stafford Market Place reported a shoplifting in progress and the suspect was identified as Vaughns. Deputy E. C. Taylor and Deputy M.A. Pearce were in the area and located Vaughns in the parking lot, driving a black Mercedes SUV. A traffic stop was attempted and Vaughns initially complied.

Unfortunately, as deputies approached Vaughns on foot, he drove away, initiating a pursuit. Vaughns drove to the rear of the Target and a female passenger did an amazing tuck and roll dive from the moving vehicle. Incredibly, the woman suffered only minor abrasions.

The pursuit continued along the front of Target, across the access road and a complete lap around the Chili’s. Vaughns proceeded into the parking lot of Bob Evans, but didn’t account for Deputy A.T. Leckemby joining the pursuit. Deputy Leckemby was able to make intentional contact to the passenger side of Vaughns’ vehicle near the Applebee’s restaurant and end the chase. Vaughns was taken into custody without incident. Anyone on a date night at Applebee's had a front row view of the action.

Vaughns was charged with eluding, obstruction, possession of a controlled substance, a new count of petit larceny and abduction for not allowing his female passenger out. The outstanding warrants were served and Vaughns was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. The stolen property from the January 19th incident was recovered and returned to Target.

Great work by the deputies to safely end this pursuit and take the wanted suspect into custody.