Stafford County is either really good at hide and seek, or wanted individuals are really bad at it. Another wanted man was located Sunday after deputies located a stolen vehicle.

On March 19th at approximately 6:58 a.m. Deputy M.E. Gordon was checking the Red Roof Inn, located at 386 Warrenton Road. While there, she observed a Ford Focus that was stolen out of Spotsylvania on the 16th. In an attempt to locate who might be in possession of the stolen vehicle, additional deputies responded to conduct surveillance on the vehicle.

Detective J.T. Lynch happened to be in the area and responded to assist. Detective Lynch observed a man exit the Red Roof Inn and enter the stolen vehicle. Detective Lynch and Deputy Gordon began to converge on the suspect as he walked back towards his room. As soon as the suspect noticed Deputy Gordon, he pulled up his pants and attempted to run; however, that didn’t go as planned. Due to how his pants sagged he was unable to move very fast, or very far. Deputy Gordon was able to catch up to him with little effort needed. The suspect began resisting, but deputies were able to get him into custody.

The suspect was identified as Tahj Ford, 25, of Fredericksburg. Ford was currently wanted out of Spotsylvania for four felony capiases, and wanted out of Stafford for felony probation violations, identity theft, and falsely identifying himself to law enforcement. Ford attempted to fool deputies using the Jedi mind trick stating he was not the man that entered the stolen vehicle. His trick however, quickly fell apart when Detective Lynch informed him he observed Ford enter the stolen Ford.

During a search incident to arrest, suspected controlled substances were located on Ford’s person. Inside the vehicle deputies located suspected drug paraphernalia. Ford was served on his outstanding warrants, as well as, charged with receiving stolen goods, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and obstruction of justice. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. The stolen vehicle was returned to the rightful owner.