2 wanted men found, 1 officer flown out after Stafford police chase

Scene on Centreport Pkwy in StaffordPhoto bySCSO

Three men were arrested on Centreport Parkway after a high-speed chase that left a Stafford officer injured.

Around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, First Sergeant A.I. Assur saw a wanted suspect in a black Honda Civic on Kings Highway, Stafford County Sheriff stated. But because he was unable to make a traffic stop at that time, he alerted other Stafford officers and Virgina State Police.

Deputy J.W. McAlister spotted the car on Richmond Highway and attempted to make a traffic stop, but the car took off at a high rate of speed and went onto I-95 North, SCSO reported.

Other deputies and Virginia State Police joined the chase on I-95 and were led to Courthouse Rd., I-95 South, and then Centreport Pkwy. According to SCSO, McAlister, who is P.I.T.-certified, used the maneuver to push the Civic off the road, and it ran up an embankment.

A deputy was injured as a result of the crash, the sheriff's office stated. He was medevacked with what SCSO describes as non-life-threatening injuries.

The crashed Civic on the embankmentPhoto bySCSO

SCSO said the three men in the car got out and ran.

The driver, Nicholas Morales, a 28-year-old Woodbridge man, ran across the I-95 North ramp and started up an embankment, SCSO reported. While attempting to get away, he allegedly threw a bottle that contained what’s suspected to be drugs. The sheriff’s office said he had difficulty getting up the embankment and was caught by deputy B.E. Vaughn.

Morales is charged with felony eluding, driving while revoked, felony hit and run, eluding police on foot, obstruction of justice, littering, possession of controlled substances, reckless driving, and failure to maintain his lane.

Nicholas MoralesPhoto bySCSO

At the time, he wanted out of Prince William County for felony eluding, reckless driving, driving while revoked, and having an expired registration. Those warrants were also served, said SCSO.

The back passenger, Ajee Whitter, 30, of Arlington, also ran toward the I-95 North ramp. But, according to SCSO, he ran in front Deputy B.W. Gildea’s vehicle, and the officer jumped out and apprehended him.

Ajee WhitterPhoto bySCSO

Whitter is charged with felony failure to report a hit and run with injury and eluding police on foot. SCSO found out he was wanted by the U.S. Marshals for an escape offense.

The front passenger, Raymond Whalen, 24, of Chantilly, ran into the woods and got away from Sergeant B.U. Demirci. But Whalen left his shoes along the way, SCSO reported, and Deputy F.A. Martinez deployed K-9 Mija to track him.

Mija led deputies to Whalen but he ran again. SCSO said members of the SWAT team had finished an operation around the time of the chase and were in the area. They set up a perimeter and Whalen ran towards them and was caught.

Raymond WhalenPhoto bySCSO

He is charged with felony failure to report a hit and run with injury, and eluding police on foot.

All three men are being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

Follow the Watchful Eye on Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram to keep up with what's happening in Virginia!