Stafford Man Arrested After Store Heist and Police Chase

Bradley Scott Patterson, 30, of Stafford.Photo bySCSO/Rappahannock Regional Jail

STAFFORD, Va. – A Stafford man is behind bars after helping himself to merchandise from a retail store and leading police on a foot pursuit.

According to a media release on the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Facebook page, deputies responded to the Stafford Market Place Kohl’s, for a shoplifting in progress, at approximately 5:20 p.m.

During the initial call, store associates advised that they were watching a male subject stuff merchandise into a duffle bag.

As deputies arrived on scene, the suspect was leaving the store. As soon as he saw law enforcement, his pace quickened. One officer pursued the subject in his police cruiser, and the other officer pursued on-foot. At one point, due to the terrain, both officers ended up pursuing the subject on foot.

As the chase reached the Prosperity Lane Circle K, one of the deputies was able to catch up to the subject, who immediately began to resist arrest. A third man, who identified himself as a United States Marshall, quickly assisted the officers. The suspect was detained and arrested without further incident.

The suspect, Bradley Scott Patterson, 30, of Stafford, was found to be under the influence. He also had suspected controlled substances on his person.

Patterson was charged with larceny, fleeing from law enforcement, public intoxication, possession of controlled substances, and removing a shopping cart from the store’s property. He is being held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

The nearly $750 worth of merchandise in Patterson’s duffel bag was recovered and returned to the store.

According to online court records, Patterson is scheduled to again appear in Stafford General District Court on February 28, 2024.