What started as a high-speed run on Interstate 95 ended with two Washington, D.C., men in cuffs on Thursday, after a midday pursuit barreled into Stafford County and wrapped up with a pair of crashes. Deputies say a stolen vehicle died on the shoulder, one suspect bolted on foot, another wrecked off Route 1, and both were ultimately taken into custody and booked into the regional jail.
The chase kicked off around 1:45 p.m., when deputies were alerted to a stolen vehicle flying along I-95. According to Daily Voice, investigators say one man had previously pulled into First Auto Gallery on Derrick Lane, then drove off in a vehicle while a second car followed; dealership video later showed someone swapping the vehicle’s key fob several days earlier.
Where The Car Came From
The dealership named in the sheriff’s account is registered as 1ST AUTO GALLERY LLC at 24 Derrick Lane in Stafford, according to the Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board. That state listing matches the business name and address cited by investigators.
Chase, Crash And Arrests
Deputies pursued along the right shoulder of I-95 until, investigators say, the stolen vehicle hit a jersey wall near Route 17. Its driver ran but was quickly caught. The second vehicle allegedly clipped the front-right side of a deputy’s cruiser, then later crashed on the left shoulder of Route 1; both people inside were detained.
The sheriff’s office identified the men as Javada Horn, 33, and Michael Hawkins, 30, and reported that both were booked into the Rappahannock Regional Jail, according to Daily Voice.
Charges And Penalties
Based on the sheriff’s account shared with local media, Horn faces charges that include grand larceny of a vehicle, conspiring to commit grand larceny of a vehicle, fleeing from law enforcement, destruction of property, driving without a license and eluding. Hawkins is charged with grand larceny, conspiring to commit grand larceny, assault of a police officer and eluding.
Under Virginia law, grand larceny can be prosecuted as a felony and may carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison; see Code of Virginia § 18.2-95.
How This Fits With State Trends
Cases like this sit inside a broader statewide picture of car crime and pursuit policies. Virginia State Police recently reported that motor vehicle thefts and attempted thefts dropped 15.4% in 2024 compared with 2023, according to WSLS. Even with that decline, local flare-ups and risky chases still surface as individual cases move into the court system.
Where To Watch For Updates
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office supplied the initial account and photo to local outlets, and the Rappahannock Regional Jail houses detainees from Stafford and nearby localities. Court dates and charging documents are expected to appear in court records and in future releases from the sheriff’s office as the case advances.
