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Police and court briefs
Army officer clearedJohn Hilliard Masterson, a lieutenant colonel with 25 years of service in the U.S. Army, was acquitted last week of two separate felony counts of assault and batter on a law enforcement officer.
At the conclusion of his trial in Fauquier County Circuit Court Dec. 4, a jury found there was not enough evidence to prove Masterson intended to hurt Virginia State Trooper Christopher Ihara or Virginia State Trooper Christopher Burkes.
The panel found Masterson guilty of a misdemeanor count of reckless driving and sentenced him to pay a $2,500 fine. Masterson must also pay $950 in court costs. He has 90 days in which to comply.
Warrenton attorneys Mark Williams and Scott Hook represented Masterson. Williams said he was “satisfied” with the outcome.
The charges against Masterson stemmed from an incident which occurred as he and his wife were leaving the Virginia Gold Cup races at the Great Meadow Field Events Center May 3.
Burglary reported
A residential burglary that occurred in Midland Dec. 1 reportedly remains under investigation.
According to a police report, someone from the 4700 block of Catlett Road reported the burglary and theft of a power washer, battery charger, three chainsaws, weed eaters and leaf blowers from the residence. The estimated loss in the case is $1,750.
Arrest made in daytime burglary
A Fredericksburg man was arrested in connection with a daytime burglary Dec. 2, police said.
Maj. Paul Mercer of the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office said deputies from his agency responded to a report of a burglary in progress at a private home in the 8700 block of Springs Road early that morning.
“An intruder entered the residence and fled [from] the residence in a white van when confronted by the homeowner,” Mercer said.
Fauquier county detectives went to the scene and quickly developed a suspect in the case. The victim was able to make a positive identification, Mercer said. Investigators located the suspect a short time later operating the white van in Culpeper County, Mercer added.
Terrence Michael Parkinson, 33, was arrested and charged with breaking and entering and possession of burglary tools, according to the major.
Parkinson was held without bond by the magistrate.
Destruction of property reported
The Fauquier County Sheriff's Office received three reports of destruction of property Dec. 2-4.
The details included in police reports are as follows:
— Dec. 2, someone from the 9200 block of Tournament Drive in Warrenton reported damage to a golf cart and golf course. The estimated loss is $2,000 and an investigation is ongoing.
— Dec. 3, a caller from the 6400 block of Emily Anne Court in Warrenton reported damage to a house. The estimated loss is $1,000 and an investigation is ongoing.
— Dec. 4, a complainant from the 8200 block of Jeffersonton Road near Warrenton reported damage to a VDOT bridge. The estimated loss is $50,000.
Larcenies reported
The Fauquier County Sheriff's Office received two reports of larcenies Dec. 3 and Dec. 7.
The details included in police reports are as follows:
— Dec. 3, someone from the 4500 block of Lee Highway reported the theft of a concrete saw. The estimated loss is $900.
— Dec. 7, a complainant from the 6700 block of Woodley Heights Drive near Warrenton reported the theft of $74,846 in currency. An investigation is ongoing.
'Operation Grinch' in effect
The Warrenton Police Department has implemented a Holiday Enforcement Initiative targeting crimes of opportunity at the area shopping centers.
The special enforcement, which began on Thanksgiving, and continues through Christmas will combine high visibility patrol with plain clothes officers inside stores. Police said they are hopeful the extra enforcement will serve as deterrent to those contemplating committing a crime. Response time will be immediate should anything occur, they said.
State troopers issue 216 summonses on I-66
Virginia State Troopers assigned to the Area `12 Office in Warrenton issued 216 summonses on Interstate 66 in Fauquier County Friday and Saturday.
1st Sgt. Matt Hanley said the detail was part of an “Air, Land and Speed” enforcement project on the highway. The troopers issued 87 summonses for speeding, 21 for reckless driving, 32 for other hazardous violations, 37 for equipment violations and 23 for general violations. They wrote eight summonses for seat belt violations, and three for child restraint violations.
Troopers working the stretch of I-66 within Fauquier County also made one drug arrest and three misdemeanor arrests, Hanley said.
Three juveniles hurt in crash
Three juveniles were reportedly hurt in a three-car crash in the area of Comfort Inn Drive and Lee Highway [U.S. 29] Dec. 1.
According to a Fauquier County deputy's report, the crash happened at approximately 3:58 p.m.
Wendy Delpercio Baker, 43, of Bealeton and Dennis Pal Morgan, 60, of Remington were stopped in a turn lane for a traffic signal, according to the report. Patricia Tiffany Merkley, 53, of Warrenton, who was driving a 2004 Saturn, allegedly hit Morgan's car from behind, causing a chain reaction.
Three passengers in Baker's car were reportedly injured. None of the drivers had any visible signs of injuries and no one was transported to the hospital by EMS.
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