Warren County, VA - On May 1, 2017 the Warren County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 4300 block of Browntown Road for a male subject attempting to break into a residence. Patrol units were in the process of establishing a perimeter to search for the subject when a second report was received of a breaking and entering in progress in the 200 block of Hidden View Lane. The caller on Hidden View Lane gave a description that matched the individual that the patrol units were activity searching for. The male was located at the residence on Hidden View Lane by the responding patrol units. Warren County Sheriff’s Office Investigators, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office Tracking Team, and Fire Marshall Gerry Maiatico arrived on location and conducted an investigation. During the investigation a third report was received involving the same male that had been seen crossing another property in 4300 block of Browntown Road and entering an outside shed.

The male was identified as a 15 years old Warren County resident. The juvenile was charged with breaking and entering, two counts of attempted breaking and entering, unlawful entry, destruction of property, possession of burglary tools and one count of arson. The charges range from offenses that occurred from April 17, 2017 to May 1, 2017.

The juvenile is currently housed at the Northwest Regional Juvenile Detention Center pending court proceedings.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Investigator Jason Bates at 540-635-7100 or 540-635-4128.

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May 2, 2017

Sheriff Daniel T. McEathron

Warren County, VA - On April 30, 2017 at approximately 7:47 pm, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office responded to 158 Mitchell Drive for a vehicle accident. Once deputies arrived on scene, a silver vehicle was found to have struck a tree. Deputies made contact with a female sitting on the ground that was identified as Julmecka Minor age 30, of Strasburg and another female sitting inside the vehicle that was identified as Ashley Thompson. It was found that Julmecka had suffered a stab wound to her left hand and one to her chest area. Julmecka stated to the deputies that her mother, who was identified as Julia Minor, age 62, of Strasburg had stabbed her and the vehicle accident occurred as a result of her trying to leave the scene to get help for the stab wounds.

Deputies then made contact with Julia Minor inside a residence at 158 Mitchell Drive. Deputies interviewed witnesses and upon completion of the investigation, Julia Minor was arrested without incident and charged with Aggravated Malicious Wounding. She was taken to the Magistrate’s Office and is being held without bond at the Rappahannock Shenandoah Warren Regional Jail. Her court date is set for May 15, 2017 at 9:00 am in Juvenile Domestic Court.

Thompson and Julmecka were transported to Warren Memorial Hospital for injuries due to the accident and injuries sustained during the stabbing. The injuries were non-life threating.

Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is asked to contact Warren County Deputy Devin Micelli at 540-635-4128.

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May 1, 2017

Sheriff Daniel T. McEathron

Warren County, VA - During the time frame of April 4, 2017 through April 27, 2017 the Warren County Sheriff’s Office received multiple reports of vandalisms in the 4500 block of Browntown Road and Poor House Road. There have also been complaints regarding a suspicious fire and a suspicious person.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office along with Warren County Fire and Rescue are continuing their investigation on these cases and anyone with information should contact Lieutenant Gordon Foster at 635-4128 or 635-7100. For information regarding the fire you may contact Fire Marshall Gerry Maiatico at 636-3830.

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April 28, 2017

Sheriff Daniel T. McEathron

Warren County, VA - On April 21, 2017 at approximately 12:14 a.m. Warren County deputies attempted to pull over a green Saturn for speeding. The vehicle was traveling north in the area of Rocky Glenn Road and 522 North Winchester Road. When the driver did not stop, deputies followed the vehicle with emergency equipment activated. The vehicle continued driving north bound on 522 North then turned west onto Macedonia Church Road in Frederick County. The vehicle then turned onto White Oak Road and pulled into a driveway. Deputies from Warren County Sheriff’s Office and Frederick County Sheriff’s Office placed the male driver under arrest. The male was identified as David Dill, 39, of Stephens City. There was also a passenger inside the vehicle that was identified as Jennifer Miller, 39, of Winchester. Dill was transported to North Western Regional Jail and taken in front of the magistrate and charged with Felony Eluding a Police Officer, Felony Driving Revoked and DUI. He was also served a capias for Probation Violation out of Frederick County. Miller was also taken into custody for Possession with the Intent to Distribute Heroin and charged by Frederick County Sheriff’s Office. Dill was held without bond on all charges. His court date is scheduled for May 10, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. There were no injuries or property damage from this incident.

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April 21, 2017

Sheriff Daniel T. McEathron

Warren County, VA - On April 2, 2017, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and Warren County Fire and Rescue were dispatched to the area of Remount Road (522 South) and the entrance to the Appalachian Trail where a hiker had found what appeared to be human remains. Patrol units and investigators responded to a wooded area located just off the Appalachian Trail where a deceased male was found. The Sheriff’s Office investigated the scene in conjunction with National Zoological Park Police, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Virginia State Police, National Park Police and Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The property where the body was found is owned by Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.

The remains were transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Manassas, Virginia for identification and cause of death. The remains were identified as John Patrick Donohoe of Bethesda, Maryland. Donohoe had been reported missing with the Montgomery County Police Department since December 13, 2016. The cause of death is still under investigation by the Medical Examiner’s Office. Anyone with information asked to call the Investigator Brad Pugh, Warren County Sheriff’s Office at 540-635-4128.

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April 5, 2017

Sheriff Daniel T. McEathron

Warren County, VA - On April 6, 2017 at approximately 4:30 pm, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office received a call of an accident involving a pickup truck rear ending a Warren County school bus at the intersection of Dungadin and Stonewall Jackson Highway. Deputies arrived on scene and spoke with the bus driver who advised that she had eight passengers on board ranging in the ages from 7 to 14 years old. The driver of the bus advised that all students were fine and no one was hurt.

Deputies then identified the driver of the pickup truck as a male juvenile from Front Royal, VA. The male driver advised that he was texting and ran into the back of the school bus. The school bus was stopped to unload students at the entrance to Dungadin with the red lights and stop sign activated at the time of the accident. Deputies assisted the students with getting off the bus and turned them over to their parents.

The male juvenile driver was issued a summons for reckless driving (general) and texting while driving.

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April 7, 2017

Sheriff Daniel T. McEathron

Warren Co. Sheriff's Office
(01/01/2016 - 12/31/2016)

Download the 2016 Activity Summary by Category

Warren County, VA - On March 13, 2017 Deputy Young of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office responded to 6986 Winchester Road at approximately 2:44 pm for the report of a breaking and entering into a residence. It was determined that over $1,000 worth of property had been taken from the residence.

During the course of the investigation it was determined that Bernard Lee Ballard, 50, and Phoebe Sue Kidwell, 43, both of 149-3 Stephenson Road, Stephenson Virginia, were suspects. Warrants for violation of § 18.2-91 Entering dwelling house, etc., with intent to commit larceny, assault and battery or other felony and § 18.2-95 Grand larceny were subsequently obtained for both subjects.

On 3-14-17 the Front Royal Police Department located a vehicle matching the description that Ballard and Kidwell were known to be in. Warren County Sergeant Brogan along with Front Royal Police conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle at which time Ballard and Kidwell were taken into custody without incident.

After the arrests of Ballard and Kidwell, a search warrant was obtained by Warren County Investigator Pugh for 149-3 Stephenson Road, Stephenson, Virginia in an attempt to recover property stolen from 6986 Winchester Road. The search warrant was executed with the assistance of Frederick County Sheriff’s Office. During the execution of this search warrant a utility trailer was located on the property that had subsequently been reported stolen with the Front Royal Police Department on March 8, 2017. The trailer recovery was handled by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.

Ballard is being held on a $2500 bond and Kidwell is being held on a $1500 bond. Both are being held at the RSW Regional Jail.

Anyone with further information about this incident is asked to contact Investigator Pugh at 540-635-7100 or 540-635-4128.

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March 15, 2017

Sheriff Daniel T. McEathron

Warren Co. Sheriff's Office
(01/01/2016 - 12/31/2016)

Download the 2016 Activity Detail Summary

Warren County, VA - On Tuesday, March 7, 2017 Warren County Sheriff Office school resource deputies met with administrators from Skyline High School in regards to allegations of a teacher having inappropriate relations with two students. Both students were interviewed by Warren County Sheriff’s Office and Front Royal Police Department investigators.

The teacher, Steven Bretsch, was charged with four class 6 felonies for taking indecent liberties with a child by person in a custodial relationship. Warren County investigators in coordination with Prince William County Police executed a search warrant of Mr. Bretsch’ s residence and arrested him without incident.

Bretsch was initially held at the Prince William County Adult Detention Center. He was transferred to the Rappahannock Shenandoah Warren Regional Jail and is currently held without bond.

Anyone with further information regarding this case can contact Investigator Sergeant Henry at (540) 635-7100 or (540) 635-4128.

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March 8, 2017

Sheriff Daniel T. McEathron