Two routine traffic stops in Fredericksburg turned into foot chases just hours apart on Aug. 30, with police recovering three firearms and illegal drugs and making two arrests.
The first incident began around noon in the 400 block of Bridgewater Street, where Officer Ruggiere stopped a brown Mercury for a traffic violation.
According to police, while Ruggiere was checking the driver’s information, a juvenile passenger grabbed a black bag from inside the vehicle and ran.
Ruggiere chased the teen to Fall Hill Avenue, where he caught up with him and took him into custody without further incident.
Police identified the passenger as a 17-year-old Fredericksburg boy. A search of the bag he was carrying turned up a firearm, according to police.
The juvenile was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a person under 18 and obstruction. He was taken to the Rappahannock Juvenile Justice Center.
The driver of the Mercury was released without charges.
About four hours later, Ruggiere was involved in a remarkably similar encounter.
At approximately 4 p.m., he stopped a white Ford for a traffic violation in the 400 block of Wallace Street. Police said the passenger got out and ran while Ruggiere was checking the driver’s information.
The chase continued across Emancipation Highway before the suspect entered a nearby convenience store and tried to hide inside, according to police.
Ruggiere found him in a back storage room and took him into custody without incident.
Police identified the man as Tavares Lucas, 23, of Spotsylvania. Authorities said a search of Lucas turned up two firearms, several illegal narcotics and a large amount of cash.
Lucas was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a firearm while in possession of a Schedule I or II substance, two counts of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a Schedule IV substance and obstruction.
He was taken to the Rappahannock Regional Jail and held without bond.
As in the earlier traffic stop, the driver was released without charges.
The charges are allegations. Lucas and the juvenile are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.