Pepper Spray, Taser Needed To Take Shoplifting Suspect Into Custody

FREDERICKSBURG, VA – Officers had to use pepper spray and a taser to take a shoplifting suspect into custody Friday at a Fredericksburg fast food restaurant, according to the Spotsylvania Sheriff’ Office.

A sheriff’s deputy responded to the Wawa at 3402 Shannon Park Drive for the report of shoplifting. After taking items from the store, a man ran off and boarded a FRED bus, according to authorities.

Following the bus, the deputy spotted the suspect exit and run into a nearby Hardee’s. Upon entering the restaurant, the deputy tried to handcuff the man, but he resisted, according to the sheriff’s office.

Eventually, after using pepper spray and a taser, the deputy was able to arrest the suspect with the help of additional officers, including some from the Fredericksburg Police Department, according to the sheriff’s office.

Stephon A. Woodward, 59, of Spotsylvania was taken to the hospital for treatment due to the pepper spray and taser, according to authorities.

Deputies determined that Woodward had taken a hot dog, bag of chips and a Mountain Dew from the Wawa. The cost of these items amounted to $7.07. Woodward had less than $20 in his possession when he was arrested, according to the sheriff’s office.

Woodward was charged with shoplifting, obstruction of justice, and providing false ID to law enforcement, according to the sheriff’s office.

Woodward was also wanted for felony probation violations for failing to appear in the Fredericksburg Circuit Court on Sept. 12, 2022, according to court records.

On Tuesday, Woodward is scheduled to appear in the Fredericksburg Circuit Court for a hearing on the probation violations, according to court records. He will also be appearing in Fredericksburg General District Court on the charges stemming from his arrest on Friday.