Burglary Suspect Arrested

Update: Jan. 10, 2011 - Fredericksburg Police have arrested Jonathan Shepherd in connection with the investigations detailed below.

Fredericksburg police have identified a suspect in six burglaries and unlawful entries reported over the last week. Officers were close to catching the suspect over the weekend, but he was able to get away.

Police are now searching for 22-year-old Jonathan Shepherd. He is a white male, standing 5'6'' tall, weighing 145 pounds with tattoos on both upper arms. Shepherd was last seen wearing black shorts with a white stripe and burgundy tank top. He was also barefoot when police saw him.

Around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, January 8, a city detective in the 1400 block of Franklin Street noticed a man, Shepherd, matching the description of a suspect from a previously reported burglary on Stafford Avenue.

The detective watched Shepherd inside of an unoccupied Franklin Street home which had been burglarized earlier in the day. The detective called for backup, but the suspect fled through the back door of the house. The detective gave chase, but was unable to keep up with the suspect. Officers with the Virginia State Police, the University of Mary Washington Police, the Spotsylvania County Police and a K-9 dog were also unable to locate Shepherd.

Despite eluding police, Shepherd left behind evidence which police used to identify him. Shepherd, of no fixed address, has been charged with two counts of breaking and entering with the intent to commit a felony. Police are also investigating the possibility that Shepherd committed other burglaries in Fredericksburg.

Police are focusing their efforts on six burglaries and unlawful entries committed since the start of the new year.