First Responders Honored For Finding Abducted Special Needs Child: More Details

MANASSAS, VA — Four Manassas police officers and a public safety communications supervisor are receiving a Medal of Merit for their roles in finding an abducted special needs child and stolen vehicle from Manassas.

The abduction happened on March 26 at the Exxon gas station at 9901 Wellington Road, according to Manassas Police. The victim said his brother-in-law got in the passenger seat of his vehicle before driving off. The vehicle had the victim's 6-year-old autistic son inside.

Police were in the process of seeking an Amber Alert with Virginia State Police and notified other localities of the abduction in a gray Chevrolet Impala. However, Manassas Police and other law enforcement found the vehicle minutes later at an intersection in Manassas Park and conducted a traffic stop.

Manassas Police are awarding the Medal of Merit to Sgt. Crouse, Officer Hogue, Officer Stadtman and Public Safety Communications Supervisor Bergeron. K9 Bane also assisted with the response.

"These individuals exhibited extraordinary courage, coordination, and professionalism under extreme pressure," read a report from Manassas Police Chief Doug Keen and other leaders. "Their actions led directly to the safe recovery of a vulnerable child, the apprehension of a dangerous offender, and the resolution of a volatile situation without injury to officers, civilians, or the suspect."

According to police, law enforcement from Manassas, Manassas Park and Prince William County had responded to the "rapidly evolving and high-risk incident" involving a convicted felon. Crouse used knowledge of Chevrolet vehicles being equipped with OnStar technology to contact OnStar, allowing real-time tracking of the vehicle.

"This rapid response capability, enabled by OnStar's GPS and cellular technology, proved critical in locating the suspect and recovering the abducted child," read the police leaders' report. "Sergeant Crouse's quick thinking, composure, and decisive action transformed what could have been a tragic outcome into a life-saving intervention."

Hogue and K9 Bane were the first to locate the vehicle on Andrew Drive in Manassas Park and conducted a traffic stop. Police say the suspect did not comply with commands and concealed his hands. Stadtman is credited with using a Taser, allowing others to arrest the suspect and recover a knife. Police also found a gun in the vehicle.

"SPO Stadtman, displaying exceptional tactical restraint, transitioned from his firearm to a Taser and achieved neuromuscular incapacitation with a second cartridge," the police leaders said in their report.

The child was not in the vehicle, but questioning of the suspect led police to another location. Officers found the child at a nearby home. The child was reunited with his family without injuries.

The suspect, Devon Lamont Pinckney, 38, of Manassas Park, was charged with abduction, grand larceny of a vehicle and possession of a firearm by a felon. He was held without bond at the Prince William County Adult Detention Center.

Other officers provided support with the response and investigation. According to police, public safety personnel assisted with radio traffic for multiple localities, coordinated phone-based location tracking, started Amber Alert protocols and relayed information to field units.