Yellow law enforcement tape isolating crime scene. Blurred view of city, toned in red and blue police car lights
Yellow law enforcement tape isolating crime scene. Blurred view of city, toned in red and blue police car lights

Fugitive Arrested After Fleeing Into Woods Following Assault

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1 min read
July 24, 2024

Stafford County, VA – A 55-year-old man attempted to evade capture by fleeing into the woods after committing an assault and was later apprehended by deputies on Sunday morning.

On July 21, at approximately 8:57 a.m., Deputy C.D. Sullivan responded to Fleet Road for an assault report. The victim stated she was assaulted by Charles Atkins III of Ruther Glen following a disagreement over a cell phone. Atkins fled the scene before deputies arrived.

Atkins was found to be wanted in Caroline County for four felony offenses and four capiases. Deputies began canvassing the area in an attempt to locate him. Deputy J.E. Cordes spotted Atkins near Lichfield Boulevard, but Atkins fled on foot before contact could be made. Despite commands to stop, Atkins continued running, and visual contact was lost near Merlin Way.

Deputies continued proactive patrols in the area. At approximately 1:36 p.m., First Sergeant J.J. Kreider located and apprehended Atkins. He was found hiding in the woods and in possession of suspected controlled substances.

Atkins has been charged with assault and battery, obstruction of justice, possession of controlled substances, and served with his eight outstanding warrants. He is being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

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