A Dumfries man chose the worst possible location for his reckless driving display and instead of attending a magnificent National Night Out, ended up in the custody of the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

On October 1st at approximately 3:47 p.m. deputies with the Traffic Safety Unit were conducting traffic control as National Night Out was about to begin in Stafford Market Place. While doing so, a motorcyclist with no license plate or helmet was driving recklessly in the parking lot, nearly striking several pedestrians. Deputies attempted to catch up to the motorcycle as it passed storefronts towards Staffordboro Boulevard.

At the intersection of Stafford Market Place and Staffordboro Boulevard, Deputies J.A. Alford and S.C. Martin attempted to box in the motorcycle and make contact with the driver. The driver tried to find an escape route, but was unable to do so. He then made the choice to assault one of the deputies before fleeing on foot. And we mean literally “on foot“ since the suspect ran out of his Crocs in his ill-fated flight attempt.

The bad choices continued to compound as the suspect ran back into Stafford Market Place toward the large contingent of law enforcement professionals. Deputies pursued the suspect to the area of Little Caesars, located at 1465 Stafford Market Place. There, the suspect would change directions and run towards a deputy. The deputy deployed his issued taser, which had the desired effect and the suspect was quickly taken into custody. The deputy who was assaulted was not injured and the suspect was checked by Fire and Rescue staff.

The suspect, Robert Ouzts, 22, was discovered to be wanted out of Prince William County. Ouzts was charged with assault and battery on law enforcement, obstruction of justice by force, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license, operating a motorcycle without a motorcycle endorsement, operating a motorcycle without a helmet, as well as, driving without insurance, a registration, and inspection. He was also served on his outstanding warrants and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. A booking photo is not yet available.

While the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office had several live demonstrations prepared for National Night Out , this incident was not on the program. Excellent work by the deputies to get this wanted reckless driver off the streets of Stafford County.