A man wanted in multiple states is in custody after an investigation into a theft at a Stafford County motel.

On October 5 at 6:29 a.m., Deputy B.W. Gildea took a report for a theft that occurred at the Sleep Inn (595 Warrenton Road). The victim reported the license plates were stolen off of her vehicle while it was parked at the motel.

Deputy Gildea was later conducting a business check at the Super 8 (557 Warrenton Road) when he observed a vehicle, that he remembered to previously have displayed Virginia license plates, parked with the hood up. The vehicle was now displaying Washington state license plates that matched those stolen off of the victim’s vehicle.

Deputy Gildea spoke with the male who was working on the vehicle and inquired about the registration on the vehicle. During the interaction, the suspect provided Deputy Gildea with his identification information. He ran the suspect’s information which did not return through law enforcement databases. Suspecting he provided him a false identity, Deputy Gildea detained the suspect. After further investigation, deputies obtained information leading them to identify the suspect as Tracy Neves, 49, of Portsmouth. Neves was found to be wanted in numerous jurisdictions.

Neves was arrested and a controlled substance was found during a search of his vehicle. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of stolen goods, providing false identification to law enforcement, identity theft to avoid arrest, and fugitive of justice. Virginia State Police confirmed they had nine active warrants for his arrest. Several active warrants for Neves’ arrest were also found in Tennessee, Maine, and two jurisdictions in New Hampshire.

Neves is being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail and awaits extradition.