Today’s lesson of the day, not only should you not commit crimes, you shouldn’t do it in front of a deputy. It appears one Fredericksburg man missed that lesson early Saturday morning.

On January 20th at approximately 1:45 a.m. Sergeant J.D. Hurt and Deputy A.J. Charoenthep were backing up Deputy S.A. Hensley on a traffic stop at Shell, located at 535 Warrenton Road. While there, Deputy Charoenthep observed a male walking away from Wawa, located at 9 South Gateway Drive towards Simpson Road. On his late-night stroll, the suspect threw something on the ground, later discovered to be a ripped-up condom. Considering the traffic stop was under control, Sergeant Hurt and Deputy Charoenthep made contact with the suspect.

While conversing with the suspect about his littering habits, deputies observed signs of intoxication. The suspect advised he was “good” and was willing to prove it by incorrectly performing a field sobriety test of his own accord. During their interaction, the suspect would remove the wrapping of gum he had in his possession and drop it on the ground mere feet from deputies. Sergeant Hurt requested the suspect to stop littering, and instead the suspect would proceed to throw a gum wrapper on the ground. He was then detained.

During a search of the suspect’s person, deputies located numerous products related to an evening out, yet no form of payment for the items. While the suspect attempted to lie and say he used Apple Pay for the products, they discovered he had an Android phone, that was also out of battery. After a short trip across the street to Wawa, Deputy Charoenthep was able to confirm with staff the items were stolen.

The suspect was charged with public intoxication, shoplifting, and three counts of littering. The stolen snacks and protection were returned to Wawa as the suspect was transported to Rappahannock Regional Jail where he was held on a $5,000 secured bond.