FAIRFAX COUNTY, Virginia — – An attempted homicide suspect is behind bars today, thanks in part to the highly disputed License Plate Reader program. 29-year-old Robert David Sheets, of Quarryville, Pennsylvania, was wanted in connection with an attempted homicide on August 14, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Early Sunday morning Sheets was driving west on Interstate 66, in a 2007 Ford Edge, when he passed a plate reader. The reader notified area officers that Sheets had ties to the vehicle, and he was wanted in connection with two counts of attempted homicide.
Officers from our Fair Oaks and Sully stations were able to get behind the vehicle near the Fairfax County Parkway and Interstate 66. A short time later the officers tried to stop the SUV, but Sheets failed to pull over, and accelerated to over 100 miles per hour. The pursuit lasted about 38 miles, and traveled through Prince William County and into Fauquier County where Sheets got off the highway.
A Fairfax County Officer was able to successfully use the Precision Immobilization Technique (P.I.T.) and stop the vehicle in the area of Route 17 and Route 50. Sheets was challenged at gunpoint by the officers, and surrendered. He was taken into custody and moved to the Fauquier County Adult Detention Center where he was held as a fugitive from justice.
Warrants have been filed for Sheets in Fairfax County for felony speed to elude, reckless driving, and possession and transport of firearms while under a protective order.
