On March 12, a Caroline County police officer, deputy Watkins, went to Sheetz in Ladysmith to inform employees that another Sheetz in King George had been robbed. According to Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, only 5 minutes after Watkins left the store, the suspect came in.
According to CCSO, he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a mask. He approached the clerk with a gun, demanded money, and after the clerk complied, he ran toward Rt. 1.
CCSO said its investigators concluded that he got into a white SUV along Center Drive. The Flock camera system provided a breakthrough in the case by reportedly placed the same vehicle near the robbery in King George.
As authorities in King George and Caroline were exchanging information, CCSO said officers were made aware of similar robberies in Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Prince William.
A joint effort was launched between the five counties, and Deontae Terrell McManus, 22, of Woodbridge, was caught in Spotsylvania at around 2:45 a.m. the following day, March 13.
For the Caroline incident, his charges include armed robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted violent felon, and wearing a mask while committing a crime for the purpose of concealing identity.
McManus is being held in Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
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