NEW KENT Co., Va. - Virginia State Police say an individual armed with a knife surrendered to troopers in New Kent County following a vehicle pursuit on Monday, September 7.
State police became involved when they received a request for assistance from Norfolk police for a male subject who had abducted a 4-year-old boy. State police were able to locate the Toyota as it was traveling east on I-64 near the 200 mile marker. When a trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle around 2:24 p.m., the driver refused to stop and a pursuit was initiated.
The suspect vehicle was traveling in excess of 100 mph when the driver lost control and the vehicle crashed near Exit 205 in New Kent County, reports say. The state troopers say the suspect exited his vehicle armed with a knife. The suspect, while carrying the child, then fled into the woods. Troopers pursued the suspect into the woods, where they say they encountered him and the child.
The troopers were able to verbally deescalate the situation and convince the male suspect to put down the knife. State police say that they then took the man into custody and securely took the child without further incident.
The suspect and child were transported to VCU Medical Center for evaluation due to the severity of the traffic crash and the child has since been returned to his mother, reports confirm.
The suspect has been identified as 32-year-old Bryan Valdez. He has been charged with one felony count of child endangerment, one felony count of abduction by force, one felony count of eluding police and reckless driving.
He was also wanted on charges in the City of Norfolk.
Valdez continues to be held at the Henrico County Jail.
