Crime & Safety

Police: Suspect in Theft of Power Washer Hits Officer in the Face

Prince William County Police said the suspect assaulted a Woodbridge homeowner in February after he was caught stealing a power washer.

A man who struck an officer in the face after they arrested him for disorderly conduct was also linked to the February theft of a power washer in Dale City, Prince William County Police said. 

Jeins Beiker Mejia-Morales, 21, of Delaney Road, is charged with assault and battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and obstruction of justice. Officers also served warrants for burglary, attempted grand larceny, assault and battery and destruction of property in relation to the February incident. 

Officers responded to the 13600 block of Lindendale Road on Saturday at 10:45 p.m., where they found Mejia-Morales, "who appeared to be intoxicated," said police spokesman Officer Jonathan Perok. 

"During the encounter, the accused fled from officers after being told he was under arrest. Officers caught up to the man which led to a struggle," Perok said. "At that point, the accused pull away and struck the officer to his face."

Perok said that Mejia-Morales also initially gave officers a fake name, but he was identified after police fingerprinted him. Officers then linked him to the February 1 theft of a power washer from a garage on Kaywood Drive. The homeowner had found Mejia-Morales leaving the garage, Perok said, and after a confrontation Mejia-Morales assaulted him. 

Mejia-Morales had been wanted by Prince William County Police since the incident in February. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.