A Stafford man found himself behind bars on Thursday night after a dramatic search that involved drones, a SWAT team, and a foot chase through the woods.
It all started around 8:08 p.m. when deputies were called to a home on Taylors Hill Way in southern Stafford. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the trouble began when a 29-year-old man, reportedly intoxicated, fired several shots inside his own home. What exactly led to the gunfire remains unclear.
When deputies arrived, they weren’t sure if the man was still inside. To be cautious, they sent a drone into the house to look for him, but he was nowhere to be found. That’s when the real search kicked off. With the help of a SWAT team and more drones, authorities scoured the area.
Then came the breakthrough. Deputy C.M. Sterne spotted the suspect walking along Truslow Road and ordered him to stop. But instead of complying, the man took off running into the nearby woods.
That’s when technology stepped in again. Drone operators quickly tracked the suspect, and before long, deputies had him in custody. The man, identified as Franco J. Charles, was arrested and charged with shooting into an occupied dwelling and reckless handling of a firearm.
He was taken to the Rappahannock Regional Jail, where he is now facing serious charges. Thankfully, no one was reported injured during the incident.
