W&M Police aid county in apprehending suspect
WM officers assist county (l to r) Officer James Baez-An, Sgt. Israel Palencia, Lt. John Coleman, Investigator Benny Back and Erica Morris of the William and Mary Police were among the officers that responded Sept. 11 to a James City County Police call for "mutual aid" in the apprehension of a carjacking suspect.
William and Mary Police officers responded to a “mutual aid” call Sept. 11 by James City County Police in pursuit of a carjacking suspect who had already fired upon police. The WMPD officers were among dozens of state and local officers who responded to the scene in upper James City County. Police captured and arrested the suspect. Charges are pending. No civilians or officers were injured by the gun fire.
“We were happy we could help,” William and Mary Police Chief Don Challis said. “When a call like this comes in you want to help out anyway you can, especially when there is gun fire. Law enforcement is a brotherhood - we were there for them like we know they would be there for us.”
Mutual aid calls are common among law enforcement agencies when situations warrant additional officers or resources, Challis said. William and Mary officers were called upon Thursday to secure the perimeter of the James City County scene and prevent the suspect from entering Williamsburg city limits. In addition to William and Mary Police, officers from Virginia State Police, Williamsburg and York County responded to the call.
“This is why we train,” added Challis, “so that we are ready in situations like Thursday. Best of all, the suspect was caught and everybody was safe.”
