Crime & Safety

Royal British Navyman Charged With Smashing 40-Year-Old Church Windows

Police say the man broke through the front door of Fredericksburg Baptist Church. He is also accused of spitting on an officer.

A 22-year-old second lieutenant in the Royal British Navy who is stationed in Quantico was charged with burglary, destruction of property and assault on a law enforcement officer after he was allegedly caught smashing stained-glass windows inside on Saturday morning.

Natatia Bledsoe, Fredericksburg Police spokeswoman, said police were searching for a suspect in a separate burglary at about 12:35 a.m. when they heard glass breaking inside the church at 1019 Princess Anne St.

"Officers set up a secure perimeter around the building and while doing so, they heard crashing sounds coming from inside. A short time later the suspect exited through the front door and immediately surrendered to police," Bledsoe said. "While he was being taken into custody, the suspect spit on one of the officers and continued to spit after he was placed in a patrol vehicle."

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Two stained glass windows were damaged as well as a door that had been removed from its hinges. The suspect apparently gained entry to the building by forcing the lock on the front door, which was also damaged.

Dennis Sacrey, the church's administrator, said the windows were gifted in 1972.

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Edmund Whitehead remains at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on the three charges.

The other incident was at 12:20 a.m. Saturday at City Lights Hair Salon at 1004 Charles St. Bledsoe said an employee of a downtown business said he witnessed a male subject kicking in the rear door of the hair salon. Police checked the business but did not find anyone inside or anything stolen. The suspect was described as a white male with short hair, approximately 6 feet tall, and wearing a white polo shirt with horizontal stripes and blue denim shorts.

Police searched the area but were unable to find anyone matching the suspect description. There also was damage to a rear door at Olde Town Butcher at 405 William St. That damage also appeared to be from an attempt to kick the door open. The investigation is ongoing. Whitehead is not a suspect in this incident, Bledsoe said.

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