Four-year prison term imposed on Virginia Beach teen after leading high-speed chase in New Kent

A four-year prison term was imposed on a Virginia Beach teen who fled from New Kent and other law enforcement agencies during a high-speed chase last fall.
Morris Von Westlove II, 18, received formal sentencing during June 12 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. His active four-year term will be served in the Youthful Offender Program at the prison.

During an Apr. 15 trial, Westlove entered guilty pleas to two counts of felony destruction of property, one count of felony eluding, one count of obtaining a credit card without permission, and one count of assault and battery on a law enforcement officer. At that trial, Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory provided a summary of evidence that showed the events that occurred last Nov. 3 where a New Kent deputy was monitoring traffic at mile marker 212 along Interstate 64 eastbound.

Westlove, operating a mid-size SUV, went through the radar at 94 miles per hour. An attempt to pull over the defendant was unsuccessful, as speeds increased to 105 miles per hour as other deputies joined the pursuit. Westlove exited at the West Point interchange (exit 220) and traveled eastbound on Route 33. Despite spike strips being deployed to slow down the vehicle, Westlove continued, eventually making a U-turn and traveling on Route 33 westbound.

The defendant made a right turn onto Route 249 (New Kent Highway) westbound. Despite speeds decreasing significantly, the pursuit continued as video evidence showed the defendant driving on Pamunkey Church Road, crossing through backyards, driving down dirt paths and eventually back to Route 249 and heading eastbound. Westlove drove into the Dominion Power substation near Henrico Jail East, plowing through the gates and forcing deputies to halt the chase for safety concerns. After crashing through electrical consoles and equipment, the vehicle headed towards the gate where officers had weapons drawn. The defendant refused to slow down, forcing one officer to leap out the way and damaging police vehicles.

The chase continued eastbound on Route 30, making its way into the James City Count. After driving through one subdivision, Westlove made his way to Stonehouse and began driving on a hillside. One deputy successfully executed a PIT maneuver to spin the black truck out and pin it against a fence, bringing the hour-long chase to a halt. A search of the defendant resulted in the discovery of a credit card belonging to Pamela Weeks. The black SUV Westlove was operating was stolen out of Powhatan County.

Judge B. Elliott Bondurant accepted a plea agreement during the Apr. 15 trial, following it during the sentencing phase. Westlove received a five-year prison sentence with all but one suspended on the assault on a police officer conviction (four years to be served in the Youthful Offender Program). Twenty years on the credit card larceny, five years on the felony eluding of police, and five years on each charge of felony destruction of property were all suspended. The defendant must also pay $25,952.74 in restitution for damage to the police vehicles and the Dominion Power substation.