High speed crash in New Kent leads to arrest of armed subject

An armed individual who led Virginia State Troopers on a chase that ended in New Kent County has been apprehended without incident following a pursuit Monday afternoon.

Virginia State Police received a request for assistance from the City of Norfolk about a suspect who had allegedly abducted a four-year-old boy. State police located the vehicle traveling east on Interstate 64 near the 200 mile marker just before 2:30 p.m. An attempt to initiate a traffic stop was made, but the suspect fled.

The suspect’s vehicle traveled eastbound on Interstate 64 in excess of 100 miles per hour, ramming on state trooper’s car in the rear and sideswiping another before the driver lost control and crashed the vehicle near mile marker 205 (Bottoms Bridge) in New Kent. State troopers observed the suspected exit his vehicle armed with a knife. While carrying the child, the suspect fled into the woods with troopers in pursuit.

After encountering the suspect and the child, the troopers were able to verbally deescalate the situation and convince the male suspect to put down the knife. State police took the man into custody and secure the child without further incident.

The suspect, identified as Bryan M. Valdez, 32, of Norfolk, was transported along with the child to a local medical facility. The child has been returned to his mother.

Valdex was transported to Henrico County Jail and is being charged with one count each of child endangerment, abduction by force, and felony eluding of police. He also has charges pending in Norfolk.