Homicide Suspect Found Hiding in Va. Basement

A 20-year-old man wanted in connection with a homicide in Pennsylvania was found in Northern Virginia Thursday, seeking shelter inside a stranger's home.

According to Prince William County Police, Earl Patrick Mitchell fled on foot after a chase with Manassas City Police Thursday in the area of Prince William Parkway and Tattersall Drive.

A passenger was inside his car at the time, and was not charged regarding the incident.

Officers, K-9 units and a helicopter conducted a search for Mitchell for several hours.

Police now say Mitchell had snuck into a home on Mineral Springs Drive through an unlocked back door and hid in a basement for some time. He had made contact with two men inside the home at the time. Police say they tried to calm Mitchell down -- he had a loaded handgun with him. 

The men then contacted police and were able to flee the residence when Mitchell was distracted. 

Police later searched the home and found Mitchell hiding inside a storage area of the basement.

"As of right now, we haven't been able to determine a connection [between Mitchell and Manassas] or if he was just passing through," Jonathan Perok with Prince William County Police said. 

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