An SUV was stolen from the parking lot at OWL Volunteer Fire Department in Woodbridge, Va., Saturday night, and a police captain has been accused of the crime.
The OWL (Occoquan, Woodbridge and Lorton) Volunteer Fire department was holding an installation ceremony for their new officers and an awards banquet Saturday night. It's considered such an important event that local elected leaders, including U.S. Rep. Gerald Connelly, attended. The Dale City Volunteer Fire department sent manpower and equipment to cover so OWL Volunteer personnel could participate.
Manassas Park Police Capt. Travis Mosher, 30, showed up wearing his uniform, and although no one knows if he was invited or not, Mosher wasn't turned away.
At about 7:30 p.m., the SUV assigned to a Dale City Battalion Fire chief was reported stolen.
A surveillance camera recording the parking lot reportedly was used to identify Mosher as the alleged thief.
"Capt Mosher left with a 2005 Ford excursion without permission," said Prince William County Police Spokeswoman Erika Hernandez.
Police are investigating allegations that alcohol may have been involved.
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"All that is being investigated but he was not charged with any alcohol related incidents," Hernandez said.
The stolen SUV was found abandoned at BJ's Wholesale Club off Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge. Mosher voluntarily turned himself in at the Prince William County Police Gar-Field station.
Court papers quote Capt Mosher as saying he "had a lot to drink" and "could not remember certain details of the incident."
Mosher was released on his own recognizance. He has been charged with felony grand larceny for stealing the SUV and petite larceny because a woman's purse was left in the vehicle.
On Sunday Mosher resigned from the Manassas Park police force, where he served as a division commander. He'd joined the force in 2005 and worked his way up to become the third highest ranking officer in the Manassas Park Police Department.
