William Francisco Madrigal

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

A wild car chase through Virginia ended with a crash, a foot pursuit, and one officer getting bitten by a suspect who stole a running car and took off, police said.

The chaos began around 4:49 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, when officers with the Prince William County Police Department were called to the 9300 block of Byron Street in Manassas to investigate a stolen vehicle.

According to police, the car’s owner had left it unlocked and running in front of a home when a man — later identified as 22-year-old William Francisco Madrigal, who has no fixed address — hopped inside and drove off.

Responding officers spotted the stolen vehicle in the area of Lomond Drive and Bull Run Road, but when they tried to stop it, Madrigal hit the gas. 

Police said he sped away, struck another vehicle, and then bailed out on foot. Officers chased Madrigal down, and when they caught up, a struggle broke out. 

During the scuffle, Madrigal bit an officer on the hand before he was ultimately detained, police said. The officer suffered minor injuries.

A search of the stolen car later turned up suspected narcotics, according to investigators.

Madrigal was charged with:

  • Assault and battery on a law enforcement officer;
  • Grand larceny (auto);
  • Possession of stolen property;
  • Hit-and-run;
  • Reckless driving;
  • Driving on a revoked license;
  • Two counts of obstruction of justice;
  • Wearing a mask to conceal identity;
  • Possession of a scheduled narcotic.

Madrigal was taken into custody without further incident and is being held without bond.