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Axtman |
BY KEITH EPPS
A man who eluded Stafford County authorities last month was finally apprehended, but not before he briefly escaped again, police said.
Michael Axtman, 26, of Stafford was arrested late Friday after someone saw him coming out of a Wawa on U.S. 17 and called police, Stafford Sheriff's spokesman Bill Kennedy said.
Police had been looking for Axtman since March 25, when Deputy Chris Armitage saw him driving in the Olde Forge subdivision. Axtman has six convictions for driving on a revoked license.
Police said Axtman sped away when Armitage tried to stop him and eventually turned onto a dirt road and hit a fallen tree.
Axtman and an intoxicated 13-year-old relative got out of the car and ran, but only the girl was apprehended that night.
Axtman, who lives on England Run Lane, was charged with a slew of offenses. He missed a scheduled trial on unrelated charges earlier this month.
The call about Axtman's appearance at the Wawa came about 10:10 p.m., Kennedy said. The caller told police he was in a white work van that was heading south on U.S. 17.
Deputy Martin Stotts spotted the van and stopped it at 605 Warrenton Road, Kennedy said. Axtman was taken out of the back seat, handcuffed and placed in Stotts' cruiser.
While Stotts was speaking with the driver, he noticed that Axtman had forced open the rear door and was running south on U.S. 17 toward a motel and some woods.
He was caught and resisted efforts to be taken back into custody, Kennedy said. With the help of other deputies, Stotts got him back in the cruiser.
Police said Axtman did not calm down on the way to the Rappahannock Regional Jail. He broke the door handle, door panel and window controls in the cruiser and struggled with deputies and staff at the jail.
Axtman was additionally charged with escape, obstruction of justice and vandalism. He is being held without bond.
Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
Email: kepps@freelancestar.com
