Bloody trail leads to burglary suspect

Date published: 6/24/2008

Bloody trail leads to burglary suspect

A trail of blood led police to a man suspected of trying to break into a Fredericksburg residence a short time earlier.

City police spokeswoman Natatia Bledsoe said a resident in the 300 block of Hanover Street was awakened by the sound of breaking glass about 3 a.m. Sunday.

The woman called police after hearing a male voice but not seeing anyone.

Officers followed a trail of blood and found the suspect at the corner of Hanover Street and Kenmore Avenue a short time later.

Blood was still dripping on the sidewalk and one arm was cut badly enough to require about a dozen stitches, Bledsoe said.

James Liebetran, 27, of Reston was charged with unlawful entry, destruction of property and public intoxication.

After being treated for his injuries at the Mary Washington Hospital emergency room, Liebetran was placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail under a $3,500 bond.

Bledsoe said the suspect told police he'd been celebrating at Spirit's downtown earlier in the evening but declined to say how both of his arms got bloodied.

--Keith Epps

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Date published: 6/24/2008