BY KEITH EPPS

A man who police said stole a school bus in an attempt to elude them was arrested on numerous charges late Wednesday in Stafford County.

Jeffrey Michael Jenkins, 24, of no fixed address, was arrested outside a home on Cricket Lane, sheriff's spokesman Bill Kennedy said. Deputies had the residence off Holly Corner Road surrounded and grabbed Jenkins as he ran out a side door.

According to Kennedy, the incident began around 9:30 p.m. when Deputy Vernon Galyen contacted other deputies and asked them to be on the lookout for a vehicle. The driver of the vehicle had just fled after breaking into a home on Jacobs Lane and getting into a fight with its occupants.

Sgt. Joe Bice and Deputy Aaron Dupree spotted the vehicle a short time later heading north on Warrenton Road (U.S. 17). They tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver turned onto Banks Ford Parkway and wouldn't pull over.

The driver then increased his speed and crossed a double yellow line before turning into a driveway on Good Neighbor Road, striking a car that was parked there.

The driver got out of the vehicle at that point and fled, while a passenger stayed in the car and was not arrested.

A tracking dog was brought to the scene and led deputies to an area behind Rocky Run Elementary School where school buses are parked. A chain on the fence had been broken and one of the buses was missing.

Deputies received a call that a school bus was being driven recklessly a short distance away in the area of Hall and Lad lanes. Deputies found that the bus had been driven down Peach Tree Lane and left in a field.

The ensuing investigation led police to Cricket Lane, where they surrounded the house and ordered Jenkins to come out. Another person who was in the house came out and was not charged. Jenkins finally tried to make a break for it and was apprehended.

Kennedy said Jenkins was "escorted to the ground" after ignoring demands to get down. Police said he continued to be loud and disorderly throughout the arrest and was kicking windows in the police cruiser as he was taken from the scene.

Jenkins was charged with breaking and entering, vandalism, driving under the influence, obstruction of justice, resisting arrest, driving on a suspended license, hit-and-run and grand larceny.

He was placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail under no bond.

Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
Email: kepps@freelancestar.com