The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office released announced the arrest and booking of a local man in Sunday’s shooting at the Sterling Walmart store. That incident left three people injured, including a Sheriff’s deputy. After a nearly three hour manhunt, the suspect was arrested in Chantilly. Here is the statement from the SO.
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A Sterling man involved in the shooting of a sheriff’s deputy and two civilians has been released from the hospital and was arrested today on 11 felony charges.
Steven E. Thodos, 33, is charged with two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder, two counts of Aggravated Malicious Wounding, one count of Malicious Wounding, four counts of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, one count of Auto Theft, and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Thodos is being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on no bond.
The suspect was located in Fairfax County on January 2, 2021, after he shot a Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputy and two civilians while he was being taken into custody for a larceny at the Walmart in the Dulles Crossing Plaza.
The suspect was initially confronted by two civilian loss prevention officers at the Walmart, who reportedly observed him stealing items from the store. As two deputies responded to take the individual into custody, the suspect began to struggle with them and pulled out a firearm. The suspect then discharged multiple rounds striking one deputy and the two store employees.
The suspect fled the store as another deputy gave chase. The deputy and the suspect exchanged fire. The suspect, who was struck, was able to flee the area in a vehicle he stole from a nearby parking lot.
A lookout was posted for the stolen vehicle and members of the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) located the suspect vehicle traveling southbound on Route 28. FCPD Officers followed the suspect vehicle which ended up crashing in the area of Presgraves Court. He was later taken into custody by the Fairfax County Police Department on Pennsboro Drive. He was taken to an area hospital and was released on Wednesday.
All three of the victims were taken to a local hospital. The two civilians have since been released from the hospital. The sheriff’s deputy remains hospitalized in stable, but serious condition.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Fairfax County Police Department and the Virginia State Police for their assistance.