Phone tip leads to fugitive

Staff report
Published: June 20, 2008

A telephone tip to Culpeper Crime Solvers resulted in the capture of a man wanted in Culpeper on two felony and two misdemeanor charges and on additional charges in Fauquier County.

Derrick O. Lewis, 22, of Warrenton, was charged with credit card theft, credit card forgery and two misdemeanor charges relating to receiving goods from the use of the credit card, according to Wally Bunker, public information officer for theTtown of Culpeper.

“Based on the anonymous telephone tip Wednesday afternoon, Culpeper Police Officer Charles Wheeler and Sgt. J. C. Welch went back to a townhouse in the 500 block of Cromwell Court after checking several other addresses,” Bunker said in a news release. Lewis had been wanted on the Culpeper charges since last month, but police had been unable to find him, Bunker said.

Bunker said that at first, no one answered the door after police knocked, however, the officers heard the alarm on the dryer go off and then suddenly stop. The officers continued to knock.

“A man came to the door and denied knowing Lewis,” Bunker said. “The man also told police that he didn’t think anyone else was in his home, but he allowed the officers to look inside.”

The officers found Lewis hiding in a closet.

Lt, Chris Settle said the investigation into the use of the credit card is continuing and Lewis could face additional charges.

Lewis remains in jail. His trial is scheduled in general district court July 9 at 11 a.m.

Anyone with information about any crime or wanted person in the town of county may contact Crime Solvers anonymously at 727-0300. A caller never has to give their name or testify in court to receive a cash reward.