EMPORIA
The Southampton County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Virginia State Police on Wednesday night in capturing two males who allegedly stole a vehicle in New York. The suspects were tracked by patrol dogs and were located at the intersection of Orion Road and Wyatt’s Mill Road in Greensville County.

The driver, Jesus F. Gonzalez Jr., 19, of Orlando, Florida, has been charged with possession of stolen property, speeding, eluding police and driving on a suspended operators license.

The passenger, Ronald K. Scott Jr., of Waterbury, Connecticut, has been charged with possession of stolen property.

The manhunt began when a trooper attempted to pull over a black 2007 Infinity for speeding on Interstate 95 on Wednesday afternoon, at which time it was determined that the vehicle was stolen. Gonzalez sped away and vehicle pursuit was initiated. The chase shifted to foot when the driver and passenger fled into a wooded area off of Waters Wheel Road, north of Emporia.

The collaborative effort to locate and bring the suspects into custody also involved the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.