Crime Blotter: Dump Truck Driver Tries to Run Over Officer

Manassas Man Arrested for Abduction, Attempted Rape

Police in Prince William County have arrested a Manassas man accused of raping a 33-year-old woman, also from Manassas.

 Police were called to the 7400 bock of Backus Lane (Manassas-20111) to investigate an alleged rape on Tuesday, May 17, just before 6 a.m. The woman reported to police that the accused, identified as Alfonzo Guzman, 34, a known acquaintance, had assaulted her before dragging her into a bathroom in the residence where he then attempted to rape her. 

According to police, the woman was able to escape her attacker and contact police. Guzman was arrested without incident, police confirm. He is charged with attempted rape, abduction with intent to defile and domestic assault and batter. He is being held without bond. Court date is unavailable.

Police in Prince William County arrested the driver of a dump truck after he tried to run over the officer who had stopped to investigate a potential car crash the vehicle was involved in. 

It happened Saturday, May 14, just before 9 a.m. in the area of Lomond and Garner drives in Manassas (20109).

As the officer was assessing the crash, the driver of the dump truck, identified as Ralph Perry Tanks, 56, of 15123 Concord Drive in Woodbridge, exited the truck and aggressively approached the officer, police said.

The accused returned to his truck after being instructed to do so by the officer. But as the officer continued his investigation, Tanks again exited the truck and aggressively approached the officer.

Tanks returned to his vehicle for the second time and started the truck. That’s when he proceeded towards the officer who had to quickly get out of the way to avoid being struck, police said.

Tanks was arrested without further incident and is being charged with attempted malicious wounding of an officer and obstruction of justice. His court date is set for July 21. He is being held without bond. 

 Prince William County Police responded to investigate an alleged assault on May 4, which was reported to have occurred in the 8000 block of Sudley Rd in Manassas (20109). 

The victim, identified by police as a 17-year-old male of Manassas, reported to police that he was walking in the area above when he was approached by three men, one of which was known to the victim.

That’s when one of the men struck the victim in the head. The victim ran home and contacted police and was treated at an area hospital for minor injuries. The investigation continues; anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police. 

Prince William County police are investigating after a home on Emerald Drive in Manassas (20109) was burglarized on Tuesday, May 18. 

Police were called to the scene in the 7400 block of Emerald Drive the next day at 1:42 a.m. to investigate. The homeowner told police that the burglary occurred sometime between 12:30 p.m. on May 17, and 12:00 a.m. on May 18.

Entry appeared to have been made through a rear basement door, which had been forced opened, police said.

An undisclosed amount of cash was reported missing. Anyone with information regarding the burglary or suspect (s) is asked to call police.