Update – David Lee Blair III is facing additional charges as a result of Monday night’s vehicle pursuit and the Elkton home invasion from last weekend. As had been previously released, Blair discarded methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia from his vehicle onto Waynesboro streets when the vehicle pursuit began. This property was recovered early Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday, an Augusta County resident located an M4 semi-automatic rifle while mowing on his property in the 700 block of Hermitage Road. The citizen turned the rifle over to the Waynesboro Police Department after seeing news of the pursuit from local media outlets. The rifle was stolen from the Elkton home during the home invasion robbery. On Wednesday, the Waynesboro Police Department, using ATVs and foot patrols, conducted an extensive search of the area along Route 254 that the Monday’s pursuit travelled. Officers found a cellphone and a knapsack with about $2,000 and lottery tickets inside.
The new charges for Blair are Possession of a Firearm while in Possession of a Schedule I or II drug (f) and Driving on a Revoked License (m).
He remains at Middle River Regional Jail without bond.
Previous Release:
The Waynesboro Police Department arrested a Harrisonburg man on several felonies after he led officers on a late night pursuit through Waynesboro and Augusta County. David Lee Blair III, 28 years old, faces drugs, driving and child endangerment charges stemming from a traffic stop gone awry late Monday night.
Just before midnight on May 18, an officer attempted to stop Blair, who is known to have a revoked license, while he was driving a 2015 Jeep Cherokee near the intersection of Loudoun Avenue and Fir Street. Initially, Blair stopped his vehicle but when the investigating officer approached to speak with him, Blair sped off. A vehicle pursuit ensued which went west on Ivy Street in front of Kate Collins Middle School. The officer observed Blair throwing narcotics and drug paraphernalia from his vehicle. The pursuit then left the city limits on Route 254 and got to speeds of over 100 mph. As Blair’s vehicle approached Interstate 81, units from the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police set up in a manner to intercept him. He then pulled over near Annex Road and surrendered.
Officers found Blair’s 14 month old daughter and girlfriend in the vehicle. Neither was injured. The pursuit went approximately 11 miles and lasted about 8 minutes. The officers found marijuana in the vehicle and recovered methamphetamine and digital scales on the side of the road near Kate Collins Middle School.
Blair faces the following felony charges:
• Eluding
• Child Endangerment
• Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute
• Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute.
The Police Department is also investigating a link between Blair and the armed 16 year old juvenile who pointed a gun at officers on April 29. Blair is being held in Middle River Regional Jail without bond.