Suspects identified in chase that injured two state troopers

Two Virginia State Police troopers and a York-Poquoson deputy were injured during a police pursuit of two burglary suspects Wednesday.

Andre L. Shorts, 19, of Norfolk and Yaree M. Woods, 28, of Chesapeake each face several charges, including burglary and reckless driving.

About 1:30 p.m. someone called 911 to report a possible residential burglary in progress in the 100 block of Jenkins Court in York County, a news release from the sheriff’s office said. When deputies arrived and found a vehicle described by the 911 caller, they did a license plate check and found that it was a vehicle reported stolen from Virginia Beach.

The deputies tried to make a traffic stop, but the vehicle did not stop, and a chase ensued.

During that initial pursuit, a York-Poquoson deputy was involved in a minor single-vehicle crash, the sheriff’s news release said. No serious injuries were reported.

The chase continued onto Interstate 64 east, said Virginia State Police Sgt. Michelle Cotten. As troopers tried to box the vehicle, one of the trooper’s cars struck another trooper's car, and the two struck a guardrail and tractor trailer.

The two troopers, J. Street and M. Lawton, did not have injuries that were considered life threatening.

Other troopers continued the chase, and a short time later the suspects crashed near King Street in Hampton and the two fled on foot.

State Police troopers apprehended the suspects within minutes. They were being held in Hampton and Virginia Beach, a news release from the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office said Thursday.

The York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office said additional charges against the two are forthcoming.

Staff writer Cindy Clayton contributed to this story.