Suspects found and charged with Grand Larceny for theft of vehicle

Derrick Aldine Malone and Dakota Leigh Free. Photos courtesy of RSW Jail.

On September 18, 2019, the Front Royal Police Department responded to the 800 block of John Marshall Highway for a reported larceny of a motor vehicle. The victim alleged that his 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer was stolen from the parking lot of 7-11 after leaving his vehicle running while he went into the store. Witnesses were interviewed on scene who advised they had observed two subjects, one male and one female, get into the vehicle and drive off.

A description of the vehicle and suspects were given to surrounding jurisdictions while the investigation continued. Detectives retrieved video footage from the 7-11 and confirmed witness statements.

On September 22, 2019, Front Royal Police Department received information that the stolen vehicle was possibly parked at the Hampton Inn in Front Royal. When Officers arrived, the vehicle was located parked in the back lot of the hotel and confirmed to be the stolen vehicle from earlier in the week. The vehicle was towed to the Front Royal Police Department to be processed and stored. The suspects were positively identified as Derrick Aldine Malone and Dakota Leigh Free, and both were detained without incident and charged with Grand Larceny for theft of the vehicle. Malone and Free are currently being held at the Rappahannock Shenandoah Warren Regional Jail without bond.

Anyone who has further information about this incident is asked to contact Detective D. Fogle at the Front Royal Police Department, Criminal Investigations Division at (540) 636-2208 or dfogle@frontroyalva.com.