NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. -- A man has been arrested in New Kent after abducting his 4-year-old son, flipping the car they were in, and holding him at knife point.
Police have identified the man as 32-year-old Bryan M. Valdez of Norfolk.
Crime Insider sources said a car driven by Valdez was spotted in Eastern Henrico around 1:30 p.m.
Following a brief chase by Virginia State Police at speeds exceeding 100 mph, the car ran off the right side of the road in New Kent on I-64 near mile marker 205 and flipped multiple times.
"The suspect vehicle was traveling in excess of 100 mph when it rammed the back of a state police vehicle and then sideswiped the patrol car. It was at this point that the suspect driver lost control and the suspect vehicle ran off the road and overturned near Exit 205 in New Kent County," said a Virginia State Police spokesperson.
Police say Valdez escaped the vehicle holding his son at knifepoint and ran into the woods.
"The troopers were able to verbally de-escalate the situation and convince the male suspect to put down the knife. State police then took the man into custody and secure the child without further incident," said the spokesperson.
Valdez has been charged with one felony count of child endangerment, one felony count of abduction by force, one felony count of eluding police and reckless driving.
He was also wanted on charges in the City of Norfolk.
Valdez and his son were taken to VCU Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries and the boy has since been united with his mother.
Valdez continues to be held at the Henrico County Jail.
Several lanes were closed and police and diverted traffic around the interstate throughout Monday afternoon.
