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12-hour search ends in assault suspect’s apprehension in Fluvanna County

Malik Thornton, 22, of Charlottesville was caught by police. Photo: Contributed/ACPD


ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA – (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Police took an assault suspect into custody Friday afternoon after a 12-hour search.

Albemarle County Police, with the assistance of the Fluvanna County Sheriff’s Office, apprehended Malik I. Thornton, a 22-year-old Charlottesville man, who is the suspect in an assault that occurred at a county apartment complex early Friday morning.

An 8-month-old child that Thornton fled the scene of the assault with, was located unharmed, also with assistance from the Fluvanna County Sheriff’s Office. A female victim, who was known to Thornton, suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to UVA Health.

According to a statement, “At approximately 3 a.m., ACPD officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Wahoo Way for a report of a female feeling dizzy and nauseous. Further information provided led first responders to believe the injuries being reported could be consistent with an assault.”

Thornton was wanted on warrants for strangulation, child abuse, assault on a family member, abduction by force, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Thornton is described as a 22-year-old Black male with black hair and brown eyes, approximately 5’10” and weighing approximately 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black short-sleeve shirt with an orange graphic and blue pants.

Additional charges are pending following further investigation.

 

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