Suffolk Burglary Arrest: Suspect Captured in Marsh After Eluding Police

A burglary at a business on Godwin Boulevard in Suffolk, Virginia, led to a dramatic police pursuit that ended with the suspect hiding in a swampy marsh. The 44-year-old suspect is now facing a long list of felony and misdemeanor charges.

Commercial Burglary and Police Chase

The incident began on Thursday, May 28, 2026, when Suffolk Police received a report of an early morning burglary at a business located in the 2700 block of Godwin Boulevard. Investigators quickly identified a suspect and began searching for him.

The following day, Friday, May 29, officers spotted the suspect's vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on Route 58 near Wilroy Road. Instead of complying with the officers, the driver, identified as Joshua Hubbard, 44, abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Hubbard ran into a nearby marshy area, hoping to evade capture by hiding in the dense wetlands. Suffolk Police surrounded the area, located Hubbard, and took him into custody without further incident.

Extensive List of Charges

Following his arrest, Hubbard was booked into the regional jail. He faces numerous charges related to the burglary, his escape attempt, and outstanding warrants, including:

• Two counts of Statutory Burglary (Breaking and Entering) with Intent to Commit Larceny
• One count of Grand Larceny
• One count of Possession of Burglary Tools
• One count of Possession of Stolen Property with Intent to Sell
• One count of Wearing a Mask in Public to Conceal Identity
• One count of Computer Fraud
• One count of Stealing a Lottery Ticket
• One count of Obtaining Money by False Pretenses
• One count of Eluding Police (misdemeanor)

Additionally, police confirmed that Hubbard had active outstanding warrants for Failure to Appear and Revocation of a Suspended License.

Burglary Prevention Tips for Retail and Commercial Businesses

Commercial break-ins can cause substantial financial damage to business owners, not only through stolen goods but also from physical damage to property. The Suffolk Police Department and security experts recommend the following security measures:

• Install High-Quality Commercial Locksets : Double-cylinder deadbolts and heavy-duty latch guards prevent burglars from easily prying or jimmying open doors with simple hand tools.
• Keep Exterior Areas Well-Lit : Burglars prefer to work under the cover of darkness. Install bright LED floodlights with motion sensors around all entryways, alleyways, and parking areas to increase the risk of detection.
• Secure High-Value Items : Lock expensive inventory, electronics, safes, and key boxes in secure rooms inside the building. In this case, items like lottery tickets and keys should be kept in locked cabinets or safe deposit boxes when the business is closed.
• Monitored Alarm and Video Systems : Businesses should be equipped with motion sensors and glass-break detectors connected to a 24/7 monitoring service. Monitored video cameras that send real-time alerts to smartphones allow owners to immediately check the premises and call the police if suspicious activity is detected.

Sources

• City of Suffolk Official Website (Press Release)
• 13News Now (WVEC)