CULPEPER COUNTY, Va. — On Friday, a masked suspect stole multiple packs of cigarettes from a mini mart before shoving a store clerk and fleeing the scene.
According to the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), the incident occurred September 19, 2025.
Deputies were dispatched to the 7-Eleven store at 18179 Lee Highway at approximately 1:50 a.m. after a black Nissan Rogue pulled up and parked sideways in front of the entrance.
A male suspect, dressed in all black and wearing a Halloween mask, entered the store, ran behind the registers, and began taking cigarettes from the shelves.
When the clerk approached, the suspect turned and shoved her with both hands, causing her to stumble. She was not injured.
The suspect fled in the Nissan Rogue but through basic investigative work was later identified as 42-year-old Scott Matthew Gaffney of Amissville.
“Sometimes I’m even at a loss for words,” said Culpeper County Sheriff T.W.Chilton. “This one should be on an episode of World’s Worst Criminals.”
Detectives obtained warrants charging Gaffney with wearing a mask to conceal identity (§18.2-422), assault (§18.2-57), and petit larceny (§18.2-96).
