Under 19.2-77, what may an officer do if a person escapes during arrest?

• A. Pursue the person anywhere in Virginia to apprehend them
• B. Cease pursuit immediately
• C. Seek a warrant before continuing
• D. Stop pursuit if the person is unarmed

Answer: (A)

When a person escapes after an officer begins arresting them, the officer has the authority to continue the pursuit to recapture within the state. The language of 19.2-77 is about pursuing an escapee to effectuate the arrest, and within Virginia that pursuit may go wherever necessary to apprehend the person. This framework exists to prevent the suspect from slipping away and to complete the arrest promptly, rather than waiting for a warrant or stopping simply because the evader might be unarmed. So the option that allows pursuing the escapee anywhere in Virginia best reflects the statute.