Virginia woman wanted in triple murder of roommates arrested after high-speed chase

A 23-year-old woman allegedly involved in the murders of her three roommates in Virginia was arrested after a chase on an upstate New York highway, police said Friday.

Alyssa Jane Venable had been sought by authorities after members of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office found two men and a woman dead “from upper body trauma” during a welfare check Tuesday evening in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the sheriff's office said.

The victims were identified as Robert John McGuire, 77; Gregory Scott Powell, 60 years old and Carol Anne Reese, 65 years old.

“Upon further investigation and collection of evidence, it was discovered that a roommate committed this heinous crime,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement identifying Venable as the suspect. She was wanted on three counts of second-degree murder and a firearms charge, the sheriff's office said.

New York State Police troopers arrested Venable Thursday evening, more than 300 miles from Fredericksburg. She was driving a gray Honda Civic on Interstate 86 shortly after 5:30 p.m. when officers tried to stop her, but she refused, state police said. Officers chased her and authorities used a tire deflation device that caused the Civic to crash, the sheriff's office said, adding that the speed reached 100 mph. State police were assisted by the Steuben County Sheriff's Office.

Venable was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, state police said. She is being held at the Steuben County Jail. State police said troopers would make extradition arrangements.

The sheriff's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. State police said they could not comment on a potential motive.