Web Staff
Sarabeth Hammond
William Herbert Martin III
From Henry County Sheriff:The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a larceny that took place on December 29, 2016 at 2575 Virginia Avenue Collinsville, Virginia. Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that William Herbert Martin III, 28, of 119 Maple Street Martinsville, Virginia, stole a Taurus 9mm pistol. Continue reading
Town of Christiansburg news release: Christiansburg Police are investigating an armed robbery at BB&T on Peppers Ferry Road. Police received a call in reference to the robbery at 11:53 a.m. An unknown male, described as 6 feet, 1 inch tall, displayed a handgun inside the bank. He demanded and received an undisclosed amount of money and left the bank on foot, headed south. Employees and patrons were in the bank at the time, but no one was injured. The suspect was described as wearing dark clothing and a lighter-colored baseball hat. Police have been searching the area, with the assistance of a K-9.
From Virginia State Police :Virginia State Police Trooper M.D. Mayhew is investigating a fatal pedestrian crash in Bedford County. The crash occurred Dec. 29, 2016, at 4:43 p.m., on Route 122 less than a mile south of Route 903.Lieben Marie Patrick, 36, of Huddleston, Va., was walking south in the southbound travel lane when she was struck by a southbound 2001 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. The pickup truck was unable to avoid the pedestrian in the travel lane and was unable to cross the centerline as there was a vehicle in the northbound travel lane of Route 122.The driver of the pickup, a 17-year-old male from Moneta, Va., was not injured. He was wearing a seat belt.The crash remains under investigation. No charges have been placed.
Roanoke Police are investigating a bank holdup today in South Roanoke. Police say the suspect walked into the SunTrust branch on McClanahan Street shortly after 10:00 am, showed what appeared to be a handgun and demanded money before taking off on foot. There is no word on how much was taken. No one was hurt. If you have any information that can help police, you are asked to call the Roanoke Police tip line at 540-344-8500. You do not have to leave your name. You can also send an anonymous text message to 274637 [Crimes]. Please begin your text with the keyword “RoanokePD:” to ensure that it’s properly sent.
Paulo Tomas
From the Bedford County Sheriff’s office: Paulo B. Tomas age 45, of Cumberland, Rhode Island was arrested by Rhode Island State Police on this date on charges related to a Child Sexual Exploitation investigation in Bedford County, Va. Tomas was being investigated by Bedford County Sheriff’s Office Investigators assigned to the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes against Children Task Force. Tomas solicited an 11-year-old female in Bedford County via the Internet. The child notified her mother who contacted authorities. The Rhode Island State Police executed a search warrant on the residence of Tomas based on Bedford’s investigation. Child pornography was located at the residence of Tomas. Tomas is being held without bail in Rhode Island awaiting extradition to Bedford County for prosecution. Tomas is charged with the following in Bedford County: Two counts of taking indecent liberties with child. Thirteen counts of the use of a communication device to facilitate certain offenses involving children. Seven counts of Production / distribution of child pornography. Rhode Island State Police have also charged Tomas with Possession of Child Pornography.
(State Police photo)
From Virginia State Police: SALEM, Va. – Following a pursuit in the City of Roanoke Sunday night, Virginia State Police have seized crack cocaine, marijuana and cash from the suspect vehicle and are asking for the public’s assistance with finding the driver of the pursuit vehicle. The incident began at approximately 9:34 p.m., Sunday (Dec 18), when Virginia State Police Senior Trooper G.D. Chafin attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban for speeding while traveling south on Interstate 581 in the City of Roanoke. The driver of the 2001 Suburban refused to stop and sped away reaching speeds of up to 110 mph in the posted 55 mph zone. A pursuit was initiated. During the course of the pursuit, the suspect vehicle exited I-581 at Orange Avenue, at which time the Trooper terminated the pursuit. The SUV continued on and moments later struck five unoccupied, parked vehicles near the intersection of Orange Avenue and 11th Street. The driver then fled the scene on foot. When the trooper pulled up to the crash site, he found the SUV unoccupied, but with the keys still in the ignition and engine running. A search of the crashed, abandoned Suburban netted a seizure of 9 pounds of marijuana, crack cocaine and $2,300 dollars in cash. Anyone with information about the driver is encouraged to contact Virginia State Police at 540-375-9500 or on a cell phone at #77 or by email to questions@vsp.virginia.gov.
From Lynchburg Police:The Lynchburg Police Department is investigating a credit card fraud case that occurred on November 18 and 19. The first transaction occurred at Kmart in Lynchburg, where a watch was purchased by the suspect. The second transaction occurred in Roanoke the next day. The victim was still in possession of their physical credit card at the time of the fraudulent transactions. The suspect was captured on store security cameras. Anyone who can identify the suspect should contact Detective C. T. Davis at 434-455-6166, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900. Visit the Central Virginia Crime Stoppers website at www.cvcrimestoppers.org to enter a web tip, or text “CVCS” plus your message to 274637.
Hunter Spence
From The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office: The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office reports several incidents of construction fraud. Numerous construction complaints led deputies to investigate the matter which uncovered that Hunter Engram Spence who went by the name of Johnny Spence was an unlicensed contractor performing jobs in the way of roofing replacements throughout the county. Spence has been indicted by a grand jury and is currently being held without bond in the Botetourt County Public Safety building on numerous charges of construction fraud and obtaining money under false pretense. Anyone wishing to report additional information please contact the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office at 540-473-8230.
Virginia voters approve of the job President Barack Obama is doing, 59 – 38 percent according to a Quinnipiac University Poll released this morning. It shows President-Elect Donald Trump has a negative rating in the Commonwealth despite a positive outlook on the future. The poll also shows Virginians are divided on the issue of flag-burning as a form of political protest, as 48 percent say it should be legal and 47 percent say it should be illegal.
Click here to see full poll result