Web Staff
In a case involving a former Roanoke City police officer, the U.S. Supreme Court says federal law does not allow a “straw purchaser” to buy a gun for someone else even if both are legally eligible to own firearms. In a 5-4 vote, the high court upheld the conviction of Bruce James Abramski Jr., 30, of Roanoke. Abramski bought a handgun near Martinsville five years ago and transferred it to his uncle in Pennsylvania. Prosecutors say he had already agreed to the transfer, but assured the dealer the gun was for himself.
Roanoke Fire-EMS says a house fire on Harrison Avenue yesterday afternoon displaced three adults and two children, but nobody was hurt. Officials say the fire appears to have started in a dryer and did about five thousand dollars damage to the house.
(Continue reading for news release)
Zena Market
Robbery Suspect
From the Roanoke City Police Department:
On June 14, 2014 at 6:52 p.m., Roanoke Police were called to the 100 block of Salem Avenue, the Zena Market, to investigate a robbery. A store clerk told officers the suspect entered the store, inquired about buying a carton of cigarettes, came behind the counter and threatened the clerk that he had a firearm. The clerk opened the cash register and the suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and left the store. While there was a threat of a weapon, the clerk advised officers that no weapon was actually seen. The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 5’6″, weighing around 200 lbs. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Roanoke Valley Crime Line at 540-344-8500.
Provided Surveillance Video:
6/14/2014 Zena Market Robbery Suspect
From Roanoke City Police: On June 13, 2014 at 1:20 a.m. Roanoke Police were dispatched to the 3500 block of Plantation Road NE, the Xpress Stop, to investigate a breaking and entering. Upon arrival officers discovered the suspect had already left the scene. The suspect appeared to gain entry by breaking several windows at the front of the business. Once inside, the suspect took a money order printing machine and ran out of the store. The suspect is described as a white male. This offense may be related to a breaking and entering at a convenience store in the 600 block of Liberty Road NE, the Snappy’s Food Mart, back on June 6th, as well as another convenience store in Roanoke County on Starkey Road about an hour later on that same date. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Roanoke Valley Crime Line at 540-344-8500.
Roanoke Police photos
From the Virginia Department of Health: The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced Friday that youth smoking rates in Virginia have plummeted to an all-time low. The percentage of high school students in Virginia who are regular smokers has declined by more than 61 percent – from 28.6 percent in 2001 to 11.1 percent during the 2013-14 school year, according to the results of the Virginia Youth Health Survey, jointly conducted by VFHY and VDH. Nationally, an estimated 15.7 percent of high school students are regular cigarette smokers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which was released Thursday.
From Roanoke City Police: On June 9, 2014 at 7:35 p.m., Roanoke Police were dispatched to the 4100 block of Tennessee Avenue NW to investigate a report of a robbery. The victim, a Papa John’s pizza delivery driver, was there to deliver a pizza. The victim was near an address that was on the delivery order when a suspect approached the victim from behind, brandished what the victim thought to be a firearm, and demanded money. After the victim complied, the suspect fled on foot. The suspect was described as a black male, thin build, perhaps between the ages of late teens to early 20s. The resident of the home where the pizza was to be delivered told officers that no pizza had been ordered from that address. If you have any information that can help investigators, please call the Roanoke Valley Crime Line at 540-343-8500.
From Virginia State Police: The Virginia State Police are continuing their investigation into a fatal crash that killed a Buena Vista, Virginia resident this morning around 4:20 am on Interstate 81 southbound at the 152 mile post in Botetourt County. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2014 Chevrolet Express cargo truck that was being operated by Kenneth Wayne Decker, age 68 of Buena Vista, Virginia was traveling southbound on Interstate 81 when he ran off the left side of the roadway striking an embankment before overturning. Decker was transported to Roanoke Memorial hospital for his injuries and was pronounced dead a short time later. He was wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash.
Dana Grace Pannell
A local playwright is raising money through a June Jubilee in Franklin County to perform at a Washington, D.C. theatre festival. Dana Grace Pannell’s play “Grace is in the House” was selected from over 300 submissions to be featured in the 2014 DC Black Theatre Festival. WFIR Intern Reporter Alexis Manley has the story.
Click here for full event information.
