Crime and Public Safety
UPDATE: Roanoke Police have arrested Isaiah C. Baldwin, 20 of Roanoke, and charged him with Second Degree Murder regarding this homicide investigation.
Baldwin was identified as a suspect in the early stages of the investigation. The warrant was obtained overnight and officers immediately began searching for him. He was taken into custody earlier today by the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force without incident. He was transported to the Roanoke Police Department to speak with detectives and then was remanded into the custody of the Roanoke Sheriff’s Office.
(previously) A man is dead following a reported shooting near the 7/11 in the 14 hundred block of Grandin Road in Southwest Roanoke. No suspects were found on scene last night and no arrests have been made.
On April 12, 2023, Investigators with the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Virginia State Police and the DEA, were attempting to execute a search warrant on a vehicle operated by Najiee Turner.
While attempting a takedown of the vehicle at the Go Mart, located at 1110 East Main Street inside the town of Bedford, Turner placed the vehicle in reverse striking a Bedford County Sheriff’s Office vehicle while it was occupied, and he proceeded to flee in his vehicle, almost striking another Deputy. A lengthy pursuit ensued which led Deputies through the Town of Bedford and into the County where Turner lost control of the vehicle and crashed. The pursuit ended in the area of Wyatts Way and Bethel Church Road where Turner was taken into custody without further incident.
The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office located a large amount of Fentanyl pills (Approximately 6,000 with a street value of approximately $120,000.00) in the area of where the pursuit took place and Turner was charged with the following Felony Charges:
-Attempted Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer – 18.2-25/18.2-31
-Attempted Malicious Wounding of a Law Enforcement Officer – 18.2-26/18.2-51.1
-Assault and Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer – 18.2-57
-Attempt to Elude Law Enforcement – 46.2-817
-Possession with the Intent to Distribute Narcotics (Fentanyl) – 18.2-248
We also conducted another Search Warrant at Turner’s residence and over $11,000 in cash was recovered and this is still an active investigation.
The Salem Fire & EMS Department responded to an apartment fire Thursday evening at approximately 7:05 p.m. First responders arrived within two minutes of receiving the call and found heavy smoke coming from a first-floor apartment and light smoke coming from the attic of the Glenmary complex, located just off West Main Street. All occupants who were inside made it out safely, but one person was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Approximately seven residents were evacuated from the building and three dogs also were safely removed by fire personnel.
Crews began an interior fire attack and primary search of the building as soon as they arrived. Firefighters brought the fire under control within 10 minutes of arrival, but one apartment did sustain moderate fire, smoke, and water damage. The Salem Fire and EMS Department greatly appreciates the quick actions of a neighbor who utilized a fire extinguisher before crews arrived and helped limit the damage. The Salem Fire Marshal’s Office investigated the fire and determined that it was accidental and caused
by unattended cooking. Damage from the fire is estimated at $30,000. One resident was displaced by the fire and is staying with family.
MGN
Roanoke Police are at the scene of a barricaded subject inside a residence near 16th Street SE and Carlisle Avenue SE. There is a heavy police presence in the area (as of 1pm), and RPD will be there for some time. Please avoid travel in the Brownlee Ave SE, Carlisle Ave SE, Gordon Ave SE, and 16th St SE area as our officers work to safely take this wanted subject into custody. This post will be updated when the situation is resolved.
On April 10, 2023 at approximately 5:30 p.m., Roanoke Police we’re notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of a person with a gunshot wound in the 1600 block of Salem Avenue SW. Responding officers located three victims — two juvenile males, one adult female — with gunshot wounds. All three appeared to have non-life-threatening injuries. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported all three victims to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.
No suspects were located on scene and the investigation is in the early stages.
PITTSYVANIA, Va. – Virginia State Police is investigating a two-vehicle crash, which resulted in a fatality. The crash occurred Friday (Apr 7) at 7:15 a.m. on Route 718, at its intersection with Route 839 in Pittsylvania County.
A 2001 Toyota Camry failed to yield the right of way, while making a left turn onto Route 718 and was struck by a 2020 Western Star tractor trailer, which was traveling east on Route 718.
The driver of the Toyota was identified as David Franklin Scarce, 75, of Dry Fork, Va. Mr. Scarce was wearing his seatbelt and died at the scene. The driver of the Western Star was not injured. The crash remains under investigation.
Just after midnight today a Roanoke Police Officer on routine patrol near 22nd Street NW and Loudon Avenue NW heard several shots fired. Then the officer was was notified of a person with a gunshot wound in the 2500 block of Shenandoah Ave NW. Officers located an adult male victim with what appeared to be a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and there was property damage to the residence consistent with a shooting. A suspect was not located on scene and no arrests have been made at this time. Late last night Roanoke Police were also notified that a person with a gunshot wound had arrived at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital via personal vehicle. The adult male victim had injuries that appeared to be non-life-threatening.
On March 29, 2023 at approximately 3:30 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of shots fired in the 2000 block of Hanover Avenue NW. While officers were en route to the scene, they were notified that a person had been injured during the shooting. Responding officers located an adult male victim with what appeared to be non-life threatening gunshot wounds. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.
On March 28, 2023 at approximately 7:30 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of a shooting that had occurred in the 2800 block of Meadows Street NW. Responding officers located a vehicle with damages that appeared to have been caused by gunfire. Officers also located a juvenile female with what appeared to be a minor gunshot wound, and were later advised that a juvenile male had arrived at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital via personal vehicle with what appeared to be a minor gunshot wound. The juvenile female was transported by personal vehicle to and treated at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Preliminary investigation indicates the victims’ vehicle was traveling South towards Bowman Park, when another vehicle passed them traveling North. Shots were fired from the vehicle traveling North striking the victims’ Southbound vehicle. The offender then fled the scene. Officers were able to identify the offender, a juvenile male, and immediately began searching for him. He was located as his residence in Roanoke County.
Roanoke County Police and Roanoke Police Officers took the juvenile offender into custody and transported him to the Roanoke Police Department to speak with detectives. Officers obtained and served petitions for Malicious Wounding and Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle. The offender was transported to the Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Center without further issue.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man for breaking and entering using home surveillance footage. Authorities say 21-year-old Alexander Gill of Hardy was arrested after he was located wearing the same clothes he was in the camera footage from just after 4:30 Sunday morning. He’s facing several charges including burglary and two felonies for property damage over $1,000. Continue reading