Crime and Public Safety
ROANOKE, Va. – On March 16th, 2023, the Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force executed a search warrant 1500 block of Riverside Terrace SE in Roanoke, Va., as a result of a long-term drug investigation which involved several counties in the Roanoke area, to include Bedford, Alleghany, and Botetourt.
Seized during the investigation was approximately 10.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, 7.1 ounces of fentanyl, 13 grams of heroin, 30 grams of cocaine, 9.2 ounces of marijuana, 57 doses of Suboxone, and 33.5 doses of prescription pills, 20 firearms, and $6,647 in U.S. currency. The street value of all drugs seized are $1,051,367.00.
Ronnie Edward Niday, 19, of Roanoke, Va., was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of a firearm while in possession of a schedule I/II drug, distribution of methamphetamine, and distribution of fentanyl.
Shawn Michael McCraw, 35, of Roanoke, Va., was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm while in possession of a schedule I/II drug.
Ashley Nicole Bobbitt, 23, of Roanoke, Va., was charged with possession of a schedule I/II drug, possession of a firearm while in possession of a schedule I/II drug.
Niday, McCraw and Bobbit are being held with no bond at this time at the Roanoke Adult Detention Center.
The Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task force is comprised of investigative personnel from the Roanoke City Police Department, Salem Police Department, Vinton Police Department and Virginia State Police.
Police have arrested a man who was wanted after slamming his vehicle in reverse striking a Roanoke City Police car while authorities were trying to apprehend him. 25-year-old Ryan Guerrant allegedly made the escape attempt in June of last year after a Roanoke man was found shot on Colonial Avenue SW. Police recovered 51 grams of fentanyl, 187 grams of methamphetamine, and a handgun. Guerrant is being held without bond.
(update) The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office reports that the fire on Plymouth Drive this morning originated in the kitchen and is still currently under investigation. Damages are estimated at $60,000.
(Roanoke County, VA—March 19, 2023) Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded at 8:27 a.m. on Sunday, March 19, 2023 to the 100 block of Plymouth Drive, in the Hollins area of Roanoke County, for the report of a residential structure fire. First arriving crews from Station 5 (Hollins) found heavy smoke and fire coming from the rear of a 1.5 story brick home and marked it a working fire.
At the time of the fire, the home was occupied by one teenager and a dog and two cats. There are no injuries to people or pets. The fire was brought under control in approximately 15 minutes. A family of three will be displaced and staying with family in the area. The American Red Cross will be assisting this family. We appreciate the assistance of Roanoke Fire and EMS on this call. The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office is on scene to investigate a cause and provide a damage
estimate.
Update: The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office says 16 year old Kacey Crimmins of Vinton, who was reported missing Tuesday has been found safe. Details about her disappearance are limited.
Previous: The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing juvenile. Kacey Crimmins , age 16 of Vinton left her residence around 5:30pm on 3-14-2023. She was wearing a grey shirt, blue jeans, and pink/white Vans shoes. She is 5’2, 140 pounds, light brown hair with highlights. She wears dark black glasses and her ears are pierced. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office at 540-586-7827.
The Salem Police Department discovered the body of John Krippendorf on Thursday afternoon in the southern quadrant of the city just off Braeburn Drive. The 57-year-old Salem resident was reported missing by family members last month after leaving a local hospital in the early morning hours on February 9. Reports of his disappearance surfaced in mid-February and a variety of law enforcement agencies and citizen groups used various methods to locate him. On Thursday, Salem Police were again searching the area where Krippendorf was last seen when his remains were discovered at approximately 1:50 p.m. Earlier today, the medical examiner’s office positively identified the person in question at Krippendorf, but an official cause of death has not been determined.
Currently, Salem Police do not believe there is any evidence of foul play.
(from Roanoke PD) UPDATE: Roanoke Police have arrested Armonie A. Gunn, 22 of Roanoke, and charged her with First Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon regarding the August 2022 homicide of Mahdi Holland. Roanoke Detectives presented this case to the January meeting of the Roanoke City Grand Jury, where the above charges were obtained. On February 23, 2023, Gunn came to the Roanoke Police Department where the indictments were served without incident and she was taken into custody.
(from Roanoke PD) On March 3 at approximately 1:40 a.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of a person with a gunshot wound in the 1500 block of Buena Vista Blvd SE. Responding officers located an adult male victim inside of a residence with what appeared to be a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Witnesses on scene advised that the suspect was an adult female. A verbal altercation between the victim and suspect led to the shooting. The suspect and victim are known to one another, and preliminary evidence indicates this is an isolated incident. The suspect was not located on scene, and officers immediately set up a perimeter and utilized a K-9 to attempt to track the female suspect. She was not located and has not been taken into custody as of this release.
Some Roanoke residents went before city council to raise concerns about work being conducted by the gun violence prevention commission. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has that story:
