Crime and Public Safety
(from VA State police) Virginia State Police Trooper N.A. Keister is investigating a two-vehicle crash in Pittsylvania County. The crash occurred Nov. 26, 2020 at 11:10 p.m. on Route 58 Bypass, less than a mile south of Oakridge Farms Road. A 2008 Honda Civic was traveling south in the northbound lanes of the Route 58 Bypass when it struck head-on a northbound 2005 GMC Yukon. The driver of the Honda, Joaquin B. Galvan, 51, of Bassett, Va., died at the scene. A female passenger in the Honda was transported to Sovah Health for treatment of serious injuries. The Virginia State Police Salem Division Crash Reconstruction Team is assisting with the ongoing crash investigation.
UPDATED NEWS RELEASE: Investigators with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office have taken a suspect into custody. Shirley Kina-Darath Sigmon, 44 years of age, was arrested and has been charged with Robbery of a Business. She is being held without bond.
PREVIOUS: Surveillance video indicates that the suspect vehicle was parked next door at the entrance to the Uttermost Corporation. We are seeking assistance from the public in helping solve this crime. Anyone that was traveling in the area of Uttermost Corporation or Old Kingery’s store at approximately 7:00pmon Saturday, November 21stthat may have noticed the vehicle at Uttermost is urged to contact Inv. McFarling at 540-493-1667. Any assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.
(PREVIOUS from Franklin County Sheriff’s Office) Rocky Mount, VA (November 22, 2020) –On Saturday, November 21st the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a robbery at Old Kingery’s Store located at 3375 Grassy Hill Road in Rocky Mount. The suspect entered the store and went straight to the counter, demanding cash. The suspect appeared to be a white female wearing a red Atlanta Braves shirt, dark hoodie, dark bandana, and leggings (see photo). There was no weapon observed during the robbery. If anyone has information about this incident, please contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 540-483-3000.
( From Roanoke County Fire Rescue Facebook Page)
(Roanoke County, VA—November 26, 2020) Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded at about 1:30a.m., on Thursday, November 26, 2020 to the 3300 block of Franklin Street, which is located in the Cave Spring area, for the report of a chimney fire. First arriving crews found heavy fire and smoke showing from the attic of a one story, wood frame structure. Two adults, three children and a dog all evacuated the home safely. There were no injuries. The fire was brought under control in about an hour. The family will be displaced but will be staying with family in the area. The fire appears to have started in the chimney and extended to the attic and the roof of the home. There is extensive damage to the house. We appreciate the assistance of Salem Engine 3. The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office is on scene to investigate and estimate damages.###
UPDATED NEWS RELEASE: The deceased victim of this incident has been identified as Nathaniel Briggs, 36 of Roanoke. All parties involved in this incident have been identified, and detectives are continuing their investigation. Detectives will continue to update the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, who will ultimately determine if charges will be placed regarding this incident. No arrests have been made at this time, and there are no further updates to this incident.
PREVIOUS: On November 23, 2020 at approximately 10:15 p.m., Roanoke Police responded to reports of a person with a gunshot wound in the 2400 block of Centre Avenue NW. Officers located an adult male with what appeared to be serious injuries inside a residence in the area. Officers rendered first aid until Roanoke Fire-EMS arrived. The victim was pronounced deceased on scene by Roanoke Fire-EMS personnel. His identity will be released after next of kin is notified. Officers were able to determine that all parties involved in the incident remained on scene. All individuals are cooperating with the investigation and are known to one another. Detectives have consulted with the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, and at this time no charges have been placed. Police are not searching for additional suspects. This investigation is ongoing.
MGN
NEWS RELEASE: – The Lynchburg Police Department is investigating a home invasion that occurred on Wooldridge Circle early this morning.
On November 25, 2020 at 1:40 a.m., officers responded to the 100-block of Wooldridge Circle for a report of a burglary in progress. Two men knocked on a residence and assaulted the resident before trying to enter the home. The resident shot both suspects who suffered non-life threatening injuries.
James Franklin, 27, of Roanoke, is charged with breaking and entering and assault and battery.
Alan Douglas Mould, 26, of Lynchburg is charged with breaking and entering and assault and battery.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Det. Davis at (434) 455-6166 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900. Enter a tip online at http://p3tips.com or use the P3 app on a mobile device.
This is an ongoing investigation. Any additional information will be released as an update to this news release.
UPDATE: – The Lynchburg Police Department has arrested Ishmael Bailey, 24, of Richmond in connection with last night’s homicide. He is charged with second degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony.
The deceased has been identified as Lamark Andrae Williams, 48 , of Petersburg.
PREVIOUS NEWS RELEASE: LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Lynchburg Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred at the Super 8 Motel this evening. On November 24, 2020 at 7:15 p.m., officers responded to the Super 8 Motel at 3736 Candlers Mountain Road for a report of a shooting. One individual was found deceased with a single gunshot wound. A suspect was taken into custody on scene.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Det. Dubie at (434) 455-6102 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900. Enter a tip online at http://p3tips.com or use the P3 app on a mobile device.
NEWS RELEASE: The Henry County Sheriff’s Office has concluded an undercover narcotics operation. Pharmaceutical pills, along with quantities of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, were seized during the operation. Assets connected to the distribution and trafficking of narcotics were also seized during this operation. These seizures include vehicles and U.S. Currency.
As a result of the drug operation, a Henry County Grand Jury issued indictments on November 16, 2020. This operation resulted in 176 felony charges being issued on 79 adults. Many of these indicted have been previously charged and convicted of drug distribution in the past.
On November 19, 2020, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Virginia State Police, Martinsville Police Department, Henry County Department of Public Safety, United States Marshals Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration arrested 22 suspects. During the course of this arrest operation, additional narcotics were also seized. An additional 21 suspects since then have been arrested totaling 43 of the indicted individuals taken into custody.
The following agencies assisted in the investigations, Henry County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, Virginia State Police, Martinsville Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
On November 21, 2020 at approximately 8:30 p.m., Roanoke Police were dispatched to an aggravated assault in the 1100 block of Loudon Ave NW. Upon arrival, officers located a victim who suffered a single gunshot wound. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the victim to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of what seemed to be a non-life threatening injury. The investigation is ongoing at this time. If you have any information, please contact the Roanoke Police Department.
(from VSP) The Virginia State Police is investigating two crashes that occurred Friday night (Nov. 20) in Botetourt County. Shortly before 11:30 p.m., a domestic dispute began involving a couple and other family members in the City of Roanoke. The couple and family members left the scene and drove through Roanoke County and into Botetourt County where the vehicles stopped at the intersection of Read Mountain Road and Sanderson Drive in the community of Cloverdale. An altercation between the family members occurred at this location which involved shots being fired and the husband and wife leaving in separate vehicles.