Crime and Public Safety
Photo: Roanoke City Jail
UPDATED NEWS RELEASE: Roanoke Police have arrested Brent Dinkins, 21 of Roanoke, in connection with this incident. He is charged with malicious wounding.
PREVIOUS: On September 22, 2020 at around 6:30pm, Roanoke Police were notified that an adult male with a gunshot wound had arrived at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital via personal vehicle. Officers responded to the hospital to speak with the victim. There is no immediate information about the victim’s condition. Preliminary investigation indicates the incident occurred on I-581 southbound between the Orange Avenue and Elm Avenue exits. The victim was driving a vehicle when the shooting occurred. No arrests have been made regarding this incident. This remains an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call (540)344-8500 and share what you know. You can also text us at 274637; please begin the text with “RoanokePD” to ensure it’s properly sent. Both calls and texts can remain anonymous.
NEWS RELEASE: On September 24, 2020 at around 11:30pm, Roanoke Police responded to calls about a person with a gunshot wound in the area of Kellogg Avenue and Rockland Avenue NW. Officers located an adult male with what appeared to be a serious gunshot wound outside of a residence in the 900 block of Rockland Avenue NW. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Officers were able to determine that the incident occurred in the 800 block of Hunt Avenue NW. At that address, they located property damage and other evidence consistent with a shooting. Further details on this investigation are limited. No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call (540)344-8500 and share what you know. You can also text us at 274637; please begin the text with “RoanokePD” to ensure it’s properly sent. Both calls and texts can remain anonymous.
After 33 years with the department and 7 years as Roanoke City Sheriff Tim Allen says he will not run again and instead will retire on January 8, 2021. Allen said in a statement he feels it is “time to move on to the next chapter of my life.” Chief Deputy Major David Bell will assume the role of Sheriff in January. Tim Allen says public safety has afforded him “a variety of challenges and a great deal of triumphs.” A number of inmate suicides and a recent COVID-19 outbreak at the city jail were among those challenges.
Floyd County Sheriff’s Department FB photo
(from Floyd County Sheriff’s Department) URGENT REQUEST: Please help the FCSO find a missing man, Turner Quesenberry. Mr. Quesenberry is a white male approximately 70 years old. He was last seen around 2pm on 09-20-20 wearing black jeans, blue/ grey pullover and possibly a ball cap. He left on foot near Indian Valley Post Office Road in Floyd County, but near the Carroll County border. Mr. Quesenberry has a history of medical concerns and struggles communicating verbally. If seen please contact the FCSO at 540-745-9334.
Roanoke Fire-EMS FB photo
(from Roanoke Fire-EMS) Around 8:00pm [Saturday], Roanoke Fire-EMS was dispatched to the 5100 block of Williamson Rd NW for a vehicle into a building. No injuries were reported. Personnel are currently on scene working to stabilize the structure so the vehicle can be removed safely.
From the Henry County Sheriff’s Office: The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a robbery that occurred on September 17, 2020 at 8:00pm at the Meadow Green Market, located at 9531 Virginia Ave., Bassett, Virginia. An unknown male subject entered the store and appeared as though he wanted make a purchase. When the male subject approached the counter he pointed a handgun at the cashier, demanding money. The clerk gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of U.S. Currency from the register drawer. The suspect was wearing a black pull-over hoodie, blue jeans, black tennis shoes, a blue face mask, dark colored gloves and a curly red hair wig. He is described as a white male, being 5’9” – 5’11” tall and weighing approximately 150 – 180 pounds. After taking an undisclosed amount of U.S. Currency the suspect fled the store on foot running towards Virginia Ave.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the individual involved in this robbery. Anyone having information regarding the identity and whereabouts of this individual is asked to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 276-638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463). The Crimestoppers Program offers rewards up to $2500.00 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information determine the amount of reward paid.
NEWS RELEASE: On September 17, 2020 Roanoke Police arrested Jason Dickerson and charged him with first degree murder and arson for the 2017 homicide of Lawrence Crowe.
Lawrence Crowe was found dead at his apartment in the 2000 block of Brandon Avenue SW on April 3, 2017. Throughout the course of the investigation, Jason Dickerson, 42 of Roanoke, was identified as the offender. On September 8, 2020 at the Roanoke City Grand Jury, indictments for first degree murder and arson were obtained for Dickerson. Those indictments were served at a residence in the 900 block of Hartsook Blvd SE and Dickerson was taken into custody without incident.
The Roanoke Police Department commends the dedication of the detectives assigned to this case, and thanks every officer who played a part in this arrest for their hard work. We’d also like to thank the City of Roanoke Fire Marshal’s Office for assisting us with the arson investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force for assisting us with serving the indictments.
Photo: RoCo Fire & Rescue
(Update 12:15pm) The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office has concluded that the structure fire on Electric Road this morning was accidental in nature, with the cause due to a mechanical/maintenance issue with the AC/Heat pump furnace. Estimated damages $15,000
A fire this morning at the Copper Croft apartments across from Tanglewood Mall. Roanoke County Fire and Rescue got the call just before 8:00. They found smoke coming from a second floor apartment and brought the fire under control in about 30 minutes. Two adults and a child were evacuated safely and were displaced. One person was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.
NEWS RELEASE: Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded at about 7:50 a.m., on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 to the 4300 block of Electric Road, which is located in the Cave Spring area, for the report of a commercial structure fire at Copper Croft Apartments. First arriving crews from Station 3 (Cave Spring) found light smoke showing from the inside of a second-floor apartment. The fire was brought under control in about thirty minutes.One subject was treated on scene for smoke inhalation but refused transport to a local hospital. The apartment was occupied by two adults and one child who all evacuated safely. They will be displaced and assisted by Copper Croft management. No other apartments were displaced. The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office is on scene to investigate a cause and estimate damages.
NEWS RELEASE: On September 15, 2020 at around 1:00am, Roanoke Police responded to reports of a shooting in the 2100 block of Delaware Avenue NW. Responding officers spoke with people on scene and located evidence of a shooting. A short time later, an adult male advised officers he was injured during the incident. The man was indirectly struck by gunfire, did not want medical assistance and refused transport. The victim did not wish to cooperate further with the investigation. All parties involved are known to one another. No one has been arrested regarding this incident. The investigation is ongoing.
UPDATED NEWS RELEASE: The victim of this incident has passed away from his injuries. He has been identified as Dontae Taylor, 22 of Roanoke. This incident is now being investigated as a homicide. No arrests have been made at this time. This remains an ongoing investigation. No further updates are available at this time.
PREVIOUS: On September 11, 2020 at around 3:20pm, Roanoke Police were dispatched to the 2000 block of Indian Village Lane SE in reference to a person with a gunshot wound. Responding officers located an adult male with a gunshot wound. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of what appeared to be serious injuries. Details surrounding this incident are limited. No arrests have been made at this time. This is an ongoing investigation. There is no longer an active perimeter around the scene. We do not believe there is an immediate threat to the community regarding this incident.