Crime and Public Safety
Photo: BCSO
NEWS RELEASE: On August 7, 2019, at 1:56 pm Botetourt County Deputies were dispatch to Park Drive in the Blue Ridge area of Botetourt County. Deputies were responding to the location where a homeowner had returned home with his son and located a vehicle in his driveway that he was not familiar. He then located a subject inside of his garage where the homeowner and subject got into an altercation. The suspect got into the vehicle and as he was fleeing, swerved his vehicle striking the homeowner. At that time, the homeowner discharged a firearm at the vehicle’s tire. The suspect vehicle drove through an open field and fence and onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. Some of the Botetourt County Deputies diverted to the Blue Ridge Parkway. At 2:12pm, a Botetourt County Deputy located the vehicle described by the homeowner parked with a flat tire near mile marker 101 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Deputies and Parkway officers responded to the location. After clearing and securing the vehicle, the suspect was spotted in a wooded area near the vehicle and he was placed in custody without incident at 2:17pm.
The suspect is Ray Milton Sykes Jr. age 32 from Bassett VA. He is currently being held without bond at the Botetourt/ Craig County Regional Jail on charges of Breaking & Entering, Attempted Malicious Wounding, Hit and Run’ and Property Damage.
Roanoke Police say three people are under arrest after shots were fired from a northwest home into an occupied car in front. It happened around 2:00 am on the 28oo block of Clifton Street. There are no injuries reported. Charges include firearms and drug counts.
NEWS RELEASE: On August 7, 2019 just after 2:00 am, a Roanoke Police officer was in the area of Massachusetts Avenue NW when several shots were heard in the immediate area. The officer radioed for other units to respond, then began heading towards where he believed the shots originated. Officers located several people outside a residence in the 2800 block of Clifton Street NW. Preliminary investigation shows two individuals from the home on Clifton fired shots into an occupied car that was on the street in front of the home. No injuries have been reported at this time.
Roanoke Police arrested three individuals regarding this incident: Deandra Simon, 31 of Roanoke, was charged with Discharging Firearm in City Limits, Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana. Eric Simon, 31 of Roanoke, was charged with Possession of a Concealed Firearm, Discharging Firearm in City Limits, Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana. Joshua Carson, 27 of Roanoke, was charged with Possession of a Concealed Weapon.
This is 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.
RoCo police Chief Howard Hall with gun lock/ G Marrano photo
An event that was already scheduled before the weekend mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton to promote gun safety in the home drew extra attention this morning perhaps when local Police Chiefs gathered on Mill Mountain. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Photo: BCSO
The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help identifying a man in connection with thefts from vehicles and using stolen credit cards. The news release does not indicate when or where the incidents occurred, but officials released a store surveillance photo with a Monday time stamp.
NEWS RELEASE: Bedford County Sheriff’s Office needs help identifying the pictured individual related to thefts from vehicles and using stolen credit cards. Please contact Inv. C. A. Edmondson with the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office at 540-586-4800 ext. 4061 with any information.
Roanoke County police have apprehended several suspects in a series of vehicle break-ins. The arrest took place very early Saturday morning in the Buck Mountain Road area. After a brief car chase in what turned out to be a stolen car, 20 year old Tyrese Hairston and three male juveniles were detained – the driver of the car they were in got away on foot. County police say the suspects had broken into 38 vehicles in the Penn Forest and Buck Mountain Road areas – and had stolen at least one handgun. Police are still looking for the driver of that stolen Chevy Impala.
Photo: Angels of Assisi
Photo: Angels of Assisi
A cat that was found with an arrow shot through its mid-section is recovering at Angels of Assisi. Roanoke County Police say they got the call around midday to the 2500 block of Rutrough Road. The feline went through surgery and appears to be recovering okay. Police say there is known owner, and there are no suspects.
NEWS RELEASE: Roanoke County Police are investigating after a cat was found shot with an arrow in the 2500 block of Rutrough Road. The call was reported shortly after noon today. The officer on scene transported the cat to Angels of Assisi for treatment. The cat is now recovering from surgery. The cat is believed to be a stray. It was not microchipped and there is no known owner at this time. There are no suspects at this time. Police are conducting an investigation and there is no other information available. If anyone has information about this incident, please call Roanoke County Police at (540) 562-3265.