Crime and Public Safety
Suspects have been detained in connection to the murder of Roanoke cardiologist, Dr. Gary Swank, and his tour guide Mario Graniel in Belize. News 5 Belize says among the people taken into custody was a female who reportedly played a key role in the murders of Swank and Graniel in a lagoon near San Pedro on Sunday morning. Authorities believe Graniel was the target, while Swank was “collateral damage.”
(from Carilion Clinic) today we learned the tragic news that Dr. Gary Swank, interventional cardiologist, medical director of Carilion Clinic’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab and an associate professor of internal medicine at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, was found murdered, along with his local tour guide, in Belize yesterday. We are heartbroken at his loss. Dr. Swank was a well-respected and well-loved colleague who, each and every day, embodied the values that we hold dear. His absence leaves a void in our team and in our community. Our thoughts, prayers and attention are now focused on helping his family navigate this difficult time.
James Fields, Jr.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The self-avowed white supremacist who plowed his car into counterdemonstrators opposing a white nationalist rally in Virginia two years ago, killing one person and injuring dozens, has asked a judge for mercy and a sentence shorter than life in prison.
There are now two people under arrest after a homicide in Rocky Mount in over. 26 year old Tony Bruce was found on Bland Street last night with a gunshot wound; efforts to revive him at a hospital were unsuccessful. After a forensics investigation and witness interviews two suspects were arrested in Henry County this morning. Rocky Mount police believe the unidentified suspects and the shooting victim knew each other.
Photo: VSP
State Police are looking for a 71-year-old man who they say eluded troopers during two recent high-speed chases. Willie Elmore is believed to be living somewhere in Pittsylvania or Halifax Counties. Police say both pursuits were discontinued because of the danger his erratic driving posed to other drivers. Elmore is also wanted on warrants from Danville.
NEWS RELEASE: PITTSYVANIA, Va. – The Virginia State Police are asking for the public’s assistance with any information regarding the location of Willie Junnie Elmore, 71 years of age. Elmore is believed to be residing in Pittsylvania County or Halifax County, VA. Elmore is wanted on multiple charges resulting from two high speed chases by the Virginia State Police and the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, which were both discontinued do to the danger posed to the public by Elmore’s erratic driving. Elmore is also wanted by The City of Danville Police Department for Felony Shoplifting, (3rd offense) and Felony Failure to Appear. Elmore is known to drive a black 2001, two door Dodge Ram pickup truck, displaying VA tag number UUL-8175 and is known to frequent the City of Danville. Elmore does not have a driver’s license and does not pose a danger to the public unless he is driving a vehicle. If you have any information regarding Elmore, please contact the Virginia State Police, Area 43 office, in Chatham, VA. Phone # (434)432-7287, or #77. You may also contact the Pittsylvania Sheriff’s or Danville Police Department.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – A new report says the number of homicides dropped 14% in Virginia in 2018.The “Crime in Virginia” report released Friday by state police says violent crime overall decreased 2% last year. That category includes murder, forcible sex offenses, robbery and aggravated assault.The number of reported homicides decreased from 455 to 391.Hate crimes dropped by about 20%, to 161, in 2018. More than half were racially or ethnically motivated, while bias against victims’ religion and sexual orientation were the next highest.Motor vehicle thefts and attempted thefts increased 2.4%, with nearly 10,500 vehicles stolen in 2018.Drug and narcotic arrests increased by 3%.
From Virginia State Police: BUENA VISTA, Va. – The Buena Vista Police Department expanded its search efforts Saturday (June 15) for a missing 30-year-old resident. With the assistance of the Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and Amherst County Sheriff’s Office, an extensive search is underway near the Panther Falls area along Route 60 in Amherst County. Buena Vista Police also hope to hear from anyone who may have been passing through the Panther Falls area over the Memorial Day weekend and may recall having seen Chad H. Austin or his vehicle, a silver 2006 Hyundai Tiburon.
Mr. Austin was last seen this past Memorial Day (May 29) by campers in the Panther Falls area, east of the Blue Ridge Parkway. He was wearing a gray tank top with long shorts below the knees, possibly beige in color.
Mr. Austin was reported missing after his silver Hyundai Tiburon was found around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday (May 28, 2019) on Panther Falls Road in the Shady Mountain/Pedlar River area of Amherst County. The car was found abandoned about 2 miles down the turnoff for Panther Falls Road. His beloved, mixed-breed companion, a dog named Gunner, was locked inside the car.
“This is extremely unusual for Chad to have gone this long without communicating with his family or close friends,” said Buena Vista Police Chief Richard Hartman. “It’s also very out-of-character for Chad to have left Gunner behind and put at risk by being left inside a locked vehicle. Chad’s family says the two have been inseparable since Chad got him as a puppy and would never willingly let any harm come of him or to any animal, for that matter.”
A search of the immediate area resulted in several keys and other personal items belonging to Mr. Austin being found about a ½ mile from the abandoned car.
“Chad was well-known among the hiking community in this region and along the Appalachian Trail for his charitable goodwill, as he would often help with rides and food, and help folks find places to stay,” said Chief Hartman. “We are asking anyone who may recall seeing Chad, his car or even his dog, Gunner, at any time over the Memorial Day weekend to please contact us. No detail is too minor as it may be the very information we need to bring him safely home to his family.”
Austin is 6 feet in height and weighs between 150 to 170 lbs. He has brown eyes and brown hair. His dog, Gunner, is now being cared for by Mr. Austin’s family.
Anyone with information about Mr. Austin is encouraged to call the Buena Vista Police Department at 540-261-6171 or the Virginia State Police at #77 on a cell phone or dial 911.
From Roanoke Police: On June 15, 2019 at about 10:16 pm, Roanoke Police responded to a residence in the 300 block 9th Street SE regarding a stabbing. On officers arrival they located an adult male inside a residence with stab wounds. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the male to Carilion Roanoke Memorial hospital for treatment. Officers were able to determine that the suspect, identified as Carl Davis age 43 of Roanoke forced his way into the residence and assaulted the victim. Davis was located in a nearby residence and was arrested and charged with Malicious Wounding and Burglary. Detectives are still investigating this incident.