Crime and Public Safety
(UPDATE) The victims have now been identified as Jacob Sallah, 42 of Roanoke and Travis Turnage, 37 of Franklin County
Roanoke Police say two men were shot to death late last night at a home in northwest Roanoke. Officers say in happened on Hanover Avenue, just off Orange near Addison Middle school. Police arrested 30-year-old Dominic Townes of Roanoke this morning and changed him with two counts of second degree murder. The victims’ names have not yet been released.
From Roanoke City Police: On October 30, 2018 at around 10:30 p.m., Roanoke Police responded to a report of two subjects shot in the 600 block of Hanover Ave NW. Upon arrival, officers located two adult males inside the residence deceased from gunshot wounds. The identities of the victims are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. At around 8 a.m., officers located the suspect Dominic S. Townes, 30 of Roanoke, in the 1000 block of Hunt Ave NW. Townes was arrested and taken into custody without incident. He is charged with two counts of Second Degree Murder. This investigation is ongoing.
Safety should be first in mind for Trick or Treaters tomorrow night. WFIR’s Bob Clark Reports.
Roanoke County Police are warning people not to cross the line with Halloween costumes tomorrow. WFIR’s Ian Price has more:
From Virginia State Police: ROCKBRIDGE CO., Va. – Virginia State Police Senior Trooper R.E. Tackett is investigating a juvenile pedestrian that was struck while in the roadway. The crash occurred Saturday (Oct 27) at 2:25 p.m. in the 3000 block of Midland Trail (Route 60) in Rockbridge County.
The pedestrian was attempting a pet, when the juvenile entered the roadway and was struck by a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu traveling east on West Midland Trail.
The female juvenile was identified as JennaRae Goodbar, 12, of Lexington, Va. Ms. Goodbar was chasing the family dog when she entered the roadway and was struck by the vehicle. Ms. Goodbar died at the scene.
The Virginia State Police Crash Reconstruction Team was called to assist with the crash.
The crash remains under investigation.
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UPDATE Friday from Roanoke County Police: The suspect in Thursday’s incident on Elbert Drive is identified as Earl Maston Pugh, III. He is 37 years old and resided at the residence in the 1800 block of Elbert Drive. The search warrant being executed by officers was for violation of probation out of Chesapeake, VA. Following yesterday’s incident, he has been charged with obstruction of justice.
PREVIOUS: As of 4:00pm the barricaded subject has been taken into custody by police. The area is now clear of police ans SWAT units.
PREVIOUS: Roanoke County Officers attempting to serve an arrest warrant in the 1800 block of Elbert Drive came into contact this afternoon with a man who refused to come out of the residence and then barricaded himself inside a home. Additional police units as well as SWAT are currently on scene attempting to negotiate with the subject. Elbert Drive is just off Sugar Loaf Mountain Road in the Oak Grove area of southwest Roanoke County.
News release 3:15 pm: On today’s date, 10-25-18, Roanoke County Officers attempted to serve an arrest warrant in the 1800 block of Elbert Dr. Upon initial contact with the subject he refused to come out of the residence and then barricaded himself inside a home. Additional police units as well as SWAT are currently on scene attempting to negotiate with the subject.
Check back for updates.
Roanoke Police are asking for help identifying and finding the man who stabbed two others last night at Market Square downtown. Police say both victims are hospitalized in stable condition. Police say the stabbings followed an argument.
From Roanoke City Police: At around 7 p.m. on October 25, 2018, Roanoke Police responded to a stabbing at Market Square in Downtown Roanoke. Upon arrival, officers located two adult males with stab wounds. Both were transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital by Roanoke Fire-EMS. They are listed in stable condition at this time. The investigation shows a verbal altercation between the suspect and victims led to the stabbing. Roanoke Police are asking for your help locating the suspect, who is described as a thin adult male around 5’5″ to 5’8″ with facial hair. He was wearing jeans and a camouflage jacket at the time of the incident. If you have any information on the identity of this individual or know his location, you’re asked to call us at (540)334-8500 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.
Photo: Blacksburg Police
UPDATE: Blacksburg Police have identified the man who they say held up a bank yesterday, but at last word, they had not yet found him. Police say 35-year-old Edward Tolley of Blacksburg should be considered armed and dangerous. He allegedly walked into the First Community Bank, demanded money and got it. No word on how much was taken.
PREVIOUS: Blacksburg Police are asking for help identifying a man they believe is responsible for robbing a bank on South Main Street. The suspect allegedly held-up First Community Bank yesterday afternoon. Police say no weapon was displayed and he left the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash. The image shows what appears to be a white man wearing a gray hoodie and sunglasses. You can see the photo on our web and social media sites.
News release 10/25/2018: The Blacksburg Police Department is asking for help to identify the below-pictured subject as part of an ongoing investigation. The subject is described as a white male, wearing a gray hoodie and sunglasses at the time of the incident. Anyone who may be able to identify the subject is asked to contact the Blacksburg Police Department at 540-443-1400 or anonymously at 540-443-1423 or by email at CIU@blacksburg.gov. No further details will be provided at this time.
Photo: OD Security
Inmates entering the Western Virginia Regional Jail must first pass through a new full-body scanner, and jail officials say it can see what pat-downs and strip searches might not. The scanner uses low doses of x-rays that provides the jail a full-body scan without the need to remove any clothes. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
Roanoke County Police have released new information on Tuesday night’s shootings along Eden Avenue in the Starkey area. Officials say a man shot two neighbors, a husband and wife, killing the husband and wounding the wife before fatally shooting himself. Police identify the dead as the gunman, 58-year-old Harry Overstreet, and his neighbor, 66-year-old Russell Edghill, whose 60-year-old wife Lynda was hospitalized. Investigators are still probing the circumstances, but they say police have received numerous calls from the homes in recent years in disputes over dogs barking or running at large.
From Roanoke County Police: On October 16, 2018 at approximately 7:39 p.m. Roanoke County Police officers responded to the 5200 block of
Experts say the MS-13 gang has been around Virginia for a quarter century, but its spread outside major urban centers has been more recent — although not entirely successful. Some members have moved in recent years to smaller population centers in search of work, but with more police training and communication, law enforcement has been able to better contain the gang’s growth and activities in less populated areas. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story: