Crime and Public Safety
UPDATE from State Police: At the request of the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office theVirginia State Police is investigating a motor vehicle crash which involved an officer involved shooting. The crash and shooting occurred following a pursuit on Sunday (Aug 12) at approximately 11:18 a.m. on Route 29 near Spencer Mountain Road.
Amherst County Sheriff’s Office received a lookout for a 2014 maroon Nissan Altima which may be traveling on Route 29, which was a suspect vehicle in a shooting in Nelson County. A vehicle matching the description was spotted traveling south on Route 29 in Amherst County. The Sheriff’s Deputy attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle. After the Deputy activated his emergency equipment the Nissan fled continuing south at a high rate of speed on Route 29. As the Nissan approached Spencer Mountain Road, the vehicle ran off the left side of the roadway, lost control and crashed.
As the deputies exited their vehicles, the driver of the Nissan opened fire with a handgun from inside the Nissan striking one of the responding deputies. Deputies returned gunfire striking the suspect.
The suspect was identified as Anthony Makai Hutchinson, 40, of Waynesboro, Va. Hutchinson died at the scene.
One Amherst County Deputy received a non-life threatening gunshot wound in the exchange. Continue reading
State Police say a Roanoke man with “an extensive criminal history” is in custody after attempting to flee a traffic stop on foot today in Blacksburg. Troopers say they pulled over 29-year-old Richard Shelor for an expired inspection sticker, at which point he ran off into a nearby cornfield. Police later found him with help of K-9 units. Officials say Shelor also has an extensive driving history and was at the wheel today while his license was revoked.
From State Police: BLACKSBURG, Va. – At 1:29 p.m. this afternoon, (Aug 10) Senior Trooper Blevins attempted to stop a 1989 Honda Prelude for an expired inspection sticker while the vehicle was traveling on Plantation Road in Blacksburg. The Honda fled as the trooper approached the vehicle on foot after the stop. After a short vehicle pursuit, the driver exited the vehicle and ran into an adjacent corn field. The passenger was detained at the scene. Troopers with the Virginia State Police as well as Officers with Blacksburg Police Department, Virginia Tech Police Department and Christiansburg Police Department tracked and arrested the driver with the use of K-9’s. The driver was identified as Richard Wayne Shelor, 29, of Roanoke, VA. Shelor has an extensive felony criminal history, as well as an extensive driving history and was driving while revoked. Charges are pending for both Shelor and Hale at this time. The investigation remains ongoing. No officers or the suspects were injured during the pursuit.
WASHINGTON (AP) – Government and police officials in the nation’s capital say they are confident the city can manage this weekend’s planned white nationalist rally without violence. The Unite the Right 2 rally will take place Sunday afternoon in Lafayette Park in front of the White House. One year ago, the first Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia devolved into chaos and violence resulting in the death of a counter-protester. At least two counter-rallies are planned for the same park, with police vowing to keep the two sides separate. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser says her city is experienced at peacefully handling all sort of protests and police have promised a total lockdown. President Donald Trump will not be in town.
Derrill Ennis
Lori Ann Slesinski
A man arrested in Montgomery County is charged with the murder of an Auburn, Alabama woman 12 years go. Federal, state and local law enforcement personnel arrested 38-year-old Derrill Ennis Monday in the Pilot area. Lori Ann Slesinski disappeared in June of 2006; her burning car was discovered one day later, but her body was ever found. News reports from Lee County, Alabama, state Ennis faces two counts of capital murder. Those reports indicate Ennis and Slesinski were acquaintances, and after police questioned him about the case, he moved away from the Auburn area short time later. The recent work of a cold case unit led to indictments last Thursday, and Ennis was arrested four days later.
STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE: On August 6, 2018, as a result of an ongoing investigation by the Virginia State Police, Derrill Richard Ennis was arrested at approximately 2:00 p.m. in the 4800 block of Fishers View Road in the Pilot area of Montgomery County. Mr. Ennis was wanted for a homicide, which occurred in Lee County, Alabama. Ennis was taken into custody without incident after a coordinated multi-agency effort, which included the United States Marshall Service, 4th and 6th Division Virginia State Police, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office; along with Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Radford City Police Departments respectively. Ennis is currently being held in the Montgomery County Jail with no bond, on a Fugitive from Justice Warrant, while awaiting extradition back to Alabama, where he will face two charges related to the homicide. Additional questions regarding this incident should be directed to the Lee County Alabama District Attorney’s Office at 334-737-3446.
UPDATE: State Police say the man shot by Roanoke Police last week is now indicted on charges that include assaulting an officer. Police were called last Wednesday to the three thousand block of Cove Road Northwest for a domestic disorder, where officials say 33-year-old James Kasey Junior assaulted one of the officers as police tried to arrest him. Kasey is currently jailed without bond.
FROM STATE POLICE: On August 6, 2018, the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation presented the facts to the Grand Jury in the City of Roanoke, involving the officer-involved shooting which occurred on August 1, 2018. The Grand Jury returned a true bill; Charging James Wesley Kasey Jr. with two counts of Assault and Battery of Law Enforcement and two counts of Attempt to Disarm a Police Officer. Kasey was served at the Roanoke City Jail where he was being held on Abduction and Domestic Assault charges. Kasey was held with no bond.
Previously: About 9 am this morning, Roanoke City Police responded to a residence in the 3000 Block of Cove Road Northwest regarding a “domestic disorder”. At some point, a physical altercation with an adult male began. During that scuffle, one of the officers discharged their firearm says a department spokesperson, striking that male, who was then transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. Virginia State Police will investigate – per a Roanoke Police Department policy instituted last year.
From Roanoke Police: On August 1, 2018 at about 9 am, Roanoke Police responded to a residence in the 3000 Block of Cove Road NW regarding a domestic disorder call. Officers arrived on scene and began their investigation. At some point during their interaction, a physical altercation between the officers and an adult male began. During the altercation, one of the officers on scene discharged their firearm striking the male.
The male was transported by Roanoke Fire-EMS to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. Per Department policy, Virginia State Police will be investigating this incident.
During July and August there have been numerous thefts from vehicles here in Botetourt County. The suspect is breaking into vehicles during the nighttime in area neighborhoods. The suspect is stealing numerous items from the vehicles including pocket books and other valuables. The suspect is then using the stolen credit cards to make purchases at area stores. Please remember to lock your vehicles and be aware of your surroundings. The attached pictures are of the suspect using the stolen credit cards at area stores in Roanoke City. Anyone with information please call the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office 540-473-8230
State and local law enforcement have spent much of the day looking for a barefoot man who ran off from a traffic stop along I-81 in Montgomery County. State Police say it happened between the Elliston and Christiansburg exits. Tracking dogs are assisting officers and sheriff’s deputies in the search.
News release: State Police is looking for a wanted subject which ran from a traffic stop on Interstate 81 in the area of the 123.9 mile marker. The subject ran on foot toward Friendship Road. Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Christiansburg Police Department and Blacksburg Police Department are also assisting. VSP and Montgomery County K-9’s are tracking the subject at this time. The subject is a Hispanic male, which is wearing blue jeans and is barefoot.
The annual community event known as “National Night Out” brings together neighbors and the local police departments they usually encounter in less casual settings. It returns tomorrow night for a 35th year as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
JinJing Ma
UPDATED FRIDAY PM: A 12-year-old Chinese tourist has been found safe in New York a day after her tour group reported her missing from a Washington-area
airport. Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police said JinJing Ma was found Friday in the custody of her parents in Queens, New York. Authority police Chief David Huchler said at a news conference Friday that the girl excused herself to go to the bathroom Thursday after getting her passport at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. He said the girl met a woman, changed clothes and got into an SUV with New York tags. Huchler says a couple had earlier approached JinJing Ma while her tour group was at the World Trade Center. He says there appeared to be a link between that couple and the people she met at the airport.
PREVIOUS: A statewide Amber Alert has been issued for a 12-year-old girl from China abducted from Reagan National Airport while visiting the U.S. with a tour group. State police say JinJing Ma is believed to be in extreme danger.
AMBER ALERT: The Virginia State Police and the Virginia Missing Children Clearinghouse has issued an AMBER Alert on behalf of the Metro Washington Airport Authority, for a child abduction that occurred on August 2, 2018, Reagan Washington National Airport. The child is believed to be in extreme danger and was last seen leaving the airport on August 2, 2018. Abducted is JinJing Ma, Asian, Female, Black hair, Brown eyes, 12 years of age, 4 foot 11 inches tall, weighing 90 lbs. 12 year old Individual was in America from China on a tour group. She received her passport just prior to checking in and left her group. She met up with an unknown middle age Asian female, who assisted her in changing clothes. They then walked together to the arrivals area of the airport and disappeared out of camera view. The child is believed to have been abducted by an unknown Asian, Female, Black hair, approximately 40 years of age, wearing a black dress. A witness stated he may have seen same woman in NYC meet up with victim and hand her food. For further information contact the Metro Washington Airport Authority at 703-417-2400 or visit www.vaamberalert.com
As a southwest Virginia school system prepares to arm some teachers, the two major party candidates for Senate have differing viewpoints on the idea. Republican Corey Stewart says he is all for training selected teachers and staffers in Lee County schools to carry concealed weapons. Democrat Tim Kaine says he doesn’t think that is best way to ensure school safety, but he defers to Lee County to make this a local decision. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more: