Crime and Public Safety
Photo: FCSO
Photo: FCSO
UPDATED NEWS RELEASE: April 1st, 2021 –The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has named two persons of interest in [this] case. Jessica Blair Hiner, 35 years of age and Maurice Allen Jones, 37 years of age, both from Roanoke, have been named as persons of interest in this case. Both Hiner and Jones were recently incarcerated on unrelated charges and remain in custody at this time. The victim’s vehicle, a 2011 White Dodge Durango, was located unoccupied in Roanoke City, Virginia on March 29, 2021.If anyone has any information that associates either person of interest with this vehicle or the victim, please contact Inv. Willoughby at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 540-483-6615.
PREVIOUS: Boones Mill, VA. (March 30, 2021) -The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at approximately 1:15pm on March 29th, 2021 from a landlord reporting that his tenant was deceased in his home. Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 6000 block of Bethlehem Road in Boones Mill, Virginia and confirmed one male, deceased on arrival. The victim has been identified as William Kirk Odell, 58 years old, who had been reported as missing in West Virginia by a family member. Circumstances surrounding his death are considered suspicious but there is no threat to the community. This remains an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information that may apply to this incident are urged to contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 540-483-3000.
(from Roanoke PD) On March 31, 2021 at approximately 10:45 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified that a person with gunshot wounds had arrived via personal transport at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Officers responded to the hospital to speak with the victim, an adult male. He had what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries. Detectives are still working to determine where the incident occurred. No arrests have been made regarding this incident at this time. 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: Boones Mill, VA. (March 30, 2021) -The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at approximately 1:15pm on March 29th, 2021 from a landlord reporting that his tenant was deceased in his home. Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 6000 block of Bethlehem Road in Boones Mill, Virginia and confirmed one male, deceased on arrival. The victim has been identified as William Kirk Odell, 58 years old, who had been reported as missing in West Virginia by a family member. Circumstances surrounding his death are considered suspicious but there is no threat to the community. This remain san ongoing investigation. Anyone with information that may apply to this incident are urged to contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 540-483-3000.
Peer Support Team Roanoke Fire-EMS FB photo
Firefighters and EMS technicians that save lives and provide immediate aid to the sick or injured are often thought of as a rare, “tough breed.” But in Roanoke City, they’ve also been seeking help mental health support when its needed. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has this report, “In Depth.”
MGN
NEWS RELEASE: Roanoke Police have arrested Aariqua Austin, 23 of Roanoke, and charged her with malicious wounding regarding the shooting that occurred in the 500 block of Madison Avenue NW on March 28, 2021. Ms. Austin was identified as a suspect throughout the course of the investigation. Detectives determined that she and the victim are known to one another. Ms. Austin came to the Roanoke Police Department on March 30, 2021 where the warrant was served without incident.
PREVIOUS: On March 28, 2021 at approximately 11:40 a.m., Roanoke Police were notified of a person with a gunshot wound in the 500 block of Madison Avenue NW. Responding officers located an adult male with what appeared to be serious injuries from multiple gunshot wounds. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. No suspects were located on scene, and no arrests have been made at this time. Detectives are working to gather more information about what led up to the shooting. 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.
MGN
The Salem Fire & EMS Department responded to a structure fire at 512 Front Avenue Monday evening at approximately 6:31 p.m. All residents who were inside the duplex style home were able to escape, but one person suffered a non-life-threatening burn injury and a family dog died in the fire. The first unit arrived within four minutes of receiving the call and found heavy smoke and fire coming from the second floor .It took firefighters just over an hour to contain the blaze, and the home sustained heavy fire and water damage. Approximately 23 personnel from the Salem Fire & EMS Department(Truck 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Medic 801, Medic 802, Medic 803, & Medic 804, Fire Medic 1, Battalion 1, Fire Marshal 2), and the Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department (Wagon 3) assisted with incident. The Salem Fire Marshal’s Office has determined the incident was accidental in nature, caused by an electrical problem. The damage has been estimated at $100,000and the displaced victims are being assisted by family members.
On I-81 NB at mile marker 138 expect delays due to an earlier tractor trailer crash. All Northbound lanes are still closed. Traffic backups are now about 5.0 miles says VDOT. Northbound traffic is being diverted off I-81 at Exit 137. There is also three miles of southbound congestion in the same area from all the rubberneckers.
(From Roanoke PD) On March 29 at approximately 12:15 a.m., Roanoke Police were dispatched to reports of shots fired in the 1400 block of Chapman Avenue SW. While en route, officers were advised that there was a person down in the immediate area who may have been shot. Responding officers located an adult male with what appeared to be a serious gunshot wound. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. No other individuals were located on scene. Details about what led up to the shooting are limited at this time, but Detectives have determined that this is an isolated incident. At this point, no charges have been filed and no arrests have been made. 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.
The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office has identified multiple suspects involved in several incidents in the Huddleston area. Rebecca Bailey was arrested on 3-29-2021 for Forgery and Uttering, larceny of credit cards, and obtain money by false pretense. Angela Tuck was arrested on 3-26-2021 for forgery and uttering. Marvin Layne was arrested on 3-29-2021 for grand larceny. Eugene “Tommy” Little is currently wanted for forgery and uttering. All this information was developed as the Sheriff’s Office was conducting an investigation into the recent larcenies from mailboxes in the Huddleston and Body Camp area. The investigation is still on-going and further charges may be forth-coming.