Crime and Public Safety
Chief Sam Roman/G Marrano photos
Mayor Sherman Lea, police chief Sam Roman and the US Marshal’s office unveiled Operation Street Sweeper today atop Mill Mountain – a joint effort to reduce gun violence and other criminal activity that could be gang-related. Chief Roman said Street Sweeper led to 138 related arrests recently. That includes “realigning” police department resources to better address issues like gun violence said Roman – who also wanted to reassure Roanokers that they live in a “safe city.”
NEWS RELEASE: On September 30, 2020 at around noon, Roanoke Police were notified of a stabbing that occurred in the area of 20th Street and Mason Mill Road NE. Responding officers located an adult female with what appeared to be a non-life threatening stab wound. She was transported by Roanoke Fire-EMS to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. Details are limited. No arrests have been made at this time. 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.
Photo: NRVRJ
UPDATED NEWS RELEASE: Shortly after 12:30 p.m. Tuesday (Sept. 29), Virginia State Police were alerted to information related to the male suspect in Sunday night’s incident at a Grayson County church. With the assistance of the Town of Marion Police Department and Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, state police took Gregory D. Graham, 31, of Marion, Va., into custody without incident at his residence in the 300 block of Brushy Mountain Road. State police arrested Graham on one count of malicious wounding.
Photo: Roanoke City Jail
UPDATED NEWS RELEASE: Roanoke Police have arrested Brent Dinkins, 21 of Roanoke, in connection with this incident. He is charged with malicious wounding.
PREVIOUS: On September 22, 2020 at around 6:30pm, Roanoke Police were notified that an adult male with a gunshot wound had arrived at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital via personal vehicle. Officers responded to the hospital to speak with the victim. There is no immediate information about the victim’s condition. Preliminary investigation indicates the incident occurred on I-581 southbound between the Orange Avenue and Elm Avenue exits. The victim was driving a vehicle when the shooting occurred. No arrests have been made regarding this incident. 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: On September 24, 2020 at around 11:30pm, Roanoke Police responded to calls about a person with a gunshot wound in the area of Kellogg Avenue and Rockland Avenue NW. Officers located an adult male with what appeared to be a serious gunshot wound outside of a residence in the 900 block of Rockland Avenue NW. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Officers were able to determine that the incident occurred in the 800 block of Hunt Avenue NW. At that address, they located property damage and other evidence consistent with a shooting. Further details on this investigation are limited. No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation remains ongoing. 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.
After 33 years with the department and 7 years as Roanoke City Sheriff Tim Allen says he will not run again and instead will retire on January 8, 2021. Allen said in a statement he feels it is “time to move on to the next chapter of my life.” Chief Deputy Major David Bell will assume the role of Sheriff in January. Tim Allen says public safety has afforded him “a variety of challenges and a great deal of triumphs.” A number of inmate suicides and a recent COVID-19 outbreak at the city jail were among those challenges.
Floyd County Sheriff’s Department FB photo
(from Floyd County Sheriff’s Department) URGENT REQUEST: Please help the FCSO find a missing man, Turner Quesenberry. Mr. Quesenberry is a white male approximately 70 years old. He was last seen around 2pm on 09-20-20 wearing black jeans, blue/ grey pullover and possibly a ball cap. He left on foot near Indian Valley Post Office Road in Floyd County, but near the Carroll County border. Mr. Quesenberry has a history of medical concerns and struggles communicating verbally. If seen please contact the FCSO at 540-745-9334.
Roanoke Fire-EMS FB photo
(from Roanoke Fire-EMS) Around 8:00pm [Saturday], Roanoke Fire-EMS was dispatched to the 5100 block of Williamson Rd NW for a vehicle into a building. No injuries were reported. Personnel are currently on scene working to stabilize the structure so the vehicle can be removed safely.
From the Henry County Sheriff’s Office: The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a robbery that occurred on September 17, 2020 at 8:00pm at the Meadow Green Market, located at 9531 Virginia Ave., Bassett, Virginia. An unknown male subject entered the store and appeared as though he wanted make a purchase. When the male subject approached the counter he pointed a handgun at the cashier, demanding money. The clerk gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of U.S. Currency from the register drawer. The suspect was wearing a black pull-over hoodie, blue jeans, black tennis shoes, a blue face mask, dark colored gloves and a curly red hair wig. He is described as a white male, being 5’9” – 5’11” tall and weighing approximately 150 – 180 pounds. After taking an undisclosed amount of U.S. Currency the suspect fled the store on foot running towards Virginia Ave.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the individual involved in this robbery. Anyone having information regarding the identity and whereabouts of this individual is asked to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 276-638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463). The Crimestoppers Program offers rewards up to $2500.00 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information determine the amount of reward paid.
NEWS RELEASE: On September 17, 2020 Roanoke Police arrested Jason Dickerson and charged him with first degree murder and arson for the 2017 homicide of Lawrence Crowe.
Lawrence Crowe was found dead at his apartment in the 2000 block of Brandon Avenue SW on April 3, 2017. Throughout the course of the investigation, Jason Dickerson, 42 of Roanoke, was identified as the offender. On September 8, 2020 at the Roanoke City Grand Jury, indictments for first degree murder and arson were obtained for Dickerson. Those indictments were served at a residence in the 900 block of Hartsook Blvd SE and Dickerson was taken into custody without incident.
The Roanoke Police Department commends the dedication of the detectives assigned to this case, and thanks every officer who played a part in this arrest for their hard work. We’d also like to thank the City of Roanoke Fire Marshal’s Office for assisting us with the arson investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force for assisting us with serving the indictments.