Crime and Public Safety
(update 9pm Roanoke County PD spokesperson) Maintenance staff found a safe on the property and moved it. It appeared suspicious and they called Roanoke County Police. Virginia State Police bomb technicians were called in to assist. The safe was x-rayed and discovered to contain explosives. VSP took the explosives to disable and properly dispose of them. Apartment buildings were evacuated out of an abundance of caution. Police continue to investigate the origins of the safe. According to Roanoke Co. Police, maintenance staff found a safe at around 2 p.m. and identified something suspicious. They then called Virginia State Police bomb technicians to assist. The safe was x-rayed and was shown to include three sticks of dynamite and other IED explosives. Media reports say crews are currently working to neutralize the devices.
(previous Roanoke County police release) The Roanoke County Police Department is investigating a report of a suspicious device located at the Villages at Garst Creek. Out of an abundance of caution, some nearby apartment units are being evacuated. Virginia State Police and ATF have been notified and are en route. Additional information will be released when it’s available.
Roanoke City police are investigating a shots-fire incident that occurred just before 9pm last night in the 3900 block of Michigan Avenue. Upon arrival officers found an adult male with apparent non-life threatening injuries – also determining he had been involved. The man struck by gun fire – 19 year old Patrick Evans of Roanoke – reportedly started the altercation that led to the shooting. At least six charges are already pending and more may follow.(from Roanoke PD) On August 30, 2020 at around 8:45pm, Roanoke Police responded to the 3900 block of Michigan Avenue NW regarding several reports of shots fired. Officers located a vehicle with property damage from the shooting and began speaking with individuals who were on scene. A short time later, officers were notified that an adult male with what appeared to be a non-life threatening gunshot wound had arrived via personal transport to Lewis Gale Hospital. Officers determined that this individual was involved in the incident on Michigan Avenue. Preliminary investigation indicates that two individuals were involved in a verbal altercation that led to the shooting. The two individuals are known to one another. The man who was struck by gunfire was found to be the person who initiated the shooting — he has been identified as Patrick Evans, 19 of Roanoke. Evans was charged with two counts of attempted malicious wounding, shooting into an occupied vehicle, shooting into an occupied dwelling, shooting within city limits, and possession of a firearm while a protective order is in place. Other charges may be pending. The investigation is ongoing.
Its future is uncertain, but a bill introduced by State Senator David Suetterlein that would make Virginia Parole Board votes more public is still advancing through the General Assembly. The bill was prompted by a recent parole board decision to release a man serving a life sentence for killing a Richmond Police Officer. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
From Franklin County Sheriff’s Office –On Saturday, August 29th, 2020 a group of trustee inmates were attending a program on the Sheriff’s Office complex. Upon the completion of the program, the group was returning to the jail facility when inmate Curtis Eugene Sparks fled the group on foot.Law enforcement began immediate and continued searches of the area, including the use of dronesand scene detection canines. Searches continued throughout the night and into Sunday.On Sunday, August 30th, 2020 at approximately 6:00pm, Curtis Sparks was located in the area of Power Dam Road in Franklin County. He was taken into custody without incident and has been charged with Felony Escape. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office wants to extend a thank you to the following agencies for their assistance and support throughout this incident: US Marshals, Virginia State Police, Rocky Mount Police Department, and Franklin County Public Safety. The collaboration with these agencies ensured a quick and safe conclusion.
Previous: This case is still active and ongoing for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the US Marshals, Rocky Mount Police Department and Virginia State Police. It is still requested that the public keep an eye out and report any suspicious activity or possible sighting of Sparks to law enforcement immediately.
(August 29th, 2020) –On Saturday, August 29 a group of trustee inmates were attending a program on the Sheriff’s Office complex. Upon the completion of the program, the group was returning to the jail facility when inmate Curtis Eugene Sparks fled the group on foot. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Rocky Mount Police Department began an immediate search of the area, including the use of drones and scent detection canines, but have been unable to locate Sparks. Sparks is serving a sentence as a non-violent offender and is known to frequent Henry County and Botetourt County. He is a white male approximately 6ft tall, 170lbs, blue eyes, brown hair, and is last known to be wearing a white shirt and blue pants.The subject has tattoos on both arms and his neck.This is an active, ongoing investigation. If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Curtis Sparks, immediately contact local law enforcement or the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 540-483-3000
RoCo Fire and Rescue FB photos
(Roanoke County, VA—August 30, 2020)At 12:37 a.m. on August 30 units from Stations 3 (Cave Spring), 7 (Clearbrook) and 11 (Back Creek) responded for the report of a commercial structure fire in the 3500 block of Sunchase Lane in the Sunscape Apartments. First arriving crews did find smoke and flames and marked it a working fire. One person was injured while attempting to gain access to a fire extinguisher. That patient was treated on scene and refused transport to a local hospital. The fire was marked under control in approximately 22 minutes. The fire appears to have started on an outdoor balcony. Most of the fire damage was contained to the exterior of the structure. No one was displaced because of this fire. The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office has now determined that this fire was accidental but the cause remains undetermined. The estimated damages are $50,000.
(VSP news release) Virginia State Police Trooper T.M. Wertz is investigating a single vehicle crash which resulted in a fatality. The crash occurred on Saturday, (Aug 29) between 4 a.m. and 6:55 a.m. on Route 501, one quarter of a mile south of Route 672 in Bedford County. A 2002 Mercury Mountaineer was traveling south on Route 501 when the vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway, overcorrected, crossed the roadway, struck the guardrail and overturned. The driver was identified as Artiom Alexander Easterbrook, 30, of Lynchburg, Va. Mr. Easterbrook was wearing his seatbelt and died at the scene.
The Virginia Dept. of Health reported 118,809 total confirmed or probable cases of coronavirus as of this morning (113,623 confirmed). That’s an increase of 1217 from the Friday morning report. To date there have been 1186 cases in the Roanoke City health district, 589 cases in Roanoke County, 209 in Salem and 246 in Botetourt County.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia House of Delegates advanced legislation Friday that would require cities and counties across the state to establish civilian review boards with the authority to investigate citizen complaints and take disciplinary action against police officers.
The bill sponsored by House Majority Leader Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, sets a deadline of July 1, 2021, for localities to set up the review boards, which have become one of the leading police reforms pushed by protesters across the country since the May 25 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
During Friday’s debate, Republican Del. Tony Wilt proposed an amendment to the bill to require anyone appointed to serve on a civilian review board to observe a law enforcement officer for at least 24 hours, including going on a ride-along with police.
That amendment was defeated after Herring said it should be up to each locality to decide what kind of training board members receive. The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police opposes the bill, saying it should be left up to individual cities and counties to decide if they want to set up civilian review boards.
Roanoke City’s Gun Violence Task Force is still formulating a game plan. Meanwhile City Council’s representative – Vice Mayor Joe Cobb weighs in, on WFIR’s new “In Depth” series. Here’s WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
PREVIOUS: Roanoke County police responded this morning to a juvenile call regarding a student refusing to wear a mask on a school bus traveling on Garst Mill Road. Emergency dispatchers say the autistic student was reportedly lashing out at the school bus monitor. No other details are yet available.
A school system spokesperson says in a statement, “This is a police matter so we would not be in a position to offer further [comments at] this time.” We are seeking further information from Roanoke County Police.
Check back for updates.