RPD Restricts, Reroutes Traffic for Dogwood Dell Fireworks

To keep both the increased numbers of pedestrians and drivers safe during the annual fireworks display at Dogwood Dell on Sunday, July 4^th, Richmond Police are urging citizens to make note of the below traffic detours, restrictions and suggestions.

The Boulevard will be closed to southbound traffic at West Cary Street starting at 7 p.m.

Westover Hills Boulevard will be closed at Forest Hill Avenue to northbound traffic beginning at 7 p.m. The detour is west on Forest Hill Avenue to the Powhite Parkway or east on Forest Hill Avenue to the Lee Bridge.

Douglasdale Road between McCloy and Blanton streets will be closed to vehicular traffic from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. The roadway will be used for shuttle buses only.

Shuttle Service is provided from the University of Richmond Stadium at McCloy Street and Douglasdale Road. Everyone is STRONGLY encouraged to use the shuttles before and after the fireworks display.

After the fireworks, all northbound traffic on the Boulevard will be detoured eastbound onto Interstate 195. If you are traveling east on 195, be aware that there is a .70-cent toll. The Boulevard northbound will reopen 30 minutes after the fireworks have ended.

REMEMBER: No parking will be allowed on grassy area, medians, bridges or roadways. “No Parking” signs will be posted in several areas, and will be strictly enforced. Vehicles will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.

Suspect Arrested in Shooting Earlier Today

Richmond Police made an arrest tonight in a shooting early this morning during a robbery on Rosetta Street.

Antonio Levon Roots, 36, of the 400 block of Labrook Drive, is charged with malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Roots was taken into custody by Richmond Police detectives shortly after 9 p.m. in the 2300 block of Phaup Street.

Roots was wanted in connection with the shooting of a man who was robbed of his wallet and cell phone around 2:45 a.m. Wednesday, June 23, as he sat in a vehicle in the 2500 block of Rosetta Street. The victim suffered life threatening injuries.

Richmond Police Major Crimes and Special Investigations detectives worked throughout the day to identify the shooting suspect and tracked him down to Phaup Street, making an arrest within 24 hours of the crime.

Armed Robber Sought

Richmond Police need the public’s help in identifying and finding the person in the three pictures below.

He is wanted in connection with the armed robbery of a man and a woman just before 1 a.m. on Friday, June 18, in the 1700 block of East Franklin Street.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Suspect in Shooting Arrested

Richmond Police have arrested and charged a man in connection with the shooting today in Hillside Court.

Richmond Police arrested Marcellus D. Walters, 20, of the 1400 block of Drewry Street for the robbery and assault of a male in the 1800 block of Southlawn Avenue at approximately 7:40 a.m.

Walters was identified a short time later through the excellent cooperation of Department patrol officers, the Aviation and K-9 units, detectives and RRHA officers with information from the community.

The victim was taken to VCU Medical Center with injuries that are considered life threatening.

Walters has been charged with robbery, malicious wounding, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Arson Arrest

Yesterday at approximately 8:00 p.m., Richmond Police Department officers arrested a suspect wanted for two incidents of arson that occurred Friday, June 10.

Irvin W. Conway Jr., 51, of no fixed address, was arrested without incident in the 500 block of North Harrison Street. The quick arrest was due to excellent joint efforts among Department officers, the Richmond Fire Department and VCU Police.

Conway is suspected of breaking into apartments and starting fires at 1411 Grove Ave. and 1106 W. Franklin St.

Conway was identified as a suspect soon after the incidents occurred. He had been known to frequent the 900 block of West Clay Street where evidence linking him to the arsons was discovered.

RPD, RBHA Teach Crisis Intervention Training

Police officers are trained to know the law, how to enforce it and how to protect citizens and themselves.

But what do law enforcement authorities do when they encounter a suicidal individual threatening to jump off a bridge? Or even someone just acting unusually in their home? What do officers do?

That’s where Crisis Intervention Training comes in.

“During most of these types of incidents, a police officer will be the first person on scene. If they can de-escalate the situation without anyone getting hurt, it’s the best outcome for everyone,” said CIT Instructor and Community Care Sgt. Shane Waite.

Instructors from Richmond Police, the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority and other Virginia law enforcement agencies across the state will teach their colleagues during the week-long course, which includes information about:
· what mental illness is and how to better help individuals in crisis;
· role playing exercises later in the week; and
· information about legal issues and available resources.

The course starts today at the Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 W. Graham Road.

Man Arrested for East Main Street Homicide

Richmond Police have arrested and charged a man in connection with the April 24 homicide in the 1800 block of East Main Street near Have a Nice Day Café.

Kevin A. Cunningham, 21, of Highland Springs, was indicted Tuesday for murder by a grand jury. With the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Cunningham was arrested Thursday night.

He is accused of fatally shooting Jeremy A. Uzzle, 20, of the 300 block of Beech Road, Petersburg.

With this arrest, the Department has cleared 15 of 20 homicides, or 75 percent, this year. Investigators have very strong leads in several of the remaining cases.

Law Enforcement Torch Run Starts Friday Morning

Richmond Police will join other local law enforcement agencies tomorrow to run the Capital leg of the Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run, which benefits the Special Olympics.

This event is the largest grassroots fundraiser in the country, and every June officers and athletes carry the Flame of Hope more than 1,900 miles across Virginia to kickoff the summer games in Richmond.

Join Chief Bryan T. Norwood and many other police officers when the run begins at 10 a.m. at the Virginia State Capital after a short ceremony. It will proceed down Grace Street and work its way to the Tuckahoe Volunteer Rescue Squad, covering a distance of seven and a half miles.

The media is encouraged to attend.

Male Arrested for Trying to Set Woman on Fire

The U.S. Marshals Task Force arrested a man this morning who threw gasoline on his neighbor and then tried to set her on fire with a lighter yesterday.

Charles W. Wallace, 64, of the 3100 block of Zion Street, was found inside an abandoned house in the 3100 block of Bashford Lane.

He suffered minor burns during the assault on the victim when he set her car dashboard on fire so he has been taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

He will be charged with attempted murder, attempted malicious wounding, assault and battery and property damage for the crime, which occurred just after 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Male Sought for Trying to Set Woman on Fire

Richmond Police need the public’s help in finding a man who threw gasoline on his neighborhood and then tried to set her on fire with a lighter yesterday.

Charles W. Wallace, 64, of the 3100 block of Zion Street, is wanted for attempted murder, attempted malicious wounding, assault and battery and property damage for the crime, which occurred just after 5 p.m.

Other neighbors intervened, pulling Wallace away from the victim. He then ran away.

Anyone with any information on Wallace’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

BB&T Bank Robbery - Belt Boulevard

Richmond Police is again asking for the public’s help identifying and locating the man responsible for last Friday’s robbery of the BB&T bank at 200 E. Belt Blvd.

Around 10:30 a.m. May 28, a man approached a teller, indicated that he had a gun and demanded money. After taking the money, the man walked away from the bank.

During the robbery the suspect wore a black baseball cap with a white insignia on it, an oversized black T-shirt, jeans and black tennis shoes.

Photos from the bank’s surveillance camera accompany this advisory.

Anyone with information about this bank robbery suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Broad Appetit Closes Streets, Restricts Parking

The daylong food festival Broad Appetit will close several city streets and restrict parking for most of the day Sunday.

From 12 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, June 6, the following streets will be closed and no parking will be allowed;

•West Broad Street, both east and west lanes between Belvidere and North 1st streets,
•North Henry Street between West Grace and West Marshall streets,
•North Madison Street between West Grace and West Marshall streets,
•North Monroe Street between West Grace and West Marshall streets,
•North Jefferson Street between West Grace and West Marshall streets,
•Brook Road between West Broad and West Marshall streets, and
•Adams Street between West Grace and West Marshall streets.

North 20th Street Homicide Arrest

Richmond Police arrested a man yesterday wanted in connection with the May 23 shooting death of William D. Peet, 29, in the 1700 block of North 20th Street.

Donte L. Burchett, 21, of the 2100 block of Cool Lane, was taken into custody without incident at his home. He has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, abduction, attempted robbery and two counts of using a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Detectives moved quickly to arrest Burchett based on information and tips they were receiving from the community

Through their relentless efforts, the detectives stayed focused on the case until a suspect was in custody.