Annual Initiative Targets Fugitives, Firearms

The Richmond Police Department’s annual Fugitive and Firearms Initiative resulted in 108 outstanding warrants served on individuals and took 75 illegal guns off the streets of Richmond between May 22 and Aug. 28.

Chief Bryan T. Norwood and representatives from Virginia State Police and Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority Police will discuss and display the results of this summer’s FFI in a 9 a.m. news conference Wednesday, Sept. 1, at Richmond Police Headquarters, 200 W. Grace St.

Mayor Dwight C. Jones commended Richmond Police and its FFI partners for another successful initiative. “Community policing is a key component of our public safety paradigm,” the mayor said. “A focused initiative such as FFI, with its involvement of area law enforcement partners, moves this model to the next level while also removing two primary elements of the criminal equation.”

The law enforcement agencies partnered together again for an annual sweep across the city, with targeted efforts focused in the Church Hill and Highland Park neighborhoods.

“We look forward to FFI each year to ensure the persons wanted for crimes in the city and the weapons they are usually in possession of are both removed from society,” Chief Norwood said. “We also work to see that the fugitives are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law to discourage others from engaging in any criminal activity.”

FFI investigations this year also resulted in the seizure of

• 49.6 grams of crack cocaine,


• 76 grams of heroin and


• 522.9 grams of marijuana.

Montrose Ave. Shooters Arrested

Richmond Police officers have arrested two men wanted in connection with the shooting of three people last weekend on Montrose Avenue.

Charles Lee Mayo, 22, and Xavia Rayquinn Mayo, 20, of the 3000 block of Montrose Avenue, were picked up without incident.

Photo: Xavia Mayo

Both men have been charged with three counts each of felonious assault and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

They were being sought in connection with the shooting of two adult males and one adult female at 2902 Montrose Ave. just after 10 p.m. Saturday. All suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The department wants to thank the public for its assistance in locating these two individuals.

A current photo of Charles Mayo will be distributed when it becomes available.

Arrest Made in Montrose Avenue Shooting

Richmond Police have arrested Xavia Rayquinn Mayo, 20, of the 3000 block of Montrose Avenue, in connection with last night’s shooting on Montrose Avenue.

Officers spotted and arrested Mayo in the 2900 block of Chamberlayne Avenue just after 8:30 p.m. Investigators want to thank the community for their assistance with this case.

Investigators still need the public’s help in finding Charles Lee Mayo, 22, also of the 3000 block of Montrose Avenue, in connection with the shooting.

Both men are suspects in the shooting of two adult males and one adult female at 2902 Montrose Ave. just after 10 p.m. Saturday. All suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Anyone with information about Charles Mayo’s whereabouts or this crime is asked to call the Richmond Police Tipsline at 514-TIPS or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Montrose Shooting Suspects Sought

Richmond Police need the public’s help in finding two men wanted in connection with the shooting of three people last night on Montrose Avenue.

Investigators have been working through the night to identify and find Charles Lee Mayo, 22, and Xavia Rayquinn Mayo, 20, both of the 3000 block of Montrose Avenue.

Both men are wanted in connection with the shooting of two adult males and one adult female at 2902 Montrose Ave. just after 10 p.m. Saturday. All suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Anyone with information about their whereabouts or this crime is asked to call the Richmond Police Tipsline at 514-TIPS or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

SunTrust Bank Robbery

Richmond Police need the public’s help in identifying the man (pictured at right) who robbed the SunTrust Bank at 1101 Azalea Avenue this afternoon.

At approximately 3:15 p.m. today, a man walked into the bank and slipped the teller a note demanding money. He did not display a weapon, and was last seen walking west on Azalea Avenue.

The robber is described as a dark-skinned black male with a thin goatee, approximately 5’10” to 6’ tall and weighing about 210 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, faded blue jeans, a New York Yankees baseball cap and red and black sneakers.

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

Richmonder Rises Through Richmond Police Ranks

From the age of 3, Stephen McQuail knew what he wanted to be when he grew up – a police officer.

In his nearly 15 years with Richmond Police, he not only has been that but also trained almost 100 new officers for the same career in law enforcement as a sergeant at the Richmond Police Training Academy.

Tomorrow, he will take another step in his law enforcement career as he is promoted to the rank of lieutenant. A promotional ceremony for McQuail will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, at the Training Academy, 1202 W. Graham Road. The media and the public are invited to attend.

“I have always thought that being a local police officer is one of the most honorable careers in law enforcement,” McQuail said. “I became a Richmond Police officer because I felt RPD could offer me a wide array of experiences. I have not been disappointed with my decision.”

A native Richmonder and raised in the Richmond area, McQuail made the decision to come back home to be a Richmond Police officer during his senior year at Virginia Tech. Since becoming a Richmond Police officer in September 1995, McQuail has worked the streets as a patrol officer in Third Precinct and was a detective in the Robbery Task Force/Street Crimes Unit. He was selected to become a member of the Department’s SWAT Team in 2002. He was promoted to sergeant in 2005.

Family has played an important role in McQuail’s policing career. “I would like to thank my wife, who has had to live with shift work, me being on call and missed holidays. She has always been encouraging and supportive of my career. I would like to thank my parents, who supported my decision to become a police officer. The values they instilled in me have made me who I am.”

Quick Arrest in Williamsburg Road Shooting

First Precinct officers and Major Crimes detectives made a quick arrest in a shooting inside a Fulton Hill residence last night.

Kevin Sheldon Samuels, 36, of the 1400 block of Williamsburg Road is charged with aggravated assault.

The victim, a male in his late 20s, was visiting a woman at 1413 Williamsburg Road around 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, when he was shot in the leg. He was taken to VCU Medical Center. The victim’s injury is not life threatening.

Richmond Police officers immediately arrested Samuels outside the residence and found the weapon used in the shooting in the backyard of a neighboring residence.

The initial investigation indicates the shooting resulted from a domestic dispute between known parties. This was not a random act of violence.

Suspect Wanted in Willow Lawn Wachovia Robbery

Richmond Police is looking for the man responsible for this morning’s robbery at the Willow Lawn Wachovia bank, 4901 W. Broad St.

At 10:36 a.m., a man entered the bank and demanded money from two bank tellers. He did not display a weapon.

The suspect is a black male, age 35 to 40, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a thin build. He was wearing sunglasses, a black baseball cap, a polo shirt with multicolored horizontal stripes and dark pants.

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

Garber Street Homicide Victim Identified

The Richmond Police Department is investigating the fatal shooting of Marcel Lamar Davidson in the 1300 block of Garber Street.

Around 4 a.m. a citizen saw Davidson lying in the front yard of a residence and called Richmond Police. Officers arrived and found him unresponsive. Davidson, 20, of the 1800 block of Thomas Street, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone with information about Davidson’s murder is asked to call Detective Jeff Crewell at 201-3829 or Detective Mark Williams at 513-0955. Callers who do not want to be identified may call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Garber Street Homicide

The Richmond Police Department is investigating the fatal shooting of a man in the 1300 block of Garber Street.

Around 4 a.m. a citizen saw a man lying in the front yard of a residence and called Richmond Police. Officers arrived and found the man unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene, the victim of an apparent gunshot wound.

Anyone with information regarding this homicide is asked to call Detective Jeff Crewell at 201-3829 or Detective Mark Williams at 513-0955. Callers who do not want to be identified may call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Suspect Sought in Wachovia Robbery

Richmond Police needs the public’s help identifying and locating the man responsible for a robbery yesterday at Wachovia bank, 3501 W. Broad St.

Around 2:52 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, a man approached a teller, indicated that he had a gun and demanded money. The man ran away from the bank, headed east on Broad Street.

The suspect is a black male, age 35 to 40, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a thin build. He was wearing a dark-colored, Kangol-style cap, a black jacket, black pants and white tennis shoes.

The suspect in this robbery also may have a connection to a bank robbery attempt in Henrico. A male fitting a similar description tried to rob the BB&T bank in the 5600 block of West Broad Street about 20 minutes before the Wachovia robbery.

Anyone with information about the suspect in the Wachovia robbery is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Fatal Hit and Run -- Vehicle and Driver Sought

At 11:04 p.m. Saturday, Department officers received a call of a hit and run in the 3100 block of Broad Rock Boulevard. Officers found a male pedestrian injured in the right, westbound travel lane of the roadway.

He was transported to VCU Medical Center where he later died of his injuries.

The victim has been identified as Alberto M. Tobar, 42, of the 800 block of Newkirk Drive, Richmond.

According to witnesses, the victim was crossing east to west across Broad Rock Blvd. when he was struck by a Chevrolet Suburban, possibly dark blue or dark green in color. The vehicle continued to travel west toward Chesterfield County.

The Department is currently looking for the Suburban and the driver. The vehicle may have sustained front-end damage.

Anyone with information about the incident, the vehicle or the driver is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

New Communications Officers on the Line for 911 Center

WHAT:
Division of Emergency Communications Officers’ Graduation

WHEN:
1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13

WHERE:
Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 W. Graham Road

BACKGROUND:
Seven new communications officers will join the ranks of personnel at the Richmond Police Division of Emergency Communications 911 Center.

DEC is responsible for public safety and non-public safety radio communications for the City of Richmond and serves as the City's E-911 Call Center.

The division not only answers phone calls and routes radio calls for Richmond Police, but also Richmond Fire and Emergency Services, Richmond Ambulance Authority and the Department of Public Works.

The division is a 24 hour-a-day operation staffed by more than 70 communications officers and supervisors. Captain John Hall is in charge of this division.

The public is invited to attend today’s graduation.

Bramwell Road Attempted Robbery

At approximately 10:00 o’clock last night, officers were called to the 800 block of Bramwell Road for an attempted robbery and shots fired.

Upon arrival, they found a man shot multiple times. They quickly learned there had been an exchange of gunfire between the victim and several individuals who were attempting to rob him. The victim was taken to VCU Medical Center with life-threatening injures but survived and is in stable condition following surgery.

Within minutes, a vehicle was stopped a short distance away in a parking lot in the 5600 block of Hull Street Road. Three men were inside. Of the three, two were suffering from gunshot wounds - one was injured, one was deceased. The third man, uninjured, fled but was quickly apprehended.

The deceased man has been identified as Hayles Lee Goodall, 20, Richmond.

The wounded man has been identified as Kevin Gary, 18, Richmond. He was treated at VCU Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries.

The third man has been identified as Michael Anthony McMorris, 44, Richmond.

Gary and McMorris have been charged with malicious wounding, attempted robbery and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Cliff Avenue Homicide

The Richmond Police Department is investigating a homicide, the 25th of the year.

Shortly after 6:30 last night officers responded to 3252 Cliff Avenue. There they found the victim, Gregory Lee Jones, 29, same address, inside the residence dead of a single gunshot wound.

Investigators are following up leads in the case but they do believe the shooting was not random.

Anyone with information about this case should call Crime Stoppers at 804 780-1000.

Solomon Indicted for Claiborne Homicide

Richmond Police today served a grand jury indictment for first-degree murder on Michael Solomon, 28, in the case of Tameka Claiborne.

Solomon is being held without bond in the Richmond City Jail pending an appearance in circuit court.

Motorcycle-Van Fatal Crash

A collision between a motorcycle and a van in the 3100 block of Walmsley Boulevard at about 1 p.m. today has claimed the life of the motorcyclist, Darrin Tracy Williams, 41, Stony Creek, VA. Williams died at the scene.

The driver of the van, the only occupant of the vehicle, was taken by ambulance to CJW Medical Center with minor injuries.

Walmsley Boulevard was closed for about two and a half hours.

The investigation is on-going.