Four People Charged with Several Fan Robberies

Thanks to officers’ quick response and an intensive investigation, Richmond Police have arrested and charged three men and one woman in connection with several recent armed robberies in the Fan neighborhood.

Brandon E. Lathem, 21, of Centerville; Darryl L. House II, 18, of Lansdowne; Kwayee Tarty, 25, of Henrico; and Nicole A. Reynolds, 27, Henrico, have all been charged with robbery.

The victim called police at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Sept. 21 and reported the group had broken into his apartment in the 2700 block of West Grace Street and tried to rob him at gunpoint.

Though the group fled, officers quickly stopped their vehicle and arrested them nearby at the intersection of Boulevard and West Broad Street.

After further investigation, investigators have charged all four with that crime as well as the Sept. 18 armed robbery of seven men in the 800 block of North Harrison Street.

The group may also be wanted for credit card fraud out of Northern Virginia.

“Thanks to the speedy response by our officers and the good investigative work of our detectives, we were able to clear these cases and make the streets safer for residents,” Third Precinct Capt. Will Smith said.

Hillside Court Homicide Victim Identified

The victim of this week’s homicide in Hillside Court is Sophia Alexander, 19 years of age, of the 1800 block of Southlawn Avenue.

Alexander was discovered in her apartment about 7 p.m. Tuesday, dead of a gunshot wound.

Detectives are actively investigating the case.

Persons with information about this homicide are asked to call the Richmond Police Tip Line at 514-TIPS (8477) or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Hillside Court Homicide

The Richmond Police Department is investigating a homicide in Hillside Court.

Shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 28th officers were called to an apartment in the 1800 block of Southlawn Avenue. There they found the body of a black female in her early twenties, dead of a gunshot wound.

Persons with information about this homicide are asked to call the Richmond Police Tip Line at 514-TIPS (8477) or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Arrest Made in Chicago Avenue Murder; Tips Sought

The Richmond Police Department is investigating a murder that occurred overnight.

Shortly before 11 p.m. last night, police officers heard the sound of gunshots near East 19^th Street and Chicago Avenue. When they arrived less than a minute later they discovered the body of Katrice Robertson, 25, of the 1800 block of Chicago Ave., lying in the alley behind her residence.

Robertson had been shot and also suffered injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle.

As a result of information provided by several witnesses, a suspect vehicle was spotted minutes later and stopped in the 100 block of Dock Street.

The driver of the vehicle, Tawny Hamlet, 22, of the 2900 block of Lynhaven Avenue, has been arrested and charged with felony hit-and-run. She is in the Richmond City Jail.

Detectives are in the early stages of the investigation. They are exploring a possible link between the hit-and-run and the fatal shooting.

Persons with information about this murder are asked to call the Richmond Police Tip Line at 514-TIPS (8477) or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Volunteers Needed for MyPAL to Make a Difference

The Richmond Police Athletic League is best known for its athletic activities for young people. But thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, PAL now also will be known for coaching youths in the game of life.

The MyPAL Mentor Program will match volunteer mentors with a young person to meet at PAL at least one hour a week for a one-year commitment. In addition to providing a role model and a listening ear, the program will give mentors and mentees the chance to engage in a variety of one-on-one and group activities with other MyPAL participants to promote social skills and overall well-being.

“A trusting relationship with a caring adult can have a lifelong, life-changing effect on a young person,” Community, Youth and Intervention Captain Sybil El-Amin said. “We are glad we can provide an outlet and a venue to build and support these types of relationships.”

The Richmond PAL chapter is one of 135 across the country to receive an award from the Justice Department and the National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues to establish a mentoring program.

Adult volunteers are needed for the MyPAL Mentor Program in Richmond. A mentor orientation will be held 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, at PAL, 1365 Overbrook Road. For more information, contact Shirley Crawford, MyPAL mentor coordinator, at 804.646.1832.

Sign Up for the Citizens Police Academy!

Want to learn how and why Richmond Police do what they do?

Then sign up for the Citizens Police Academy, which starts Nov. 4 and includes two weekly evening sessions through Dec. 2. The deadline to register is Oct. 15.

The Richmond Police Department will offer eight sessions for those interested in learning about the Department’s personnel, goals, community policing and law enforcement-related topics.

There will be eight, two-hour sessions held twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, excluding the Thanksgiving holiday, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 W. Graham Road.

The classes will cover different areas of the Department provided by expert guest instructors, presenters as well as certified police officers and supervisors. The courses’ are diverse and range from the organizational structure and citywide concerns to forensics, criminal investigation, narcotics and firearms.

Anyone who lives or works in Richmond can attend the academy, but you must be at least 18 years old with no felony convictions. Misdemeanor convictions will be reviewed and considered by Chief Bryan T. Norwood.

To register, please contact Mrs. GiTonya L. Parker at 646-7648 or

GTonya.Parker@richmondgov.com. The deadline to apply is on or before Oct. 15. Space is limited.

Gilpin Court Shooting Arrest

Richmond Police investigators have arrested and charged one of two men shot in Gilpin Court on Friday night.

Calvin C. Townes, 18, of the 3700 block of Stockton Street, has been charged with attempted murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Just after 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, officers were called to 7 West Hill St. for a report of a shooting. They found one male victim suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the chest. Townes was later taken by personal vehicle to the hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg.

After speaking with several witnesses, investigators charged Townes with the crime. Investigators wish to thank members of the Gilpin Court community for their assistance.

Human Remains Identified

The Richmond Police Department has identified the human remains found last week as those of Cleveland Peoples Jr.

Peoples, 33, of the 2400 block of Atwell Lane, was reported missing in June 2010.

He was identified through dental records. The Medical Examiner’s Office will attempt to determine the cause of death.

A city works crew discovered Peoples’ remains at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 14, in the 3800 block of McGuire Drive.

Bad Medicine: Richmond Police Wants Your Old Prescription Drugs

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, expired prescription medications are a public safety issue that can lead to accidental poisoning, overdose and abuse. These drugs cannot be turned in to your local pharmacy and should not be flushed into the sewer system.

To assist in the proper disposal of these drugs, the DEA and law enforcement agencies across the country will hold the first nationwide prescription medication collection program on Saturday, Sept. 25. The Richmond Police Department will have two collection sites open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day:

• East District Center, 701 N. 25th St.
• Southside Community Service Center, 4100 Hull Street Road

“In the wrong hands, prescription medications can be just as dangerous as illegal street narcotics,” said Captain Roger Russell, who is in charge of the Department’s narcotics investigations. “In fact, we have collected prescription drugs that were intended for street sale during drug busts.”

Residents are welcome to bring unused or expired prescription medications to either location. Police ask that you do not bring syringes or illegal narcotics for disposal to the collection sites.

All prescription medications collected will be incinerated according to federal and state environmental guidelines.

Victim Identified in Fatal Clarkson Road Shooting

The victim of yesterday’s fatal shooting in Southwood Apartments is identified as William Howell, 68, of 1732 Clarkson Road.

Around 12:45 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, a report of a shooting inside a Clarkson Road apartment came in to Richmond Police. Officers found Howell with a gunshot wound. Howell was taken to VCU Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Richmond Police is still looking for two suspicious men who were seen leaving the apartment building soon after the shooting. They drove away in a dark gray, Cadillac-style car.

Both suspects are black males in their 20s. The first man was wearing a white T-shirt and black jeans. His hair was braided down to the base of his neck. The second man was wearing a black shirt and black jeans. He has a short haircut.

Persons with information about this homicide and the men officers are looking for are asked to call the Richmond Police Tip Line at 514-TIPS (8477) or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Shooting Results in Murder on Clarkson Road

The Richmond Police Department is investigating a shooting that resulted in a homicide this afternoon.

Around 12:45 p.m. a report of a shooting in an apartment at 1732 Clarkson Road came in to Richmond Police. Officers found a male with a gunshot wound inside the location. The victim was taken to VCU Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead 30 minutes later. The murder victim’s identity is being withheld until relatives can be notified of his death.

Richmond Police detectives quickly learned from residents in the area that two suspicious men were seen leaving the apartment building soon after the shooting. They drove away in a dark gray, Cadillac-style car.

Both suspects are black males in their 20s. The first man was wearing a white T-shirt and black jeans. His hair was braided down to the base of his neck. The second man was wearing a black shirt and black jeans. He has a short haircut.

Persons with information about this homicide and the men officers are looking for are asked to call the Richmond Police Tip Line at 514-TIPS (8477) or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

2nd Chamberlayne Murder Suspect in Custody

Within 24 hours of the fatal shooting, thanks to the diligent work of Richmond Police detectives and numerous tips from community residents, both men wanted in the Chamberlayne Avenue murder are now in custody.

Lamar Elais Defairia was arrested shortly after 4:30 p.m. by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force at the intersection of Chamberlayne Avenue and Watkins Street, about a block from the scene of the murder.

Rashaan Tigean Williams surrendered at Police Headquarters earlier this afternoon.

Both men are suspects in the Sept. 16 fatal shooting of Lawrence Andre Sykes in the 4800 block of Chamberlayne Avenue.

The Richmond Police Department thanks the many residents who contacted detectives concerning this murder and our media partners for publicizing the information on both suspects during the manhunt.

One Chamberlayne Murder Suspect in Custody

One of two men wanted by Richmond Police in yesterday’s murder on Chamberlayne Avenue is in custody.

Rashaan Tigean Williams surrendered at Police Headquarters this afternoon.

Officers are still looking for Lamar Elais Defairia, 21, of the 4300 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike.

Both men are suspects in the Sept. 16 fatal shooting of Lawrence Andre Sykes in the 4800 block of Chamberlayne Avenue.

Anyone with information on Defairia’s whereabouts is asked to call Richmond Police Detective Mark Williams at 513-0955. If the caller would like to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Two Men Wanted in Chamberlayne Avenue Murder

Lamar Elais Defairia and Rashaan Tigean Williams

The Richmond Police Department is looking for two men in connection with a murder that occurred on Chamberlayne Avenue yesterday.

At 5:25 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, citizens reported a shooting in the 4800 block of Chamberlayne Avenue. Richmond Police officers arrived within minutes and found Lawrence Andre Sykes, 23, unresponsive in the roadway with multiple gunshot wounds. Sykes, who lived in the 2100 block of Binford Lane, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The initial investigation indicates the fatal shooting was the result of an argument.

Richmond Police detectives worked through the night, following leads provided by citizens, and developed two men as suspects. Lamar Elais Defairia, 21, of the 4300 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike and Rashaan Tigean Williams, 24, of the 1700 block of East 17th Street are wanted for conspiracy to commit murder.

Anyone with information about Defairia or Williams is asked to call Richmond Police Detective Mark Williams at 513-0955. If the caller would like to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Suspects Wanted in Afternoon Armed Robberies

Richmond Police is looking for two men responsible for daytime armed robberies of businesses in Southside and the East End. Customers were inside both businesses when the robberies occurred.

In the first robbery, the suspect acted alone. Around 1:40 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, a man entered the 301 Express convenience store, 2012 Maury St., brandished a firearm and demanded money from the cash register. The suspect was aggressive and threatened a store employee. He took money and ran from the store. The suspect is a black male, age 25 to 35, 6 feet tall, with a dark complexion and a medium build. He was wearing a blue and white baseball cap, a black T-shirt, baggy blue jeans and tan work boots.

The next robbery occurred around the same time in the afternoon on Sunday, Sept. 12. Two men with guns entered Moe’s convenience store, 2905 Nine Mile Road, and demanded money from a store employee. One of the suspects went behind the counter to threaten the employee and take money from the cash register. Both suspects are black males. One male is about 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 170 to 175 pounds. He wore a baseball cap, dark T-shirt and dark jeans. The other male is 6 feet tall and weighs between 200 and 220 pounds. He wore a dark cap, a red or burgundy T-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes.

Anyone with information about the suspects in these commercial robberies is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Brauers Neighbhorhood Walk Through

Chief Bryan T. Norwood will lead his Command Staff and sector officers in a community walk through in the Brauers neighborhood in the city’s East End tonight.

Prostitution is a big concern for officers in this neighborhood because of the effect on the quality of life for both residents and business-owners. During the walk through, officers hope to speak with residents and business owners about this issue and find out about other concerns and how they can work together to address them.

The group will meet at 6 p.m. at 1900 T St. at Luck’s Field.

Richmond Red v Blue Game

September 11 has become a date that lives in remembrance and recognition. As memorials are held across the country, Richmond’s First Responders will recall the day in a special way and the hope is that members of the community will come and show their support.

Tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 11, members from the Richmond Fire Department and the Richmond Police Department will square off in a charity softball match – the Richmond Red v Blue Game. It follows the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities event at the Carillon at 9 a.m.

Starting at 10 a.m., the field at the Henderson Sports Complex, 804 Forest Lawn Dr. (behind John Marshall High School), will be buzzing with excitement, music, games and prizes as the two teams assemble for the big match.

Guest umpires and a guest play-by-play announcer will be in attendance as the teams battle to win the Richmond Red v Blue Pennant – ready to hang proudly in the headquarters of the victor.

On this date of remembrance, the entire community shows their support for the bravest and the finest who serve our community every day. Spectators at the game are encouraged to wear red or blue in support of their favorite team!

The Fire Department will be accepting small donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association while the Police Department will be collecting for the Richmond Police Athletic League.

Prior to the match, Qdoba Mexican Grill will be sponsoring games for children of all ages and will be generously providing prizes.

Updated Minefee Street Homicide

Richmond Police need the public’s help in finding more information about last night’s homicide on Minefee Street.

At approximately 7:15 p.m., Napoleon Hargrove Jr. (pictured), 42, of the 100 block of West 33^rd Street, was found shot to death in the back yard of a house in the 1400 block of Minefee Street.

Investigators are interested in speaking with anyone who saw Hargrove with other individuals in the days leading up to discovery of his body.

Investigators are asking anyone with any information about this crime to call Detective Michael Gouldman at 512-2950 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Minefee Street Homicide

Richmond Police are investigating the shooting death of Napoleon Hargrove Jr., 42, of the 100 block of West 33^rd Street.

At approximately 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, citizens called police after finding Hargrove in the back yard of a house in the 1400 block of Minefeet Street. Investigators believe he died from an apparent gunshot wound.

Investigators are asking anyone with any information about this crime to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

"Safe Corridors" for Students In, Out of School

Richmond’s Safe Corridors Initiative made the grade last year. This year, Richmond Police and Richmond Public Schools are working to repeat the same success to start this school year off right.

Mayor Dwight C. Jones, Schools Superintendent Yvonne Brandon and Chief Bryan T. Norwood will discuss this year’s Safe Corridors Initiative at a news conference scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, at George Wythe High School, 4314 Crutchfield St.

High school students were the focus for Safe Corridors’ freshman year. The sophomore effort will extend to the city’s middle school students.

“As evidenced by the Safe Corridors Initiative, public safety is a cooperative effort among our city agencies that starts with our youngest citizens – the students of Richmond Public Schools,” Mayor Jones said. “We want to create an environment where they can stay focused on their education.”

Chief Norwood said, “We want parents of Richmond Public Schools’ students to know we have their child’s safety in mind each and every day. From the time they leave home in the morning until they return home in the afternoon, they’re in our care – Richmond Public Schools and Richmond Police.”

Dr. Brandon agrees. “Public education and public safety work hand in hand,” she said. “From the early days of the former D.A.R.E. program to current times with School Resource Officers, there has always been a collaborative effort to create a safe environment for our students. We will work to continue and enhance this partnership.”

Richmond Police reminds high school students who drive to and from school abide by all traffic laws, but especially to refrain from texting while driving. The Department’s Traffic Unit and sector officers from each precinct will increase traffic and radar enforcement in and around school zones the first week of school. And the Department’s school crossing guards will be looking out for pedestrian students.

“From home to homeroom, student safety is our priority,” Chief Norwood said.

Bank Robbers Sought

Richmond Police need the public’s help to identify the men seen in these two videos who are wanted in connection with two recent bank robberies.

These robberies may also be connected to similar bank robberies in Henrico County.

In the first incident, the man robbed the Wachovia bank at 3501 W. Broad St. at approximately 2:52 p.m. on Aug. 18. The robber approached a teller, indicated he had a gun and demanded money. The man then ran away from the bank, and was last seen heading east on Broad Street.

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

In the second incident, a man robbed the Willow Lawn Wachovia bank at 4901 W. Broad St. on Aug. 21. At 10:36 a.m., the robber 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 last seen wearing sunglasses, a black baseball cap, a polo shirt with multicolored horizontal stripes and dark pants.

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