Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Lee Bridge Closure for Fireworks

Richmond Police want to advise drivers to the closure of the Lee Bridge on Sunday night to accommodate the RVA Fireworks.

The Lee Bridge will be closed from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 3.

From the south – access to the bridge will be closed at Semmes and Cowardin avenues.

From the north – access to the bridge will be closed at East Byrd and Belvidere streets.

Police Pursuit Arrest

Richmond Police officers have arrested a man after a short pursuit this morning.

At approximately 11:24 a.m., two Fourth Precinct officers saw a driver run a red light at 9th and East Broad streets and attempted to stop the vehicle.

The driver refused to stop and led the officers on a 20-minute pursuit onto Interstate 64 that ended in New Kent County. Richmond Police were assisted by Virginia State Police and officers from New Kent and Henrico, who laid a spike strip that eventually led to the car’s stop.

The driver, who has been charged with reckless driving and felony eluding police, was taken into custody without incident.

Join Richmond Police for a ‘Night Out’ on the Town



Last year, the Richmond Police Department’s big night out – National Night Out – attracted more than 75 civic and neighborhood associations in giving crime a going-away party. This year, the goal is to make the party bigger and better.

Residents are invited to make plans now to join Richmond Police in celebration of National Night Out, which takes place Tuesday, Aug. 2, this year. Richmond and communities across the country will celebrate the 28th Annual National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.

“We look at National Night Out as one big party,” said Community, Youth and Intervention Services Division Captain John Hall. “But it is truly a party with a purpose. We’re celebrating the success of our partnerships throughout the city that have helped Richmond realize reductions in crime.”

Richmond Police and Target stores will join forces for the annual National Night Out kickoff event noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at the city’s Target, 7107 Forest Hill Ave. Officers and members of the Richmond Sheriff’s Office will be on hand with crime prevention materials and children’s fingerprinting ID kits. The festive atmosphere also will include free food.

If you would like a Richmond Police officer, or maybe even Chief Bryan T. Norwood, to stop by your National Night Out event, contact the Community Care Unit at 646-4395. The deadline to register an event to have a Richmond Police officer stop by on National Night Out is Friday, July 22. The deadline to have your event on the official National Night Out registry is Friday, July 29.

To register your National Night Out event online, visit the Richmond Police website at www.richmondgov.com/police.

Dogwood Dell July 4th Traffic Restrictions

Richmond Police want to advise drivers of traffic detours for the July 4th fireworks display at Dogwood Dell in Byrd Park on Monday night.

Due to the increased amount of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, the following traffic pattern changes and detours will be in effect:

• The Boulevard will be closed to southbound traffic at Cary Street beginning 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 Street and Blanton Avenue 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 City Stadium at McCloy and Douglasdale. Everyone is STRONGLY encouraged to use the shuttles both 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 Interstate 195 there is a .70-cent toll. The Boulevard northbound will reopen 30 minutes after the fireworks have ended.

NO parking will be allowed on grassy area, medians, bridges or roadways. There will also be several areas where “No Parking” signs will be posted. Parking violations will be strictly enforced and vehicles will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Woman Charged with Murder in Fatal Fire


A woman charged with arson last week in a fatal fire on Garland Avenue also is now charged with murder.

Michelle Yvette Hampton, 34, of Richmond was served with an indictment today for the murder of Jacquelin Yvonne Anderson, 56, also of Richmond. Anderson did not have a permanent address.

Around 2:06 a.m. Sunday, June 19, Richmond Fire and Emergency Services responded to a fire in the 3100 block of Garland Avenue. As fire personnel began their investigation, they discovered Anderson’s body inside the house. The initial investigation indicates Anderson died as a result of the fire.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Oliver Hill Way Homicide Victim Identified, But Police Seek Help Locating Relatives


Arrests were quickly made last week in the murder of a Richmond man found in a building on Oliver Hill Way. However, Richmond Police detectives have not been able to locate the man’s family members as quickly.

At 11 a.m. Thursday, June 16, a passer-by discovered the body of man in a vacant building in the 900 block of Oliver Hill Way. That man has been identified as David Eugene Brown, 50, of Richmond. Brown did not have a permanent address.

Richmond Police detectives have exhausted all means to identify and notify Brown’s relatives of his death. He was known to frequent the areas of Monroe Park and 18th and Broad streets. He is a black male, 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing about 160 pounds.

Anyone with information about Brown or his family, friends or acquaintances is asked to contact Major Crimes Detective David Burt at 646-3913.

John Miglucci, Mary L. Smith and Aaron Tripoli were charged last Thursday with conspiracy to commit murder in Brown’s death.

Arrest Made in Garland Avenue House Fire


The Richmond Police Department has made an arrest in a house fire early yesterday.

Michelle Yvette Hampton, 34, of Richmond is charged with threatening to burn and arson. Additional charges against Hampton are pending upon review of the case by Richmond Police and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

Around 2:06 a.m. Sunday, June 19, Richmond Fire and Emergency Services responded to a fire in the 3100 block of Garland Avenue. As fire personnel began their investigation, they discovered a woman’s body inside the house. The initial investigation indicates the woman died as a result of the fire.

The state Medical Examiner will have to determine positive identification of the woman and the exact cause of death.

The investigation into this suspicious death is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or by sending a text to 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both methods to provide tips are anonymous.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Oliver Hill Way Suspect Photos

Attached and below are the suspect photos from yesterday’s quick homicide arrests from the incident that occurred in the 900 block of Oliver Hill Way.


John M. Miglucci III, 31, of no known address.


Aaron M. Tripoli, 23, of the 100 block of East Franklin Street.

The photo of Mary L. Smith is not yet available.

They have each been charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

Information on the victim’s identity can not yet be released.

Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to call Crime Stoppers at
780-1000 or text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both methods are anonymous.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Arrests Made in Oliver Hill Way Homicide

With quick work from officers and strong detective work Richmond Police have arrested three people suspected of being involved in the death of a man found this morning in a vacant Oliver Hill Way building.

Mary L. Smith, 38, of the 00 block of East Broad Street, Aaron Tripoli, 23, of the 100 block of East Franklin Street, and John Miglucci, 31, of no known address, were arrested today without incident.

They have each been charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

At approximately 11 a.m. this morning, a passerby looked inside a vacant building at 908 Oliver Hill Way and saw a person down. Police were called and within minutes officers arrived and found a black male dead inside the structure.

Detectives have classified the case a homicide.

Information on the victim’s identity can not yet be released.

Photos of the three persons arrested are not yet available.

Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both methods are anonymous.

Oliver Hill Way Death Investigation

The Richmond Police Department has initiated a death investigation in the 900 block of Oliver Hill Way.

At approximately 11 a.m. this morning, a passerby looked inside a vacant building at 908 Oliver Hill Way and saw a person down. Police were called and within minutes officers arrived and found a male dead inside the structure.

The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.

Department detectives are reaching out to the owner of the property for any information about the property and the building.

During the preliminary investigation the detectives are asking anyone with knowledge of the persons who frequent the area of Oliver Hill Way and O Street to contact police. The Community Assisted Public Safety unit (CAPS) and the Department’s H.O.P.E. unit are familiar with this area and have focused outreach efforts in this area to homeless individuals who have sheltered in the vacant building.

Anyone with information to assist in this death investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both methods are anonymous.

Faith Leaders Promote Unity in Hillside Community



WHO:
Richmond Police Faith Leaders Partnership
Hillside Court Tenant Council
Richmond Police Department
Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority Police

WHAT:
Hillside Court Community Day

WHEN:
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 18

WHERE:
Hillside Court, 1500 Harwood St.

BACKGROUND:
The Richmond Police Faith Leaders Partnership is working to be one of the Department’s key community policing resources. Chief Bryan T. Norwood established the Faith Leaders Partnership in May 2010, with the goal of building a core group of faith leaders Richmond Police can meet with quarterly to address policing efforts, issues or concerns in the city.

The Faith Leaders Partnership decided to focus its first efforts in the Hillside Court community. A prayer vigil was held there March 8 in support of the community, which faced a violent start to the new year. On Saturday, a day of information, fun, food and fellowship is planned, beginning with a community cleanup at 9 a.m. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hillside Court residents will have the opportunity to participate in health screenings and a job fair as well as receive information on parenting resources and education opportunities.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Richmond Police Neighborhood Watch Forum Tonight


The Richmond Police Department will host its annual Neighborhood Watch Forum this evening to provide information to residents on starting a Watch in their community and also provide other public safety information.

The forum will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 W. Graham Road. Officers from the Department’s four precincts will be on hand to provide information specific to their patrol areas. The Community Care Unit will be available to schedule residential safety surveys and provide information about its Community Assisted Public Safety program.

The forum is open to the public.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Arrests Made in Brown Homicide




After an intensive investigation, Richmond Police detectives have arrested three men for the murder of a young man on his birthday this past March.

Michael K. Brown Jr., 20, of Glen Allen, had been hanging out with friends inside a downtown nightclub on March 13 when there was an altercation inside the club. A few hours later outside the club, Brown was shot at Fourth and East Main streets. He later died at the hospital.

Almost two months later, Brown’s father, Michael Brown Sr., also died. Friends said Brown Sr. never got over the loss of his only son.

Yesterday—three months to the day of Brown Jr.’s murder—after months of investigation and tips from the community, the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force and Third Precinct officers arrested and charged the below three men with conspiracy to commit murder:

*Cory L. Worthington, 22, of the 2900 block of Ralph Boulevard;
*Giovanni M. Williford, 22, of the 1700 block of Jacqueline Street; and
*Willie T. Seaward III, 22, of the 1600 block of Jacqueline Street.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Richmond Police Takes on Torch Run


WHO:
Chief Bryan T. Norwood
105th Basic Recruit Class
Richmond Police personnel

WHAT:
Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run – Capitol Leg

WHEN:
10 a.m. Friday, June 10

WHERE:
Virginia State Capitol, 9th and Grace entrance

BACKGROUND:
Chief Norwood, members of the Department’s 105th Basic Recruit Class, Richmond Police personnel and members of other area law enforcement agencies will participate in the Torch Run’s Capitol Leg, a 7-mile stretch west from the State Capitol to just beyond the city line.

Richmond Police also will participate in the Torch Run’s Final Leg, starting 7:30 p.m. Friday at Tuckahoe Volunteer Rescue Squad and ending at the University of Richmond Robins Center for the start of the Special Olympics games, which the Torch Run benefits.

“It’s a great experience for a great cause,” said Captain Harvey Powers, the Department’s Torch Run coordinator.

This year law enforcement agencies in Virginia have raised $846,000 to fund the important missions of Special Olympics. Locally, the Metro Richmond region’s law enforcement agencies have raised $94,000.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Update to 21st and East Main Streets Death Investigation

Based on initial investigation, Richmond Police detectives preliminarily believe a woman’s death yesterday was the result of an accidental fall.

At 10:49 a.m. Tuesday, officers were called to 21st and East Main streets for a report of a person down. When officers arrived, they found Casie L. Rhodes, 30, of the 2000 block of East Main Street, deceased on the sidewalk.

After interviewing witnesses and further investigation, detectives believe Rhodes’ death was the result of an accidental fall from her apartment building. However, investigators are still waiting on the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the official cause of death.

As part of the investigation, a search of Rhodes’ apartment resulted in the arrest of her boyfriend, Reda H. Mohammad, 39, of the same address, for felony heroin possession. A mugshot is not available because it is not yet in the system.

Investigators still ask anyone with any information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or text Crime Stoppers at 274637 first using the word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both methods are anonymous.