Arrest Made Within Hours of Early Morning Homicide

Gerard Anthony Harvell

Richmond Police has made an arrest and identified the victim of this morning’s fatal shooting in the Church Hill North neighborhood.

Shaquan Dominique Mealey, 22, of the 1500 block of North 20th Street was found shot in the 1200 block of North 30th Street around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29.

Richmond Police received a call at 12:31 a.m. for shots fired on North 30th Street. First Precinct officers patrolling the neighborhood arrived at the scene within seconds of the call and found Mealey with a gunshot wound on the porch of a residence. Mealey was taken to VCU Medical Center, where he died.

Hours later, Richmond Police arrested Gerard Anthony Harvell, 36, of the 1100 block of Autumn Lake Court in Virginia Beach in connection with this morning’s homicide. Harvell is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and is being held in the Richmond City Jail without bond.

Richmond Police credits the quick response of the responding First Precinct officers and the work throughout the day of Major Crimes detectives for the arrest in this case. The investigation is still ongoing.

Anyone with additional information to assist in the 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 Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Old Brook Road Homicide – Victim Identified

The Richmond Police Department has identified the victim of yesterday’s homicide on Old Brook Road as Malik D. DeSilva, 31, of the 1500 block of Anderson Highway, Cumberland County.   Officers were called to 4814 Old Brook Road for the call of shots fired and found DeSilva dead from a gunshot wound.   Detectives are working several leads in the case and are searching for three males that were seen leaving the area immediately after the shooting.
  Anyone with any information about this crime 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.

Old Brook Road Homicide

 At approximately 9:06 p.m., the Richmond Police Department received a call of shots fired in the 4800 block of Old Brook Road.

Officers arrived three minutes later and found a male dead from an apparent gunshot wound in the hallway of 4814 Old Brook Road.

The victim is described as a black male in his 30’s.

The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.

K-9 units attempted to track a suspect while detectives canvassed the apartments and grounds in the area. Forensics detectives processed the scene.

Anyone with any information about this crime 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.

Ancarrow’s Landing Death Investigation

Richmond Police Department

E-mail Advisory            9/20/12

Ancarrow’s Landing Death Investigation

Today at approximately 4 p.m. the Richmond Police Department received a call of a person down in the parking lot of Ancarrow’s Landing.

Officers arrived and found an adult male near the Slave Trail section of the parking lot and began a death investigation.

Detectives gathered evidence and questioned those who were in the park at the time. Forensics detectives processed the scene.

The Medical Examiner will determine cause of death.

Ancarrow’s Landing, part of the James River Park System, is a boat ramp and popular fishing spot. The parking area was partially closed to accommodate the investigation but the boat ramp remained open.

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

Two Women Sought in Dog Thefts

Richmond Police detectives need the public’s help to find two women who stole two therapy dogs from two disabled veterans.

Detectives are looking for Tess A. Fisher, 20, whose last known address was the 1100 block of West 43rd Street, and Rachel A. Steinman, 19, of the 1000 block of North 26th Street. Both are wanted on two charges each of grand larceny and obstruction of justice.

Detectives believe the two women stole the dogs—a black and tan Chihuahua named Fatty and black and white colored Jack Russell terrier named Spot—between noon and 1:45 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, from 2 E. Broad St. Both dogs serve as therapy dogs for two veterans.

The Chihuahua has since been recovered.

Detectives ask anyone with any information about these women’s whereabouts or this crime to call Detective Dale Shamburg at (804) 646-3781 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. Citizens may also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Police Hosts Public Forum on Safety for Places of Worship

WHAT

Safety and Awareness Forum for Places of Worship

WHEN

8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22

Registration from 8:30 to 9 a.m.; forum begins at 9 a.m.

WHERE
Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 W. Graham Road


BACKGROUND
Most residents rely on churches, synagogues, mosques and temples as places of comfort and solace. However, as events across the nation and around the world have shown, that comfort and solace can be disrupted in an instant.

“We want congregations to be prepared and vigilant in maintaining the safety of their sanctuaries,” said Captain John Hall, who leads the Community, Youth and Intervention Division. “We want to heighten their awareness of what can happen anytime, anywhere.”

The forum will cover a variety of topics to promote safety awareness for religious gathering places. Safety professionals and officers will discuss everything from building lighting and locks to the handling of money.


Congregations are invited to send no more than four representatives to the forum. The forum is free, but registration is required to accommodate all attendees. Please register at http://placesofworshipsafetyforum.eventbrite.com or contact Officer Kimberly Cheatham-McClarin at (804) 646-6754.

Suspect Still Sought in Southwood Parkway Homicide

Richmond Police detectives still need the public’s help to find Charles Benjamin Kirby in connection with a Southside homicide last month.

Charles B. Kirby, 24, of no fixed address, is wanted for conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the shooting death of Marcus Williams on July 17 in the 4600 block of Southwood Parkway.

Detectives believe robbery was the motive for this crime.

Kirby is described as a male with a light-brown complexion who weighs about 190 pounds and is approximately 6’1” feet tall. He may have tried to change his appearance by cutting off his long dreadlocks/braids and may now be clean shaven. Please see the photos below. He also has a tattoo on the right side of his neck.

Anyone with any information about Kirby’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. Citizens may also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Possible Hit and Run Involving Bicycle – Information Sought

Richmond Police detectives need information from the public in the case of an injured bicyclist.

Saturday night at approximately 11:30 p.m., police were called to the 1800 block of Chamberlayne Parkway for a report of a male bicyclist injured and unconscious on the sidewalk next to his bicycle. The male, in his early 20’s, was transported to VCU Medical Center.

There was damage to the victim’s bicycle that may have been the result of a collision with an automobile.

Anyone who has any information about this incident is asked to call Hit and Run Sgt. John Bowman at (804) 646-1369 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Fatal Crash on Westover Hills Boulevard

Richmond Police investigators are continuing their investigation this morning after a multi-vehicle crash killed one woman and critically injured another.

At approximately 9:53 p.m. on Thursday, officers were called to the 400 block of Westover Hills Boulevard near Crutchfield Avenue for a report of a car crash. When they arrived, they found Betty J. Hill, 64, of the 600 block of Queen Anne Drive, dead at the scene. The female driver was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Both women were in a 1998 Plymouth Breeze sedan that had been traveling north on Westover Hills Boulevard when it was struck by a 2000 Chevrolet Bravada making a left turn onto Crutchfield Street.

This investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

Investigators are asking anyone with any information about this incident to call the Richmond Police Crash Team investigators at 646-1343 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Richmond Police Host Social Media & Law Enforcement Conference

The Richmond Police Department is proud to bring law enforcement officers from across the country and around the world to Richmond next week as the Department hosts the Social Media the Internet and Law Enforcement Conference (SMILE).

The conference will be held Monday, September 10, through Wednesday, September 12, at the Omni Hotel, and include presentations about social media and law enforcement on topics such as public relations, criminal investigations and emergency management. 

“We look forward to having law enforcement authorities from around the country and around the world here in Richmond to discuss new methods of policing and community engagement,” Mayor Dwight C. Jones said. “Crime cannot be deterred by law enforcement alone as it requires the efforts of the entire community to truly make an impact. By improving the collaboration between the Richmond Police Department and city residents, we are making Richmond a safe place to live, work and play.”

Police Chief Bryan T. Norwood said he is honored the Department will host such an event.

“This conference is a great way for the Richmond Police Department to share its experiences and to learn about the many ways police agencies around the world are using social media to investigate crimes and foster great relationships within our communities,” Chief Norwood said.

Chief Norwood will discuss RPD’s social media successes during a chief’s panel on Monday, September 10, with Roanoke City Police Chief Chris Perkins and Galax Police Chief Rick Clark.

Some of the other speakers and topics include:

·      FBI Assistant Director Joe Demarest will talk about combating the cyber threat when it comes to emerging trends in national security;

·      A panel featuring Richmond Police Sgt. Mike Phibbs, the city’s own Andreas Addison and others explaining how police agencies can balance community participation without being Big Brother; and,

·      Toronto Police Constable Nathan Dayler giving examples of just how essential it is for law enforcement and emergency agencies to work together and use social media during emergency management incidents, such as the London riots and the Occupy demonstrations.

Six international award winners of the ConnectedCOPS awards will also be announced on Tuesday morning. They represent the best work in law enforcement use of social media from nominations that came from eight countries.

Learn more about the conference at www.TheSmileConference.com

RPD Nabs Scooter Robbers

Richmond Police detectives have arrested and charged two men in connection with a robbery where the suspects escaped via scooter.

Jonathan Kaspar, 29, of the 3200 block of North Avenue, turned himself in to the Dinwiddie Sheriff’s Department on Aug. 27. He has been charged with robbery and use of a firearm.

Christopher L. Santiago, 39, of the 11300 block of Jefferson Davis Highway, was arrested yesterday on Midlothian Turnpike by Third Precinct Officer Ben Frazer. Santiago has been charged with robbery.

Both men are charged in connection with the Aug. 19 robbery of the Patterson Express at 3100 Patterson Ave. They were developed as possible suspects after Officer Brian Rogers gathered pertinent information from sources.

More charges are pending as detectives continue their investigation to see if the pair are connected to the Aug. 14 robbery at the Sheppard Market, 704 N. Sheppard St., and the Aug. 19 robbery at the Cary Street Mini-Mart, 1317, W. Cary St.

Anyone with any information about these crimes is asked to call Third Precinct Detective Patrick Ripley at (804) 646-1165 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.