Thursday, November 29, 2012

Holiday Events Close Some Streets; Restrict Parking

Richmond’s holiday season begins this weekend with the Grand Illumination on Friday, Nov. 30, and the Dominion Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 1. Downtown traffic patterns and parking will be adjusted to make way for these events.



Motorists and residents are reminded to pay close attention to street signage indicating detours, street closings and parking restrictions.



For Friday’s Grand Illumination at 6 p.m., the following will be in effect:

• No parking will be allowed on the East Cary Street between 9th and 12th streets.

• Tenth Street will be closed between East Cary and Canal streets.

• Expect traffic delays on East Cary Street from 9th to 12th streets from

5 p.m. to 9 p.m. as pedestrians and motorists view the light display at the James Center.



For Saturday’s Dominion Christmas Parade, the following will be in effect:

• The eastbound and westbound lanes of West Broad Street will be closed to traffic between North Davis Avenue and Strawberry Street from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• The westbound lanes of West Broad Street will be closed to traffic from Robinson Street to 8th Street from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• DMV Drive from Leigh Street to West Broad Street will be closed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Leigh Street from Hermitage Road to North Boulevard will be closed from

7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Seventh Street from East Broad Street to Jackson Street will be closed from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The parade is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., and travel east on Broad Street, ending at the intersection with 7th Street.



Parking restrictions will be enforced from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday along the following streets:

• Leigh Street between Hermitage and Myers streets

• East Leigh Street between 4th and 9th streets

• Broad Street westbound between 8th and Terminal Place

• Broad Street eastbound between 2nd and 5th streets

• Broad Street eastbound between Davis and Strawberry streets

• Grace Street between Strawberry and Davis streets

• Strawberry Street between West Broad and Grace streets

• Davis Street between West Broad and Grace streets

• DMV Drive

• Seventh Street between East Broad and Jackson streets

• Marshall Street between 3rd and 7th streets



No-parking signs will be posted along these streets and the parade route. All parking restrictions will be strictly enforced. Vehicles parked in restricted areas will be towed at the owner’s expense.



Additionally, Hermitage Road will be closed between Robin Hood and West Broad streets for the Nutzy Rotary Funn Runn 5K between 7:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. on Saturday before the parade.



The Department urges everyone to have patience and plan for a little extra time in trying to get to their destinations.

Suspect Sought in Commercial Robbery

Richmond Police Department
E-mail Advisory            11/29/12
Suspect Sought in Commercial Robbery

Richmond Police detectives need the public’s help to identify and find the man in the attached surveillance photo who robbed a store clerk at gunpoint earlier this month.

At approximately 4:46 p.m. Tuesday, November 13, an armed man entered the Crown gas and convenience store at 4307 Jefferson Davis Highway and robbed the store at gunpoint.

The suspect is described as a black male with a light complexion or a Latino male, 5’7”-5’9”, with a mustache and weighing approximately 140 pounds. He was last seen wearing a distinct jacket that had a large image of a wolf’s head atop a Native-American-type dream catcher.

The suspect fled on foot northbound along Jefferson Davis Highway towards Buford Avenue.

There were no injuries.

Detectives are asking anyone with any information about this crime to call 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.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Suspect Sought in Bus Stop Robbery

Richmond Police Department
E-mail Advisory            11/28/12
Suspect Sought in Bus Stop Robbery


Richmond Police detectives need the public’s help to identify the man in the attached photos who is a suspect in a robbery earlier this month.

At approximately 4:45 p.m. on November 19, the Richmond Police Department was called to a bus stop at East Marshall and North 25th streets for the report of an armed robbery.

The suspect was described as a black male, approximately 30 years of age and weighing 160-200 pounds. He was seen wearing a ski mask, a red and black winter coat and dark-colored jeans. The suspect carried an orange and black backpack. His photos are also below.

At this time detectives do not believe this suspect is connected to the several robberies at bus stops earlier this month.

Detectives are asking anyone with any information about this crime to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or contact Detective Sergeant Ethan Rhodenizer at Ethan.Rhodenizer@richmondgov.com or Lieutenant Daniel Minton at Daniel.Minton@richmondgov.com. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.





Friday, November 16, 2012

Arson Suspects Sought

Richmond Police detectives need the public’s help to identify the persons responsible for setting fire to two vehicles in the Fan recently.




Both incidents occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3. The first was in the 2300 block of Park Avenue and the second in the 100 block of Strawberry Street. Both times, a parked, unoccupied vehicle was set on fire and destroyed.



The suspects are described as two white males between the ages of 19 and 25, approximately 105 pounds to 120 pounds with dark hair. They can be seen in the surveillance video sent separately



Detectives are asking anyone with any information about this crime to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or Detective Trisha Brown at (804) 646-6130. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Recognize These Midlo Trpk. Family Dollar Robbers?

Richmond Police detectives need the public’s help to find and identify the two men in these surveillance photos who assaulted and robbed a store clerk at gunpoint last night.
At approximately 8:47 p.m. Wednesday, two armed men entered the Family Dollar store at 6520 Midlothian Turnpike, assaulted the clerk and robbed the store at gunpoint.
The first robber is described as a black male with a medium complexion, 20-30 years old, 5’10”-6’00” and who was last seen wearing a black skull cap and a dark denim jacket. The second robber is described as a black male, 18-28 years of age, 5’-10”-6’00” and weighing approximately 160 pounds.
The pair may have escaped in a gold- or silver-colored pickup extended cab Chevrolet or Dodge with a dent in driver’s side door that was seen in the area.
Detectives are asking anyone with any information about this crime to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or Detective William Cutshall at (804) 646-1068. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.







Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Can You Help Us Find This Missing Man?

Richmond Police detectives need the public’s help to find a man suffering from medical issues who is missing.




Otis L. Holmes, 48, of the 3500 block of Chamberlayne Avenue, was last seen standing in the area of Meadow and West Main streets around 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9.



Holmes, who suffers from dementia, is described as a black male with gray hair, approximately 5’5” tall and weighing about 170 pounds. His family calls him by the nickname of “Blackie.”



Anyone who sees Mr. Holmes or has any information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Department’s non-emergency number at 646-5100 or Detective Steve Kendell at 646-3378.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Missing Man Sought

Richmond Police detectives need the public’s help to find a man suffering from medical issues who is missing.


Otis L. Holmes, 48, of the 3500 block of Chamberlayne Avenue, was last seen standing in the area of Meadow and West Main streets around 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9.

Holmes, who suffers from dementia, is described as a black male with gray hair, approximately 5’5” tall and weighing about 170 pounds. His family calls him by the nickname of “Blackie.”

Anyone who sees Mr. Holmes or has any information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Department’s non-emergency number at 646-5100 or Detective Steve Kendell at 646-3378.



Friday, November 9, 2012

Suspect Sought in Bus Stop Robberies

Richmond Police detectives need the public’s help to find the man who committed several robberies at or near East End bus stops last weekend.
The robber appeared to target females who were alone and whose purses were in plain view. The armed robberies occurred from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon:
• Saturday at 7:16 a.m. in the 1700 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike

• Saturday at 8:20 a.m. in the 2400 block of East Marshall Street

• Saturday at 10:10 p.m. in the 2800 block of Fairfield Avenue

• Saturday at 11:46 p.m. in the 1000 block of North 20th Street

• Sunday at 5:43 a.m. in the 1000 block of Mosby Avenue

• Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in the 3300 block of N Street
Detectives are asking anyone with any information about these crimes to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or Detective John Grazioso at (804) 646-0672. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Watch for Runners, Street Closings during Marathon

The Richmond Police Department asks motorists to be mindful of runners, parking restrictions and street closings through the city starting Friday night because of the Anthem Richmond Marathon on Saturday.




There a few different street closures this year because of the change to the ending of the race. Additionally, vehicles will be towed earlier this year, starting at midnight Friday, to make sure the course is clear.



Drivers need to be patient and on the lookout for runners along the routes.



Please be aware of signs restricting parking and detours throughout the city starting at 4 p.m. Friday and continuing through 5 p.m. Saturday.



The following streets will be closed during the designated times:



• Tredegar Street will be closed between Dominion Resources and 7th Street from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. No parking will be allowed from 3 a.m. through 5 p.m. Saturday.

• Tredegar Street will be closed between 5th and 7th streets from 6 p.m. Friday through 5 p.m. Saturday. No parking will be allowed from 3 a.m. through 5 p.m. Saturday.

• 5th Street will be closed between Grace and Tredegar streets from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. No parking will be allowed from 3 a.m. through 5 p.m. Saturday.

• Cary Street will be closed between 3rd and 12th streets from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Broad Street from Lombardy to Belvidere will be closed all day Saturday.

• Broad Street (both eastbound and westbound) between 4th Street and the Boulevard will be closed from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. Westbound traffic will be detoured north onto 11th Street and west on Leigh Street. No parking will be allowed from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. Eastbound traffic will be detoured north on Sheppard Street, east on Marshall Street, north on the Boulevard, east on Leigh Street, south on 10th Street, east on Marshall Street, south on 12th Street back to Broad Street.

• Grace Street from Allen Ave. to 4th Street will be closed from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m. No parking will be allowed from 3 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Grace Street will be closed between Boulevard and Allen Ave. from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. for the HCA Virginia 8K.

• 3rd Street will be closed from Broad to Main Street from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m. No parking will be allowed from 3 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Mulberry Street between Broad and Grace streets will be closed from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. for the HCA Virginia 8K. No parking will be allowed from 12 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• East Franklin Street between 2nd and 6th streets will be closed from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m. No parking will be allowed from 3 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Lombardy Street between Brook Road and Grace Street will be closed from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m. No parking will be allowed from 3 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• North Boulevard northbound from Broad Street to Hermitage Road will be closed from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the American Family Fitness Half Marathon. No parking will be allowed from 3 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Hermitage Road northbound from Boulevard to Pope Ave will be closed from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. for the American Family Fitness Half Marathon.

• Hermitage Road northbound between the Boulevard/Westwood and Laburnum Road will be closed from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. No parking will be allowed from 3 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Brookland Parkway eastbound from Hermitage Road to Lamont Street will be closed from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. for the American Family Fitness Half Marathon

• Bellevue Avenue from Hermitage Road to the Bryan Park entrance will be closed from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. for the American Family Fitness Half Marathon.

• Monument Avenue westbound between Mulberry and Chantilly will be closed from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. No parking will be allowed from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m.

• Westmoreland between Monument Ave and Grove Ave will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

• Grove Avenue westbound between Commonwealth and Maple will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

• Maple Avenue from Grove to Cary Street will be closed from 4:00 a.m. to 10 a.m.

• The Huguenot Bridge will be closed to all traffic from 4 a.m. to 11 a.m. Northbound traffic on Huguenot Road will be detoured north from Huguenot Road onto Chippenham Parkway to the Willey Bridge.

• Riverside Dr. will be closed from the Huguenot Bridge to Scottview Drive from 6 a.m. to Noon.

• Forest Hill Ave. westbound from Roanoke St. to Hathaway Rd. will be closed from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

• Semmes Ave. Westbound from Cowardin Avenue to Forest Hill Avenue will be closed from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m. No parking will be allowed from 3 a.m. through 5 p.m. Saturday

• Belvidere Street northbound at Grace Street will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The recommended detour will be east on Byrd Street to the Downtown Expressway eastbound to I-95 northbound.

• Main Street, from Belvidere to Boulevard will be closed from 4 a. m. to 1 p.m. No parking will be allowed from 3 a.m. through 5 p.m. Saturday

• Belvidere Street southbound between Broad and Grace Streets will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The recommended detour for southbound Belvidere Street will be onto I-95 southbound just north of Leigh Street

• The southbound exit ramp from the Powhite Parkway to Forest Hill Avenue and the northbound entrance ramp from westbound Forest Hill Avenue onto the Powhite Parkway will be closed to traffic from 8 a.m. until approximately 11 a.m.

• There will also be numerous and frequent lane closures along the Marathon, Half Marathon & 8K routes, including closures on: Broad Street, North Boulevard, Monument Avenue, Grove Avenue, Maple Avenue, Cary Street Road, River Road, Scottview Drive, Forest Hill Avenue, Semmes Avenue, the Lee Bridge, Belvidere Street, West Main Street, Hermitage Road, Fauquier Avenue, Brook Road.

RPD Proud to Welcome New Communications Officers

The 9-1-1 dispatchers are the first responders you rarely see, but always hear. And tomorrow, Chief Bryan T. Norwood and the Richmond Police Department are pleased to welcome the 12 new communications officers as they graduate from the Division of Emergency Communications Academy.




“These communications officers are trained to handle incredibly stressful situations quickly all while coordinating communicating with the appropriate police, fire and emergency response units,” Acting DEC Capt. Tom Nolan said.



The graduation will be at 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 W. Graham Road. The public and the media are invited to attend.



Graduating from the 16th and 17th DEC Academies are:



• Chris Bolling of Richmond

• Julia Correa of New York

• Jared Crain of Richmond

• Nicole Fowlkes of Baltimore

• Stacy McKinley of Richmond

• William Drewery of Southampton County

• LaTrice Ellerbe of Richmond

• Ulrica Graham of Franklin County

• Carmen Martinez of New York

• Tonnii Oster of Prince George

• Cynthia Tucker of McKenney

• Laura Zicarelli of Prince William

Monday, November 5, 2012

Driver Identified in Fatal Accident

The driver in yesterday’s single-vehicle fatal accident has been identified as Antany L. Turner, 29, of the 3400 block of Walmsley Boulevard.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., Turner was operating a four-door Buick at a high rate of speed westbound on Hopkins Road near Pompey Spring Road when he lost control of the vehicle.

The car crossed the eastbound lanes, collided with a black Lexus, which had been parked on a property, flipped and struck a home in the 2800 block of Hopkins Road.

The home was not occupied at the time of the collision.

Turner was the lone occupant of the vehicle.

Business Watch Promotes Proactive Commerce Safety


WHAT:
Business Watch Forum


WHEN:
9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7


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


BACKGROUND:
In an effort to assist local business owners in better protecting their commercial property, employees and patrons, the Richmond Police Department’s Community Care Crime Prevention Team will host a Business Watch Forum on crime prevention strategies.

Richmond Police and area loss prevention specialists will provide details for business owners to harden themselves as a target for robbers, burglars and shoplifters. Officers also will have information for delivery drivers who conduct business at various hours and locations throughout the city.

For more information on the Business Watch Forum, please contact Community Care Officer Alice Snell at (804) 646-5061.

Mechanicville Turnpike Fatality


The Richmond Police Department is investigating an incident in which a bicyclist was killed Thursday afternoon.

The bicyclist, Luther M. Jefferson, 62, of the 1800 block of Maddox Street, was riding southbound on Mechanicsville Turnpike when he and a box truck collided near the I-64 off ramp.

The incident occurred at 3:34 p.m.

Jefferson was transported to VCU Medical Center where he died several hours later.

The Medical Examiner will determine the exact cause of death.

The Department is still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Crash Analysis and Reconstruction Team has completed its work at the scene but investigators have several more eyewitness interviews to conduct before they consult with the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office regarding possible charges.

The driver of the box truck was uninjured. He will not be identified unless charges are filed.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Vehicle into Building Fatal Accident

At approximately 11:30 a.m. the Richmond Police Department was called to Hopkins Road for a fatal vehicle collision.

A four-door Buick was traveling at a high rate of speed westbound on Hopkins Road when the driver lost control of the vehicle near Pompey Spring Road. The Buick lost control, crossed the eastbound lanes, collided with a black Lexus which was parked on a property and flipped and collided with a home in the 2800 block of Hopkins Road.

The home was not occupied at the time of the collision.

The vehicle driver, a male in his late 20’s, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the lone occupant of the vehicle.

There was no sign of alcohol being a factor of this incident, but the investigation is ongoing. The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.

The Richmond Police Department Crash Team is investigating the incident.

The 2800 block of Hopkins Road was closed for one hour to accommodate the investigation.