Fas Mart Robber Sought

Fas Mart Robber Sought

The Richmond Police Department needs the public’s help to identify and find the man in the sent surveillance video who robbed a convenience store this morning.

At approximately 7:22 a.m., a man walked into the Fas Mart at 1201 Westover Hills Boulevard and robbed the business at gunpoint.

The suspect is described as a black male with facial hair in his 30s or 40s who is approximately 6’0” to 6’3”. He was wearing a black sweatshirt and a black 'balaclava'-style one-hole ski cap.

He is also suspected of robbing the Fas Mart at 2107 Semmes Ave. on Dec. 20.

Anyone with any information about the identity of this man or this crime 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.

7-Eleven Robbery Suspect Sought

7-Eleven Robbery Suspect Sought

The Richmond Police Department needs the public’s help to identify and find the man in the attached surveillance photo who robbed a convenience store yesterday.

At approximately 10:30 p.m. last night, a man walked into the 7-Eleven at 2001 W. Broad St. and robbed the business at gunpoint.

The suspect is described as a thin black male in his late 20s who is approximately 6 feet tall and was last seen wearing a black coat, black stocking cap, black sunglasses, blue jeans and light colored shoes.

Anyone with any information about the identity of this man or this crime is asked to call Detective Patrick Ripley at 646-1165 or 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.

Fas-Mart Robber Sought

The Richmond Police Department needs the public’s help to identify and find the man in the attached surveillance photo who robbed a convenience store this morning.

At approximately 11:55 a.m. today, a man walked into the Fas-Mart at 2107 Semmes Ave. and robbed the business at gunpoint.

The suspect is described as a black male with facial hair in his 30s or 40s who is approximately 6’0” to 6’3” and was last seen wearing gray sweatshirt with the phrase “Seniors 2013” on it as well as jeans and a black hat.

Anyone with any information about the identity of this man or this crime 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.

Missing Man Sought

The Richmond Police Department needs the public’s help to locate a man who has gone missing.

Dennis B. Bullock, 54, was last seen in the 3200 block of 5^th Avenue around 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 10. Bullock doesn't drive, and his family says it is unlike him to disappear like this.

Anyone who has any information about Bullock’s whereabouts is asked to call the Richmond Police Department’s Information Desk at (804) 646-0400 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.

Richmond Police Receive Funds from Attorney General

The Richmond Police Department proudly accepted a check this week from Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, funds that will be used to enhance its public safety mission.

“We are grateful to the attorney general for his generosity,” Police Chief Ray J. Tarasovic said. “We have already earmarked this money for several worthwhile projects.”

Chief Tarasovic accepted a check worth $1,494,787 from the attorney general at a brief ceremony Wednesday in Richmond. The Department will spend the money in several ways:

• K-9 Training & Community Complex       $1,184,177
• Tactical Body Armor – SWAT Unit            $101,800
• Driving Simulator                                         $175,395
• Accreditation Software                                $33,415

The Department is one of several dozen law enforcement agencies in Virginia to receive money from a $115 million dollar settlement the attorney general’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit received in the 2012 Abbott Labs fraud investigation.

Chamberlayne Avenue Homicide

Within hours of last night’s homicide and stabbing, the Richmond Police Department has made an arrest in the case.

At approximately 4:09 p.m. Thursday, officers received a call for a person down in an apartment complex in the 4300 block of Chamberlayne Avenue. Officers arrived on scene within minutes and found two adult females suffering from apparent stab wounds.

Both women were taken to the hospital with life threatening injuries.  Della C. Scott, 44, of Cumberland, succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. The second victim, a 44-year-old female, is now in stable condition.

At approximately 2 a.m. today, detectives arrested Benjamin P. Dancy, 50, of the 1600 block of Tyler Street, and charged him with two counts of robbery, two counts of use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and credit card fraud in connection with this incident.  Additional charges are pending. A mugshot is below and attached.

Anyone with any information about this crime 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.

Clarion Hotel Robber Sought

The Richmond Police Department needs the public’s help to identify and find the man in the attached surveillance photos who robbed a hotel Monday night.

At approximately 7 p.m. on Dec. 16, a man walked into the Clarion Hotel at 3207 N. Boulevard and robbed the clerk at gunpoint.

The suspect is described as a black male in his late 20s, approximately 6’0” with a skinny build. He was last seen wearing large frame sunglasses and a hat with flaps that covered his ears. He was also wearing a black jacket, jeans and white shoes.

Anyone with any information about the identity of this man or this crime 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.

New Generations Federal Credit Union Robber Sought

The Richmond Police Department needs the public’s help to identify and find the man in the attached surveillance photos who robbed a credit union yesterday.

At approximately 3:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17, a man walked into the New Generations Federal Credit Union at 1700 Robin Hood Road and passed the teller a note demanding money. He did not display a weapon and left on foot in an unknown direction.

The suspect is described as a black male with a dark complexion, thin beard and medium build. He appears to be in his mid- to late-30s and between 5’0” and 6’2.” He was last seen wearing a black stocking cap, black sunglasses, a black jacket with a white shirt underneath, dark jeans and white shoes.

Detectives believe he may be connected to other bank robberies in the area.

Anyone with any information about the identity of this man or either crime 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.

Arrest, Victim Identified in North 24th Street Homicide

Arrest, Victim Identified in North 24th Street Homicide

The Richmond Police Department has made an arrest in a death investigation that has been reclassified to a domestic-related homicide.

At approximately 10:22 p.m., last Friday, officers were called to the 1100 block of North 24th Street for the report of a person down.

Officers responded and found Virginia L. Thomas, 45, whose last known address was in the 00 block of East 30th Street, with an apparent head injury unresponsive in a rear yard of a house. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police arrested Andre E. Taylor, 43, of no fixed address, and charged him with second degree murder. His photo is attached.

Detectives originally opened a death investigation but have since reclassified it as a homicide.

Detectives ask anyone with further information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. They can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637 with the keyword ‘ITip’ followed by the information. Both methods are anonymous.

Arrest Made, Victim Identified in Second Avenue Homicide

Arrest Made, Victim Identified in Second Avenue Homicide

The Richmond Police Department has identified the victim and made an arrest in Saturday's homicide.
Tremayne R. Thompson, 23, of the 2200 block of Maplewood Avenue, was found shot and unresponsive in a side yard of a house in the 2000 block of Second Avenue.

Police have arrested Malcolm L. Bailey, 20, of the 2000 block of Second Avenue and charged him with conspiracy to commit murder. His photo is attached.

At approximately 12:48 a.m., officers were called to that location for a report of shots fired. Thompson was transported to VCU Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives ask anyone with further information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. They can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637 with the keyword ‘ITip’ followed by the information. Both methods are anonymous.

Third Avenue Death Investigation

Third Avenue Death Investigation

Richmond Police detectives are in the early stages of a death investigation that occurred last night.

At approximately 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, officers received a call of shots fired in the 2400 block of Third Avenue. Officers quickly arrived on scene and found two males suffering from gunshot wounds. Both males were transported to VCU Medical Center with injuries that were considered life threatening. Kevin L. Dickerson Jr., 20, of the 4000 block of Midlothian Turnpike, was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Detectives ask anyone with 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.

Attempted BB&T Bank Robber Sought

The Richmond Police Department needs the public’s help to identify and find the man in the attached surveillance photos who tried to rob a bank yesterday.

At approximately 4:55 p.m. Wednesday, a man walked into the BB&T Bank at 5707 Patterson Ave. and passed the teller a note demanding money. He did not display a weapon, and left without getting any money. He was last seen walking south toward Libbie Avenue.

Detectives believe this is the same man who robbed the Gateway Bank, 5300 Patterson Ave., at 4:45 p.m. on Dec. 4 and the SunTrust Bank, 3022 W. Broad St., at 3:36 p.m. on Nov. 21.

The suspect is described as a black male in his mid-20’s, approximately 6’3” with a slim build. He was last seen wearing dark jeans, a dark coat over a light-colored dress shirt, a cap over a baseball cap with a red brim and sunglasses. He also had something covering the fingertips of both hands.

Anyone with any information about the identity of this man or these crimes 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.

East 34th Street Homicide

Richmond Police detectives are in the early stages of a homicide investigation that occurred on the city’s Southside last night.

At approximately 6:27 p.m. Thursday, officers received a call for a person down in the 100 block of East 34^th Street. Officers arrived on scene within one minute and found Samuel L. McFail Jr., 29, of the 3400 block of Peyton Avenue, dead of an apparent gunshot wound.

Detectives believe the crime may be robbery related, and ask 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. 

Richmond Police Promote Five Officers Within Its Rank

The Richmond Police Department is pleased to announce the promotions of five officers to the ranks of sergeant at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Dec. 6, at the Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 W. Graham Road.

Chief Ray J. Tarasovic is proud to recognize the achievements of the officers who will now take on the new responsibilities of first-line supervisors.

“These officers have already shown immense ability and a self-generated drive towards leadership,” he said. “They have led their fellow officers with a determined work ethic, problem-solving skills and teamwork. I look forward to these professionals growing even further sergeants.”

Being promoted to the rank of sergeant are:

1.    Robert Fleming

2.    James Killingsworth

3.    Roy Pullen

4.    Stanley Sutton

5.    Andy Wilkins

The public and members of the media are invited to attend.

Sgt. Fleming has 14 years of experience in the Department. He loves motorcycles and has spent the past eight years in the Department’s Motorcycle Unit. During his career he has met two Presidents, two Vice Presidents, the Queen of England and Steven Spielberg.

Sgt. Killingsworth has 12 years of experience in the Department, and has been active with the Department’s the Police Athletic League for most of that time, helping to guide the city’s youth and build position relationships in the community.

Sgt. Pullen has been with the Richmond Police for the past 14 years and has spent most of his time in Second Precinct where he rose to the rank of detective, focusing on robberies, burglaries and other property crimes. As a licensed Master Captain, he is also certified to operate yachts, which would explain why he loves to be on the water.

Sgt. Sutton has been with the Department for eight years, and we look forward to his safe return from military leave. Most recently assigned to Second Precinct, Sutton’s defining characteristic, his lieutenant says, is his professionalism. When Sutton is involved with a project, assignment or operation – the result is always, 'Mission Accomplished.' The Marine Corps has the benefit of Sutton's skills and passionate service at this time – but the Department will again be benefitting soon enough.

Sgt. Wilkins brings 22 years of experience at the Department to his new role.  He has worked in First and Fourth Precinct patrol divisions as well as the Downtown Bike Unit and the School Resource Office program among many other assignments. 

Richmond’s Photo Red Light Enforcement Program Begins

WHAT:                       Photo Red Light Enforcement Begins with a 30-Day Warning Period

WHEN:                      10:30 a.m., Monday, December 2, 2013

WHERE:                    Elkhardt & Hull Streets

BACKGROUND:     The Richmond Police Department wants to make the public aware of the photo red light enforcement that will begin Monday, December 2^nd at the intersection of Elkhardt and Hull streets. It will begin with a 30-day warning period. The initiative is designed to increase public safety and reduce the number of red light/speeding-related collisions.

WHY:                         A 2011 study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found fatal crash rates involving red light running were reduced by 24 percent in the 14 largest U.S. cities using safety cameras from 2004-2008.  During that time, 159 lives were saved in those cities because of the cameras, and 815 lives could have been saved had red light cameras been used in every large city in the U.S. during those years. The use of cameras is proven to substantially reduce the number of red light-related /speeding traffic violations, as well as the number of red light /speeding-related collisions and injuries.