Suspects Sought in Armed Robbery of Sandwich

Aug. 31, 2015

Richmond Police detectives need the public’s help to identify the male teens in the photos who are suspects in a robbery last week.

At approximately 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, several suspects followed a male out of a restaurant at West 12^th Street and Semmes Avenue, brandished a firearm and robbed the victim of a sandwich the victim had just purchased. There were no injuries.

The suspects fled on foot.

The images are from the business just moments before the robbery.

Detectives ask anyone with any information about these persons to call First Precinct Detective Brian Taylor at (804) 646-0689 or 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.

Charges Filed in Fatal Motorcycle Crash

August 28, 2015

The Richmond Police Department has filed a manslaughter charge against the driver of motorcycle that crashed last weekend in the city, killing a Richmond woman.

At approximately 4:50 p.m., Saturday, August 22, a motorcycle struck the rear of an automobile while both vehicles were travelling east bound in the 1700 block of E. Main St. A female passenger, Sarah Weeda, 33, of the 2000 block of Newman Road, Richmond, was seriously injured when she was thrown from the motorcycle. She died three days later at VCU Medical Center.

The driver of the motorcycle, Joe C. Durham, Jr. 37, of the 2000 block of Newman Road, Richmond, has been charged with Aggravated Involuntary Manslaughter, DUI, and Driving Outside of Restrictions.

Durham, Jr. is recovering from injuries suffered in the crash. The driver of the vehicle that was struck was not injured.

The RPD’s Crash Team conducted the investigation. The charges were brought after consulting with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

A booking photo is not yet available.

RPD Advises Caution in Craigslist Transactions

August 28, 2015

If a deal on Craigslist or another classified listing site looks too good to be true, then it probably is. The Richmond Police Department is asking citizens to exercise caution when using these websites and take steps to arrange a safe transaction.

More than 60 million people across the nation use Craigslist each month, and many buy and sell goods, furnishings or electronics. Recently, Richmond Police detectives have worked several cases in which a Craigslist transaction has turned into a robbery.

RPD urges citizens using Craigslist to scrutinize every sale and purchase. A little healthy suspicion just might be the key to avoiding a questionable or even dangerous encounter.

Here are a few things you can do to safeguard yourself and your transaction.

• Ask questions – Get as much information as you can up front. If the answers are suspect or you aren’t getting answers, the transaction may not be on the up-and-up.
• Meet in a well-lit, public place – Suggest a coffee shop or somewhere else with lots of foot traffic. Daylight hours are always best.
• Avoid transactions in someone’s home – Instead of inviting someone inside your home to see a large item, like a sofa, consider bringing the item outside if possible. 
• Don’t go alone – Take a friend to watch your back.
• Never go to a second location – If you arrive at the initial meeting place, and the seller asks that you follow them somewhere, that should be a red flag.
• Be aware of scams and other risks – Whether it’s someone asking you to wire money or inquiring about your personal information, be wary of anything that seems out of the ordinary. There’s also the risk that whatever you’re buying may not work, or worse, it could be stolen. 
• Don’t be afraid to walk away – If something seems fishy, trust your instincts. No material item is worth the risk.

 

If you’ve been the victim of a crime, report it by dialing 911 or calling the Richmond Police Department non-emergency line at 804-646-5100.

RPD Community Walk in Edgewood

August 27, 2015

WHAT:                   Richmond Police Department Community Walk

WHEN:                   5:30 p.m. today, August 27, 2015

WHERE:                 3800 block of North Avenue

BACKGROUND:     The RPD Command Staff will hold a Community Walk this evening along North Avenue and Alma Avenue in the Edgewood neighborhood of Richmond. During the walk, RPD officers will speak with neighbors about crime and environmental issues as they work to build a strong collaborative relationship with the community.

                                Sector 413 commander Lt. Keyshawn Manns said he wants to make the neighbors aware of a spike this year in Theft from Motor Vehicles. But he adds, “The good news is major crime in Edgewood is down 62% this year. That’s impressive!”

This event is the latest in a series of walks conducted on a monthly basis by the Richmond Police Department in neighborhoods throughout the city.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend. 

Richmond Police Honors Its Officers and Community Partners

Aug. 27, 2015

WHAT:                     Richmond Police Salute to Excellence Awards Ceremony

WHEN:                    3 p.m. Thursday, August 27, 2015

WHERE:                  Maggie Walker Governor’s School, 1000 N. Lombardy Street

BACKGROUND:    Richmond Police Department will honor its officers, civilian staff and some of its community partners for their crime reduction efforts, contributions and selfless acts to aid in making Richmond a better, safer city.

Two of the Department’s top awards, the Medal of Valor and the Life Saving Bar, will be presented to officers for their invaluable, courageous and heroic actions in the line of duty as well as off duty.

Some stories are better known than others, like that of Officer William Turner, who was shot while responding to a call for an emotionally disturbed person earlier this year. He will be receiving the Medal of Valor today.

But other stories, like that of Officer Andrew Nicholson, are less widely known. 

After hearing what sounded like a vehicle crash while working nearby in May, Officer Nicholson responded to find an SUV had struck a power pole and a sparking transformer was dangling perilously low over the vehicle. Despite warnings from bystanders, he rushed in and dragged the unresponsive driver to safety.

These and many more untold stories will be presented at the biannual Salute to Excellence awards ceremony. The Department recognizes the efforts of those who contribute to its successes twice a year.

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

Two Vehicle Crash at Midlothian Turnpike and Broad Rock Road

August 26, 2015

The Richmond Police Department is investigating a two vehicle crash that occurred yesterday in the city’s south side.

At approximately 5:24 p.m., August 25, a vehicle travelling eastbound on Midlothian Turnpike ran a red light and struck a vehicle travelling southbound on Broad Rock Road.

The driver of the vehicle that was struck, an adult female, was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the other vehicle, Ikieem Kilpatrick, 25, of the 3700 block of Dunston Avenue, Richmond, VA received minor injuries.

Prior to the crash, at approximately 5:21 p.m., RPD officers had stopped Kilpatrick at East 37^th Street and Larchmont Lane for reckless driving. Moments after an officer walked up to his vehicle Kilpatrick abruptly drove away turning eastbound on Midlothian Turnpike.

RPD officers initiated a pursuit at 5:22 p.m., following Kilpatrick down Midlothian Turnpike. They observed him throwing a handgun from his vehicle. The weapon was later recovered. They also observed him sideswipe another vehicle on Midlothian Turnpike.

Moments after the crash occurred, the officers arrived on the scene and took Kilpatrick into custody. After consulting with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, they will charge Kilpatrick with a variety of driving and firearm related offenses including:

• Felony Hit and Run
• Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
• Possession of a Stolen Firearm
• Reckless Handling of a Firearm
• Reckless Driving
• Operating a Vehicle with a Suspended Operators License

The RPD’s Crash Team and Office of Professional Responsibility were called to the scene to conduct investigations. Several eyewitnesses provided written statements as to what they saw.

A booking photo is not yet available.

Community Walk in the Fan District

August 25, 2015

WHAT:                   Richmond Police Department Community Walk

WHEN:                   5:30 p.m. today, August 25, 2015

WHERE:                 1900 block of West Cary Street

BACKGROUND:     The RPD Command Staff will lead a walk this evening along West Cary Street in the Fan District. During the walk the officers will speak with members of the community about safety concerns they may have and what they’d like to see more of from the Richmond Police Department.

After recent events in the neighborhood, the RPD wants to reach out to the community to address crime, environmental issues and engage the neighborhood to build a strong collaborative relationship.

This event is the latest in a series of walks conducted on a monthly basis by the Richmond Police Department in neighborhoods throughout the city.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

Victims Identified in North 35th Street Homicides

Aug. 24, 2015

The Richmond Police Department has identified the two victims in the North 35^th Street homicide investigation.

At approximately 11:09 p.m. last night, officers were called to the 700 block of North 35^th Street for the report of random gunfire. Officers arrived and found a female and a male in an alley behind a row of homes suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

The female, Rashamella L. Willingham, 26, of the 700 block of North 35^th Street, was dead at the scene. The male, William S. White, 31, of the 1600 block of North 27^th Street, was transported to a local hospital but died shortly after arrival.

The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.

Detectives are actively working leads in the case, and encourage anyone with information on this incident to call Major Crimes Detective Ed Aeschlimann at (804) 646-3351 or (804) 839-0959 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.

Victim Identified in Greenville Avenue Homicide

Aug. 24, 2015

The Richmond Police Department has identified the victim in the Greenville Avenue homicide investigation.

At approximately 9:45 a.m., Saturday, officers were called to the 1500 block of Greenville Avenue for the report of a person down. Officers arrived and found Almon L. Winston, 37, of the 2000 block of Maplewood Avenue, in a side yard of a home at the corner of Greenville and Dakota avenues dead from an apparent gunshot wound.

The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.

Detectives are actively working leads in the case, and encourage anyone with information on this incident to call Major Crimes Detective Michael Mocello at (804) 646-6775 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.

North 35th Street Homicides

Aug. 24, 2015

The Richmond Police Department is investigating two homicides that occurred in the East End.

At approximately 11:09 p.m. last night, officers were called to the 700 block of North 35^th Street for the report of random gunfire. Officers arrived and found a female and a male in an alley behind a row of homes suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

The female was dead at the scene. The male was transported to a local hospital but died shortly after arrival.

The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.

Major Crimes detectives canvassed the neighborhood in the area of North 35^th and M streets for information and Forensics detectives collected evidence from the scene. The investigation continues.

Detectives are actively working leads in the case, and encourage anyone with information on this incident to call Major Crimes Detective Ed Aeschlimann at (804) 646-3351 or (804) 839-0959 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 Graduates 111th Basic Recruit Class

Aug. 20, 2015

WHAT:                   Richmond Police 111^th Basic Recruit Class Graduation

WHEN:                   10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, 2015

WHERE:                 Cheek Theater, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard

BACKGROUND:     Chief Alfred Durham and the Richmond Police Department are proud to welcome 30 new officers to the force and invite the public to their graduation and swearing-in ceremony tomorrow.

The diverse recruit class includes a recruit from France, and other recruits from states like Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, North Carolina, and many from right here in Richmond. After 30 weeks of training at the Department’s Academy, the 111th Basic Recruit Class will immediately begin patrols, each assigned to a field training officer for the next eight weeks.

They will also begin just in time to assist with the Richmond Police Department’s activities surrounding the UCI bike race.

The entire Richmond Police Department would like to congratulate and welcome:

Brandon Ball

Christopher Brown

Darrian Carmichael

Jose Cartagena

Vincent Christel

Patrick Cooper

Edward Costley

Eugene Dandridge

Jesus Deras

Holly Donovan

Khalid Harris

Brianna Jackson

Akeem Jones

Jason Jones

Khaia Jones

Ryan Legros

Keegan Mills

Severin Odic

Ja’Kira Reid

Dominic Rivers

Raymond Rivera

Jovaughn Roberts

Tristan Rossetti

Christopher Saunders

Zachary Schebish

Adnan Selimovic

Mackinzey Shelstad

Jason Ward

Leary Wright

Ranna Zirakparvar

Road Closures for the Anthem Moonlight Ride

August 20, 2015

The Anthem Moonlight Ride this Saturday, August 22 will close several city streets during the evening.

The ride will begin at 8:00 p.m. and end about 11:00 p.m. at Sports Backers Stadium near the Diamond. The northbound lanes of the Boulevard from Leigh St. to Robin Hood Rd. will be closed starting at 7:00 p.m. to allow the riders to assemble.

The following streets/intersections will be closed for several hours starting at 8:00 p.m.

• Broad St. at Malvern St.                                         
• Monument Ave. & Lafayette St. to Staples Mill Rd. 
• The Boulevard from Robin Hood Rd. to the Henrico Co. line                
• Laburnum Ave. at Hermitage Rd.                  
• Monument Ave. at Westmoreland St.            
• Westwood Ave. to Saunders St. to Malvern St.

Vehicular traffic will be allowed to periodically cross some intersections at the direction of officers. Patterson Ave. is a good alternate route while Broad St. and Monument Ave. are closed.

More information about the Moonlight Ride can be found at the Sports Backers website: http://www.sportsbackers.org/events/moonlight-ride/

              Full Moon Course – 15 miles                         Half Moon Course – 8 miles

 

Missing Woman Sought

Aug. 19, 2015

The Richmond Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing woman, Eulalia L. Winston. Winston, 86, was last seen in the 1900 block of Q Street earlier today.

Winston possibly suffers from dementia and may be disoriented or appear confused.

Winston is a black female, five feet two inches tall, approximately 185 pounds with grey hair. She was last seen wearing a brown jacket, orange pants, blue socks and blue tennis shoes.

Anyone who sees Winston or has information about her whereabouts is asked to call First Precinct at (804) 646-3602 or the Department non-emergency number (804) 646-5100.

Richmond Man Sought in Arson and Attempted Murder

August 11, 2015

Richmond Police and Fire investigators are seeking information that could lead to the arrest of a Richmond man wanted in connection with a recent arson on Clarkson Road.

Brandon  S. Brown, 22, of the 3200 block of Logandale Avenue, is wanted on charges of arson and attempted murder. He is known to frequent Southwood Apartments on Clarkson Road and South Gate Apartments on Maury Street.

At approximately 8:32 p.m. on August 9, the Richmond Fire Department responded to a fire in the 1400 block of Clarkson Road, and found a fire burning inside an apartment. Officers from the Richmond Police Department responded to assist.

Investigation revealed that Brown reportedly set the fire inside the home after locking a woman inside another room of the apartment. The woman managed to escape the building uninjured.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts this person is asked to call Fire Investigator Andre Roberts at 804-646-6814 or 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.

 

            Brandon S. Brown

 

Victim Identified in Walmsley Boulevard Homicide

August 11, 2015

The Richmond Police Department has identified the victim of a homicide that occurred yesterday on Walmsley Boulevard.

Around 11:30 a.m. yesterday, RPD officers were called to the 3400 block of Walmsley Boulevard for a report of a person shot. When they arrived, Brandon A. Harvey, 26, of the 30 block of LaBrook Drive, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He succumbed to his injuries later that day at a local hospital.

While officers were on scene, a report came in of a second person shot in the same apartment complex. Officers responded and found a second man suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Detectives are actively working leads, and the case remains under investigation.

Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to call Detective Gary Bailey at 804-646-6743 or 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.

Eyewitnesses Sought in Death Investigation – Charges Expected

August 10, 2015

Richmond Police detectives are seeking eyewitnesses to an altercation that occurred last Friday afternoon at VCU Medical Center that resulted in the death of a Henrico man.

Phillip Whitaker, Jr., 64, of the 2300 block of Mill Road was pronounced dead on Sunday following the incident that took place at VCU’s Ambulatory Care Center Pharmacy, 417 North 11^th Street.

The Richmond Police Department has taken over the case at the request of Virginia Commonwealth University.

Whitaker was injured during an encounter with a contract security guard working at the VCU Medical Center. VCU Police handled the initial response. VCU Officers were called to the ACC Pharmacy scene at approximately 2:32 p.m. Friday where they discovered Whitaker unconscious on the floor with a serious head injury. They contacted RPD detectives as soon as doctors determined the injury to be life-threatening.

RPD Detectives have interviewed the guard and released him temporarily while they consult with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office regarding charges, which are expected. They have reviewed a surveillance video of the incident and have interviewed several eyewitnesses. They would also like to interview additional people who were present at the time and may have witnessed the assault.

People with information that may be helpful to the investigation are asked to call Major Crimes Detective Michael Gouldman at (804) 646-3915 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. 

RPD Update on Officer-Involved Shooting

August 6, 2015

WHAT:                        Chief Durham Addresses Officer-Involved Shooting

WHEN:                        1:00 p.m., Thursday, August 6, 2015

WHERE:                      Richmond Police Headquarters, 200 W. Grace Street

BACKGROUND:         Chief Alfred Durham will update city residents on a shooting that occurred yesterday evening, which injured an RPD officer and resulted in the death of the suspect.

                                Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

New Images of Person of Interest in Midlothian Turnpike Homicide

August 4, 2015

Richmond Police Department detectives have released new images of a person of interest in an investigation into a homicide that occurred on Midlothian Turnpike in May. Detectives need the public’s assistance to identify the man in the attached photos and video.

The images were captured at a local convenience store recently.

At approximately 3 p.m. Thursday, May 7, officers were called to the 6500 block of Midlothian Turnpike for the report of a shooting. In a parking lot they found Sylvester Nichols, 24, of the 6300 block of Glenway Drive, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The person of interest in the images is described as a black male approximately five feet eight inches tall.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Major Crimes Detective Marshall Young at (804) 646-3926 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.