New Year’s Eve Safety

December 28, 2018

The Richmond Police Department is asking the public to plan to stay safe during this New Year’s Eve holiday weekend.

If you plan to drink alcohol remember – impairment begins with the first drink.

Plan ahead to make it home safely:

        1.       Select a designated driver

        2.       Call a taxi or a ride-sharing service

        3.       Take GRTC’s PULSE bus for free – 6 p.m. until 1:30 a.m.

        4.       Walk

               a.       Be aware of your surroundings

               b.       Stay in pairs or groups

               c.       Avoid alleyways and poorly lit areas

Officers from every unit of the Richmond Police Department will be focused on public safety, working to crack down on motorists who are driving while impaired as well as incidents of ‘celebratory’ gunfire.

Officers and detectives will staff all four precincts in the city based on the analysis of the previous year’s data on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day incidents.

The Department also reminds citizens that firing a gun in the city limits is illegal and dangerous. Officers throughout the city will be responding to calls of random gunfire and will identify offenders and make arrests.

If you see suspicious activity, call 911 immediately.

Stay alert through the evening – and have a Happy New Year!

Suspect Sought in Shockoe Bottom Beating and Robbery

December 28, 2018

The Richmond Police Department is asking for help from the general public to identify a suspect who beat and robbed a man earlier this month in Shockoe Bottom.

The attack occurred in the 2200 block of East Broad Street in the early morning hours of Wednesday, December 19^th.

RPD detectives have determined through video surveillance images and eyewitness accounts that the attacker left with the victim from Club Rouge, robbed him of several hundred dollars, and then returned to the club where he was seen with an unknown female.

A hat worn by the suspect was found at the scene of the attack. It is a blue and gray baseball cap with the word “DOPE” on the front.

Detectives ask anyone with any information about the identity of the suspect or the woman seen in his company to call First Precinct Detective J. Mitchell at (804) 646-0569 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000, online at www.7801000.com. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Suspect Sought in Accommodation Street Carjacking

December 21, 2018

Richmond Police detectives need the public’s help to identify the suspect in the attached photo who is believed to be connected to a carjacking that occurred on Monday evening.

At approximately 10:30 p.m. on Monday, December 17, an unknown male held a victim at gunpoint at the intersection of Accommodation and Redd Streets. The suspect forced the victim to drive him to a nearby convenience store on Mechanicsville Turnpike and T Street to obtain money from an ATM. The victim was able to stall at the ATM until the suspect became frustrated and left in the victim’s vehicle.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect is asked to call First Precinct Detective J. Hewitt at (804) 646-0576 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Victim Identified in Hull Street Homicide

December 21, 2018

The Richmond Police Department has identified the victim of yesterday’s homicide on Hull Street as Antonio R. Chalkley, 33, of Richmond.

At approximately 10:14 a.m. yesterday, officers responded to the 2700 block of Hull Street for the report of a person down. When police arrived, they located Chalkley in an alley suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced at the scene.

The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.

Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to call Major Crimes Detective D. Cuffley at (804) 646-6795 or contact Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

New Assignments at the RPD

December 21, 2018

The Richmond Police Department is pleased to announce new assignments for several Command Staff officers and one civilian.

“One of the strengths of the RPD is the outstanding quality of its officers and civilian employees,” said RPD Chief Alfred Durham. “As I retire, I know these new assignments will secure the progress we have made in the nearly four years I was chief. I congratulate all of them and wish them well.”

·         Deputy Chief William C. Smith – Acting Police Chief from Chief of Staff

·         Deputy Chief Sydney Collier – Operations from Operations/Area 1

·         Deputy Chief William Friday – Business Services from Finance

·         Major Roger Russell – Support Services from Operations/Area 2

·         Major Darrell Goins – Operations/Area 1 from Support Services

·         Major Sybil El-Amin Jones – Special Projects & Administration from Business Services

·         Major John O’Kleasky – Operations/Area 2 from Support Services/Special Operations

·         Captain Donald Davenport – Support Services/Special Operations from Major Crimes

The newly promoted lieutenants and sergeants have yet to be given new assignments.

Arrests Made in Bank Robbery on Three Chopt Road

December 19, 2018

Third Precinct officers and detectives from the Richmond Police Department have announced arrests which quickly followed yesterday’s bank robbery in the West End.

At approximately 10:47 a.m., officers responded to the 7100 block of Three Chopt Road for the report of a male robbing a bank. Officers, with the assistance of the Metro Aviation Unit, identified a suspect vehicle and made a traffic stop at the intersection of Lombardy and Leigh streets.

A male, Peonte S. Spencer, 38, of the 2100 block of Wright Avenue, and a female, Sharhonda D. Lee, 36, also of the 2100 block of Wright Avenue, were taken into custody without incident. Their photos are not available at this time.

Detectives believe Spencer is also responsible for several crimes in Richmond earlier this year, including a commercial robbery in April, a bank robbery in April, a bank robbery in June and a commercial robbery earlier this month.

After consultation with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, detectives have handed Spencer and the investigations over to the FBI for prosecution.

Lee has been charged with weapons violations.

Detectives ask anyone with information about this incident or earlier incidents to call Third Precinct Detective R. Nixon at (804) 646-1165 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or online at www.7801000.com. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smart phones may also be used. All three Crime Stoppers methods of contact are anonymous.

RPD to Promote 12 Officers and one Civilian from within its Ranks

December 19, 2018

The Richmond Police Department is pleased to announce the promotions of 12 officers and one civilian to the ranks of deputy chief, major, captain, lieutenant and sergeant. RPD Chief Alfred Durham and Richmond City Chief Administrative Officer Selena Cuffee-Glenn will lead the promotions ceremony at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 20 at the Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 W. Graham Road.

Promoted to the rank of deputy chief are:

1.    Sydney Collier

2.    William Friday

3.    William Smith

Being promoted to the rank of major is:

1.    John O’Kleasky

Being promoted to the rank of captain is:

1.    Donald Davenport

Being promoted to the rank of lieutenant are:

1.    Anthony Jackson

2.    Brian Prendergast

Being promoted to the rank of sergeant are:

1.    Charles Baldwin

2.    Jon Bridges

3.    Josiah Deltoro

4.    Brady McWhirter

5.    Ryan Nixon

6.    Kristie Reed

The public and media are encouraged to attend.

Victim Identified in Coalter Street Homicide

December 17, 2018

The Richmond Police Department has identified the victim in Friday night’s homicide as Antoine R. Orange, 27, of the 5800 block of Orcutt Lane.

At approximately 11:50 p.m., officers were called to the 1300 block of Coalter Street for the report of a person shot.

Officers arrived and found Orange down and unresponsive in the parking lot of the complex. He had suffered an apparent gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.

Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to call Major Crimes Detective A. Coates at (804) 646-0729 or contact Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or at www.7801000.com. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Decatur Street Homicide Pictures

December 14, 2018

The Richmond Police Department is asking for help from the public to identify a person seen in pictures with a homicide victim a few hours before she was found.

The pictures shows an unidentified male walking with the victim, Dawn S. Dutcher, 50, of Richmond, in the 3200 block of Hull Street during the early morning hours of November 7th.  A few hours later, at approximately 7:45 a.m., Dutcher’s body was found a short distance away, in an alley of the 3300 block of Decatur Street.

Anyone who can identify the person in the pictures is asked to call Major Crimes Detective K. Hughes at (804) 646-3917 or contact Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or at www.7801000.com. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

RPD Mounted Unit Leader, Rio, to Retire

December 13, 2018

The stables won’t be the same without the “Big Guy”.

Standing at 16.1 hands (5 feet, 5 inches tall), Rio, a brown-colored thoroughbred cross and natural-born leader of the Richmond Police Department Mounted Unit horses, is retiring.

The Department will celebrate Rio’s service to Richmond with a brief ceremony following the Blessing of the Animals which takes place noon on Friday, December 14, at the Morgan Fountain in Shockoe Slip. The blessing event is produced by the Friends of the Richmond Mounted Squad. The Department’s Mounted and K-9 units will participate. The public is invited to bring their leashed or caged pets to the event.

“We tend to forget the tremendous impact working animals provide to the safety of a city,” said Mounted Sergeant Jeremy Nierman. “This is a great event because it is important to acknowledge the vital assistance the horses and K-9s provide to Richmond – and no horse has done a more remarkable job than Rio.”

Normally a horse with the Department’s Mounted Unit provides eight to 10 years of service. Rio has been with the unit for over 12 years and has been a leader ever since his arrival from a farm in Amelia County when Rio was six years old.

“His calming presence has been a benefit to the other horses in the barn and in the field,” said Sergeant Nierman, “He is especially reassuring to new horses when they arrive. Rio can be a bit of a jerk to a rider at first…but once you bond with him there is no better mount with which to ride. I consider him family and will miss seeing him every day.”

This will be Rio’s final assignment before he retires to a farm in Chesterfield where he will join his former stable-mate from the RPD Mounted Unit, Beau.

RPD to Expand Crisis Intervention Training to 100 Percent of Officers

December 7, 2018

The Richmond Police Department is poised to expand its Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) with the goal of having every one of its officers CIT-certified within two years. The training, conducted in partnership with the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA), teaches officers how to deal with people in crisis.

“Ten years ago when we started, the RPD was one of the first police departments in the Commonwealth to train its officers in crisis intervention,” said RPD Chief Alfred Durham. “So far, we have trained approximately two-thirds of our force and now we will complete the process by training the rest. In addition, we will CIT-train all incoming recruits starting with the next class.”

“Being a police officer is challenging work, so it is critically important that our officers have the training and tools necessary to respond appropriately to any crisis they encounter,” said Mayor Levar. M. Stoney. “I applaud and appreciate the work of Chief Durham to set this plan in motion and move RPD to 100 percent CIT-certification.”

Within two years, every sworn officer will have received training. The plan will: 

• Add two additional CIT classes each year – from four to six
• Increase class enrollment as needed
• Train all RPD recruits following eight-weeks of Field Training

The CIT course covers a variety of issues that relate to people in crisis including substance abuse, mental illness and suicide prevention. There are several segments to the course including lectures, discussions and role playing.

Approximately 485 of the 587 RPD officers who have been trained remain on the force. They are the officers who are most likely to be called to crisis situations. The course has also been offered to 41 other mostly law enforcement agencies with 210 persons trained.

“One of the challenges we’ve faced is to keep up with attrition within the Department,” said Chief Durham. “That’s why we are constantly hiring and training new officers. CIT is no exception.”

Recently, two CIT-certified RPD officers were presented Bronze Valor Awards by the Retail Merchants Association for saving a man threatening suicide.

https://wtvr.com/2018/11/19/body-cam-video-shows-richmond-officers-save-suicidal-man-from-jumping-off-bridge/

Additional CIT information is available on the RPD website - www.richmondgov.com/police

Officer Involved Shooting Update

December 6, 2018

The Richmond Police Department has identified the person who died in yesterday’s officer involved shooting.  He is Anthony M. Edwards, 33, of the 7600 block of Oban Drive, Chesterfield, VA.

 The RPD officers who were involved in the incident have also been identified as:

·        Master Police Officer Thomas Davis, 21 years with the RPD

·        Master Police Officer David Torrence, 21 years with the RPD

In response to media requests regarding race:

·         Edwards is black and his three victims are black

·         Both RPD officers are white

The three stabbing victims are expected to recover.  They all knew their attacker who was a former boyfriend of one of the female victims.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Major Crimes Detective W. Thompson at (804) 646-3925 or they may contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000, www.7801000 or use the P3 app on a smartphone.  All three Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

The rank of Master Police Officer (MPO) is achieved by senior-level officers who have consistently demonstrated exceptional policing skills and leadership abilities through a variety of training and educational requirements.

Suspect Sought for Damaging Vehicle

December 6, 2018

Richmond Police detectives need the public’s help to identify the male in the photo who damaged a vehicle on Halloween night.

At approximately 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31, a large group of people gathered in the 400 block of Gilmer Street. Several people, including the suspect in the photo, climbed atop a parked vehicle and jumped on the car roof before leaping from the vehicle. There was over $5,000 of damage done to the car. Persons suspected of destruction of property that amounts to $1,000 or more can face a felony charge.

Detectives ask anyone who can identify this person or anyone else who damaged property that evening to call Fourth Precinct Detective B. Plaskett at (804) 646-6619 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000, online at www.7801000.com or by downloading and using the P3 Tips app on Apple and Android devices. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

RPD Investigates Fatal Officer Involved Shooting

December 5, 2018
The Richmond Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred this morning as officers were attempting to stop a knife-wielding man as he attacked a woman outside a house in the city’s Fan District.

At approximately 11:01 a.m., two RPD officers were called to the 2000 block of West Cary Street for a domestic incident described as a man with a knife.

The officers arrived and were directed to a house in the middle of the block. The entered and quickly moved through the house and out the back door where they encountered an adult male stabbing an adult female. A second victim, an adult male, was also present, bleeding from apparent stab wounds.

The officers ordered the attacker to drop the knife and stop the attack. He ignored those commands and continued to stab the woman. That’s when the officers discharged their weapons, striking him several times.

The man was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:47 a.m. His name will be released tomorrow.

The two stabbing victims at the scene were also transported to a local hospital for treatment of their wounds. A third stabbing victim, an adult female, self-transported to a local hospital for treatment. All three victims are expected to survive.

Although the investigation is in its early stages, detectives believe the incident began several minutes earlier when the attacker attempted to force his way into the house. The woman and two others in the house fled to a convenience store half a block away. The man followed them into the store and forced the woman back up the sidewalk and into the house.

The Department’s Force Investigation Team (FIT) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. They will interview the officers and other eyewitnesses, examine forensic evidence and review the body-worn camera videos. A report will then be submitted to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office after a review by the Chief of Police.

The two officers have been placed on administrative leave. They will be identified after a Risk Assessment has been conducted. While both officers discharged their weapons, it is unknown at this time if one or both officers struck the attacker.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Major Crimes Detective W. Thompson at (804) 646-3925 or they may contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000, www.7801000 or use the P3 app on a smartphone.  A three Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Community Walk in the Jackson Ward Neighborhood

December 4, 2018

WHAT:                     Richmond Police Department Community Walk

WHEN:                    5:00 p.m. TODAY, Dec.4, 2018

WHERE:                  Rite Aid Parking Lot, 520 W. Broad Street

BACKGROUND:     Chief Alfred Durham and Richmond Police Department officers will participate in a walk through Richmond’s Jackson Ward neighborhood at 5:00 p.m. today. During the walk, RPD officers will speak with community members about safety concerns they may have and hear how the Richmond Police Department can better serve their community.

                                 

                                “These walks are great ways to interact with the citizens of Richmond,” said Sector 413 Lt. James Roberts. “We will be reminding residents in the community to lock their car doors, keep all valuables out of sight and work together to reduce property crime.”

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

Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

Victim Identified in Raven Street Homicide

December 3, 2018

The Richmond Police Department has identified the victim in last night’s homicide in the East End as Yishawn Robinson, 17, of the 1900 block of Raven Street.

At approximately 11:00 p.m., an officer on routine patrol in the 1900 block of Raven Street was notified by a member of the public that there was a male down in the area.

The officer located Robinson who was down and unresponsive in a grass area between apartment buildings. He had suffered an apparent gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.

Detectives were called to the same block two hours earlier, at approximately 9 p.m., for the report of a person shot. Officers arrived and found a juvenile male who had suffered from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital with an injury that was not considered life threatening. Detectives believe the two cases are related.

Anyone with information about this homicide and shooting is asked to call Major Crimes Detective M. Young at (804) 646-3926 or contact Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or at www.7801000.com. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.