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.