Police Seek Help to Identify Man

Richmond Police has developed a composite sketch in an ongoing effort to identify a man found deceased last Wednesday.

Around 9:30 a.m. Nov. 23, a man was found deceased in a wooded area near the 2000 block of Mecklenburg Street in the Whitcomb neighborhood. There was no identification on his body and no signs of foul play.

The composite sketch shown at right provides the best resemblance of the man. He is a black male between 20 and 30 years of age. He was wearing a long-sleeve black shirt, blue jeans and black boots. His hair is dreadlocked. He has an old scar on his forehead and his left wrist was bandaged.

If anyone is aware of a missing person matching this description or recognizes the face in the composite sketch, please contact Detective Mac Adams at 646-3930.

Persons with information also may 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.

Holiday Events Close Some Streets; Restrict Parking

Richmond’s holiday season begins this weekend with the Grand Illumination on Friday, Dec. 2, and the Dominion Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 3. 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 south side of East Cary Street between Ninth 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 8^th 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 7^th Street.

Parking restrictions will be enforced from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday along the following streets:

• Broad
• DMV Drive
• Leigh
• Harrison
• Lodge
• Marshall
• Grace
• Sixth
• Seventh
• Eighth

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.

Citizens should also be aware of the Lincoln movie filming around the Capitol area and Governor’s mansion. Starting at 10 a.m. Friday and continuing through 2 a.m. Saturday, there will be intermittent traffic control, such as stopping all traffic for brief periods of time, on East Broad Street between 9^th and 14^th Street.

Motorists coming into the city on the Downtown Expressway should also be aware that ongoing construction has reduced the number of lanes into the city at night to three lanes.

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

Recognize This Shooting Suspect Vehicle?

Richmond Police need the public’s help to identify a vehicle used during a shooting last week in Gilpin Court. The vehicle can be seen in the below photos.

At approximately 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, a male reported he was shot twice by an unknown person traveling in a brown Chevy Blazer in the 1300 block of St. Peter Street. The victim’s injuries are not life-threatening.

Anyone with information about this vehicle or this crime is asked to call Detective Christina Benkahla at (804) 646-6795 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.

Gilmer Street Persons of Interest Sought

Richmond Police detectives need the public’s help to identify two men involved in the robbery of two VCU students at gunpoint on Gilmer Street recently

Two persons of interest are pictured in the below photos using the victims’ stolen credit cards.

At approximately 2:45 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, two men were walking in the 400 block of Gilmer Street when they were robbed at gunpoint by two unknown men. Detectives also believe two additional men acted as lookouts during the robbery. The suspects stole the victims’ iPhones, credit cards and small amount of cash

The two primary suspects are described as black males, about 5’8” to 5’10” with a thin to medium build. They were last seen wearing dark clothing and fled the scene on foot.

Anyone with information about these individuals or this crime is asked to call Detective Todd Perseghin at (804) 646-3103 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both methods are anonymous.

Arrest Made in Weekend Homicides

The Richmond Police Department has cleared the two homicides from the past weekend with the arrest of an individual. The suspect was identified and arrested yesterday afternoon without incident.

The suspect in both homicides is a 16-year-old male. He is charged with two counts of murder, two counts of robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

“Our Major Crimes detectives worked through the weekend to resolve both homicides, investigating leads and processing evidence,” Major Steve Drew said. “With cooperation and assistance from citizens in the community, we quickly developed a suspect and we were able to make this arrest. We would like to thank the citizens for their ongoing support of Richmond Police and our efforts.”

The first homicide occurred around 8:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25. Officers responding to a report of a person shot at the BP at 1 Westover Hills Blvd. found Blaine Tyler, 48, of the 4000 block of Midlothian Turnpike with a gunshot wound. Tyler died at the scene.

In the second homicide, Richmond Police received several calls for random gunfire in the 1700 block of Edwards Avenue around 2:51 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. Officers investigating the calls found Pierre Walter Cosby, 32, shot to death inside a car. Cosby lived in the 2500 block of Columbia Street.

The investigation in both homicides remains ongoing. Anyone who has additional information that can contribute to the prosecution of these cases is asked to call Detective Arcellious Demery at 646-5999, Detective John Bandy at 646-3878 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Movie Filming to Close Several Downtown Streets

The Richmond Police Department asks motorists to be aware of the following major street closures and traffic disruptions in the downtown area in the next few weeks.

Because of the Lincoln movie filming around the Capitol area and Governor’s mansion, the following streets will be closed or traffic stopped intermittently during the designated times:

On Tuesday, Nov. 29:
• There will be intermittent traffic control, such as stopping all traffic for brief periods of time, on East Broad Street between 9th and 14th Street from noon to midnight

On Wednesday, Nov. 30:
• There will be intermittent traffic control, such as stopping all traffic for brief periods of time, on East Broad Street between 9th and 14th Street from noon to midnight

On Thursday, Dec. 1:
• Ninth Street from East Main to East Broad streets will be closed from 9 a.m. to midnight
• Bank Street from 9th to Governor streets will be closed from 9 a.m. to midnight
• There will be intermittent traffic control, such as stopping all traffic for brief periods of time, on East Broad Street between 9th and 14th Street from noon to midnight
• There will be intermittent block closures and traffic control, such as stopping all traffic for brief periods of time, on East Grace Street, East Broad Street, East Franklin Street and 8th Street around the Capitol area from noon to midnight
On Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3:
• There will be intermittent traffic control, such as stopping all traffic for brief periods of time, on East Broad Street between 9th and 14th Street from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

On Tuesday, Dec. 6:
• Bank Street from 9th to Governor streets will be closed from 9 a.m. to midnight

On Wednesday, Dec. 7:
• Ninth Street will be closed from East Main to East Broad streets from 9 a.m. to midnight
• There will be intermittent traffic control, such as stopping all traffic for brief periods of time, on East Broad Street between 9th and 14th Street from 9 a.m. to midnight
• There will be intermittent traffic control, such as stopping all traffic for brief periods of time, on Bank Street from 9th to Governor streets from 9 a.m. to midnight
• There will be intermittent traffic control, such as stopping all traffic for brief periods of time, on East Broad Street between 9th and 14th Street from 9 a.m. to midnight

On Thursday, Dec. 8:
• Bank Street will be closed from 9th Street to Governor street from 10 a.m. to midnight
• Ninth Street will be closed from East Broad Street to East Main Street from 10 a.m. to midnight
• There will be intermittent traffic control, such as stopping all traffic for brief periods of time, on East Broad Street between 9th and 14th streets from 10 a.m. to midnight

On Friday, Dec. 9:
• Bank Street will be closed from 9th Street to Governor street from 10 a.m. to midnight
• Ninth Street will be closed from East Broad Street to East Main Street from 10 a.m. to midnight
• There will be intermittent traffic control, such as stopping all traffic for brief periods of time, on East Broad Street between 9th and 14th streets from 10 a.m. to midnight
• There will be intermittent block closures and traffic control, such as stopping all traffic for brief periods of time, on East Franklin and East Grace streets near the Capitol area from 10 a.m. to midnight

On Monday, Dec. 12:
• Ninth Street from East Main Street to East Broad Street will be closed from 6 a.m. to midnight
• Bank Street from 9th Street to Governor Street will be closed from 6 a.m. to midnight

Help Needed to Identify Man

Richmond Police needs the public’s assistance identifying a man found deceased on Nov. 23.

Around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, a man was found deceased in a wooded area near the 2000 block of Mecklenburg Street in the Whitcomb neighborhood. There was no identification on his body and no signs of foul play.

The deceased is a black male between 20 and 30 years of age. He was wearing a long-sleeve black shirt, blue jeans and black boots. His hair is dreadlocked. He has an old scar on his forehead and his left wrist was bandaged.

If anyone is aware of a missing person matching this description, please contact Detective David Burt at 646-3913.

Persons with information also may 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.