Missing Woman Found - Kayla Whetzel

 March 31, 2021

Kayla Whetzel, 18, who was reported missing last week, was located last night in a surrounding jurisdiction and is safe.

The Richmond Police Department would like to thank the public and members of the media for sharing her information.

“This was a team effort to locate Ms. Whetzel,” said Acting Major Rick Edwards. “We’d also like to thank  the officers and detectives in Third and Fourth Precincts, our HOPE Unit, and members of our Major Crimes Division who helped in the search for Kayla Whetzel.”

Precinct of the Year Flag-Raising

March 29, 2021

WHAT:                      Third Precinct raises the “Precinct of the Year” flag

WHEN:                      11 a.m. Tuesday, March 30

WHERE:                   301 S. Meadow St.   

BACKGROUND:     Chief Gerald M. Smith and Command Staff will present to Third Precinct the Crime Reduction Award flag, the annual recognition for the precinct which recorded the greatest yearly crime reduction. Precinct personnel and community members will gather as the flag is raised for display throughout the year.

“We continually measure each precinct and sector to gauge our effectiveness in the communities we serve – and in the past year Third Precinct was at the top of that list,” said Chief Gerald M. Smith. 

Third Precinct marked decreases in violent crime (-22%) and property crime (-14%) for an overall decrease in major crimes reported (-13%).

“This recognition is well-deserved,” said Third Precinct Commander Faith Flippo. “It reflects on the strategic, focused approach precinct supervisors implemented – and the dedication and hustle that the officers exhibited throughout a challenging year. This planning and execution not only decreased reports of violent crime but also was successful in combating quality-of-life issues such as theft from motor vehicle, which was down 20%. Detectives tirelessly investigate cases and patrol officers are continually reminding folks to remove valuables from their vehicles – and hopefully this downward trend will continue.”

Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

Driver Identified in Fatal Collision with GRTC Bus

The Richmond Police Department’s Traffic Crash Team is investigating a fatal collision between a vehicle and a GRTC bus that occurred Saturday night.

At approximately 8:23 p.m., officers were called to the 200 block of East Belt Boulevard for the report of a vehicle striking the rear of a GRTC bus. A sedan operated by Angela Gates, an adult female in her 30’s who was the sole occupant, was traveling northbound on East Belt Boulevard when it struck a stopped GRTC bus, causing damage to both vehicles and injury to Gates. Gates was transported to a local hospital where Saturday night she succumbed to her injuries. There were no reported injuries to the driver of the bus, who was the sole occupant.

The Traffic Crash Team is investigating and have determined that speed was a factor in the collision. The investigation continues.

Anyone with information about this collision is asked to call Traffic Crash Team Investigator J. Ozolins at (804) 646-8671 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

Missing Woman Sought

March 25, 2021

The Richmond Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing woman.

Kayla Whetzel, 18, was last seen in the Libbie Avenue and Monument Avenue area on Tuesday, March 23. There have also been reports that she was seen in the 3200 block of N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard.

Whetzel suffers from a medical condition and is in need of medication. There is a concern for her safety and she is not familiar with the Richmond area.

Whetzel is 5’1” tall, weighs approximately 180 pounds. Her photos are attached.

Anyone with information on Kayla Whetzel’s whereabouts is asked to call Major Crimes Detective J. Cartagena at (804) 337-4724 or Acting Major R. Edwards at 804-338-2439.

Suspects Sought in Commercial Armed Robbery on Broad Rock Boulevard

March 19, 2021

Richmond Police detectives are asking for the public’s help to identify the individuals in the attached photos who are the suspects in a commercial armed robbery that occurred early this morning.

At approximately 3:47 a.m. on Friday, March 19, three unknown suspects entered the 7-11 in the 2500 block of Broad Rock Blvd. Two of the suspects displayed a firearm. They demanded money from the cashier and stole undisclosed amount of money. The suspects then fled the scene.

Suspect #1: Last seen wearing black neck gaiter, blue shirt, black jacket, dark blue jeans, and white/blue shoes.

Suspect #2: Last seen wearing a light blue medical mask, black hoodie, dark jeans, and white shoes.

Suspect #3: Last seen wearing a light blue mask, black hoodie, blue jeans, and white shoes.

Anyone with information about the suspects’ identity is asked to call Second Precinct Detective J. Arze at (804) 646-8185 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.  The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used.  All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Suspect 1

Suspect 2

Suspect 3

Suspect Sought in Hit and Run

March 18, 2021

Richmond Police need the public's help to identify the suspect in the hit-and-run of a pedestrian that occurred last week in the Museum District.

At approximately 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9, a small dark colored sedan struck a pedestrian in the 1000 block of N. Thompson Street.

The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The vehicle fled the scene and was last seen heading east on W. Grace Street. A photo of the vehicle from security footage is attached.

Anyone with information to assist in this hit-and-run investigation is asked to call Detective J. DeBoard at (804) 646-1709 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

Victim Identified in Hull Street Road Homicide

March 17, 2021

Richmond Police detectives have identified the victim in Tuesday’s homicide on Hull Street as Marquez Warden, a male in his 20s.

At approximately 1:47 p.m., on Tuesday, March 16, officers were called to the 5700 block of Hull Street Road for the report of random gunfire. Officers arrived and investigated.

At approximately 1:58 p.m., Marquez Warden was dropped off at a local hospital in a personal vehicle. He was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound and succumbed to the wound at the hospital.

The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.

Detectives have determined Marquez Warden was in the Hull Street Road area when the call for random gunfire occurred.

Anyone with information is asked to call Major Crimes Detective P. Mansfield at (804) 646-6996 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

Community Walk in the Fairfield Neighborhood - Cancelled due to inclement weather

March 18, 2021

Good Morning,

Due to inclement weather, this afternoon’s community walk has been cancelled. We will notify you once a new date has been scheduled.

March 17, 2021

 

WHAT:                       Richmond Police Department Community Walk

 

WHEN:                       2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 18

 

WHERE:                     2506 Phaup Street   

 

BACKGROUND:         Sector 113 Lt. Mark Sims, other Richmond Police Department officers, and community leaders will walk at 2:30 p.m. today through the Fairfield neighborhood. During the walk, officers will speak with community members about safety concerns they may have and what they would like to see from the Richmond Police Department.

                                   

“We want residents to know that we are here to help and keep them safe, said Lt. Sims. ”We hope to bring awareness of the recent violence and drug use in the community and provide resources to neighbors.”

 

 

Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

Angela Drive Death Investigation

March 16, 2021

At approximately 5:08 p.m., officers responded to the 3700 block of Angela Drive for the report of a person shot. When police arrived, they found a juvenile male under the age of 13 suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

He was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. He was later pronounced at the hospital.

At this time, detectives are not seeking any suspects.

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

Anyone with information about this death investigation is asked to call Major Crimes Detective G. Bailey at (804) 646-6743 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

Missing Woman Located

March 16, 2021

Thanks to media outlets who shared the story about a missing woman, she has been found and is safe.

Richmond Police Department detectives were called to a local adult homeless center this morning following a news report about Minnie Sanders, who had been reported missing. The shelter alerted detectives Sanders was staying at the shelter.

“This is a happy conclusion to this story, as Ms. Sanders is now back with her family,” Chief Gerald M. Smith said. “Our detectives do an outstanding job in these important investigations about missing persons, and we thank the news media for their role in sharing the stories which can lead to results such as this.”

Sanders was last seen on March 3, 2021, prior to being located, and suffers from a medical condition so there was concern for her safety.

Missing Persons Date of Disappearance Campaign

March 16, 2020

WHAT:                 Missing Persons Date of Disappearance Campaign

WHEN:                 2:30 p.m. TODAY, March 16, 2021

WHERE:               Richmond Police Department Training Academy

BACKGROUND:  Mayor Levar M. Stoney joins Chief Gerald M. Smith to announce the campaign to mark the date of disappearance of Richmond’s missing persons.

“On the annual date of the disappearance of a member of our community we’ll send out reminders to the public about the ongoing investigations and the need for more information about those who have gone missing,” said Chief Gerald M. Smith. “Information – even years later – can assist investigators in solving these cases. We will highlight these open cases because solving them are important to the city, to the families and to the Department.”

Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

Missing Woman Sought

The Richmond Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing woman.

Minnie Sanders, 65, was last seen on March 3, 2021 walking in downtown Richmond after receiving medical treatment. She is known to frequent the area near Hopkins Road and East Belt Boulevard.

Sanders is 5’ 4” tall, weighs approximately 140 pounds and was last seen wearing a black jacket and eyeglasses. There is a possibility she is wearing a black and burgundy wig. Her photo is attached. Sanders suffers from a medical condition and there is concern for her safety.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call Major Crimes Detective Sergeant M. Mocello at (804) 646-6775.

Victim Identified in Chateau Drive Homicide, Arrest Made in Child Abduction

March 10, 2021 

Richmond Police detectives have identified the victim of a homicide on Friday, February 26 on Chateau Drive as Anthony Tobey, Jr., a male in his 30’s and have charged Kevin Degraffenreid, a male in his 40’s for abducting the victim’s child.

At approximately 9:12 p.m., February 26, officers took the report of the missing juvenile. Officers investigating the possible abduction responded at approximately 11:03 p.m. to a convenience store in the 3000 block of Hull Street when a member of the public called to report an unescorted child. Officers recovered the child and returned the child to the family.

The investigation led to the 2200 block of Chateau Drive where officers found Tobey, the father of the child, down and unresponsive in his apartment. 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.

Further investigation led to the identification of Degraffenreid, who is now in custody. He has been charged with abduction, grand larceny and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Additional charges are pending. His booking photo is attached.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call Major Crimes Detective J. Larry at (804) 646-5896 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

Victim Identified in St. Paul Street Homicide

March 3, 2021

Richmond Police detectives have identified the victim in Saturday’s homicide on St. Paul Street as Grayson Babbs, a male in his 20’s.

Saturday at approximately 2:11 a.m., Richmond Police Department officers were called to the 900 block of St. Paul Street for the report of a person shot. Officers arrived and found an adult male on the sidewalk, down and unresponsive, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.

Anyone with information is asked to call Major Crimes Detective G. Bailey at (804) 646-6743 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

Victim Identified in N. 26th Street Homicide

March 3, 2021

Richmond Police detectives have identified the victim in Monday’s homicide on N. 26^th Street as Corey Holmes, a male in his 30s.

At approximately 2:36 p.m. on Monday, March 1, officers responded to the 2200 block of N. 26^th Street for the report of     a shooting. When officers arrived, they located an adult male inside a residence 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 K. Hughes at (804) 646-3917 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

N. 26th Street Homicide

March 1, 2021

At approximately 2:36 p.m. today, officers responded to the 2200 block of N. 26^th Street for the report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they located an adult male inside a residence 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 K. Hughes at (804) 646-3917 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

St. Paul Street Homicide

 March 1, 2021

Saturday at approximately 2:11 a.m., Richmond Police Department officers were called to the 900 block of St. Paul Street for the report of a person shot. Officers arrived and found an adult male on the sidewalk, down and unresponsive, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives will release the identity of the victim following family notification.

 

The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.

 

Anyone with information is asked to call Major Crimes Detective G. Bailey at (804) 646-6743 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.