Suspect Sought in Southwood Parkway Homicide

Richmond Police detectives need the public’s help to find Charles Benjamin Kirby in connection with a Southside homicide last month.

Charles Benjamin Kirby, 24, of no fixed address, is wanted for conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the shooting death of Marcus Williams on July 17 in the 4600 block of Southwood Parkway.

Detectives believe robbery was the motive for this crime.

Kirby is described as a light-brown complected male who weighs about 190 pounds and is approximately 6’1” feet tall. He may have tried to change his appearance by cutting off his long dreadlocks/braids and may now be clean shaven. Please see the photos below. He also has a tattoo on the right side of his neck.

Anyone with any information about Kirby’s whereabouts is asked to call Det. Gary Bailey at (804) 646-6743 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.

Richmond Police Honors Its Best in Community Policing

WHAT:
Richmond Police Salute to Excellence Awards Ceremony

WHEN:
1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13

WHERE:
Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School
1000 N. Lombardy St., Richmond, Va.

BACKGROUND:
Chief Bryan T. Norwood and the Richmond Police Department will honor personnel and community members for their work during the first six months of 2012 to promote and exhibit the Department’s sector-based community policing initiatives.

The Department also will take a moment during the ceremony to remember K-9 Koda and his contributions to Richmond Police. The 6-year-old German Shepherd passed away last month after serving the Department five years with his handler, K-9 Officer Monty Agee. The Richmond Police K-9 Unit also will receive a Unit Citation, with a posthumous award for Koda.

Other Department awards being presented include:
• Police Medal
• Life Saving Bar and
• Quarterly Crime Reduction Recognition.

The public is invited to attend.

Citizen Alert: Fan Assault

At approximately 8 p.m. on Monday, Richmond Police responded to a call for an assault in the 300 block of North Davis Avenue.

A female jogger told officers that a man grabbed her. Police are still looking for the offender, who is described as a white male in his late 20s to early 30s with an athletic build and short hair. He was last seen wearing a navy blue t-shirt and navy blue baseball cap.

There was at least one similar incident that occurred in the Fan neighborhood last year.

Police advise citizens to always pay attention to their surroundings when walking or jogging; not to wear headphones; and to quickly report any suspicious persons or situations they feel are unusual. They can do so by calling the Department’s non-emergency number, 646-5100.

Anyone who has any information about this incident or this offender is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or the Department's non-emergency number, 646-5100. Citizens may also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word "ITip" followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

West Cary Street Vandals Sought

Richmond Police need the public’s help to find and identify the two men responsible for vandalizing a man’s business in the Fan neighborhood.

At approximately 1:30 a.m. on July 26, two men spray painted the tags “REI21” and “2SHORT” on a man’s business in the 2300 block of West Cary Street.

The graffiti tags can be seen below and the vandals can be seen in the two surveillance videos, which are posted on our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/RichmondPolice

Anyone with information about this incident or these individuals is asked to 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.

Citizens can report graffiti to police by calling the Department’s non-emergency number, 646-5100. They can request its removal by calling the city’s 311 number.

Were You Stopped By This Man Pretending to Be a Police Officer?

The Richmond Police Department is looking for people who may have been stopped by a man pretending to be a police officer.

Adrian M. Crump, 42, of the 2000 block of Riverside Drive, was arrested for impersonating a police officer and detectives are continuing their investigation as they look for additional victims.

Detectives would like to speak with anyone who was stopped by Crump and told that he was a police officer or recognizes the below vehicles he may have outfitted with red and blue lights

Citizens may call Det. George Wade at (804) 627-4601 or Crime Stoppers anonymously 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.

Arrest Made in Jefferson Davis Highway Shooting

This afternoon the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested the man responsible for shooting a store clerk he was trying to rob in the 1300 block of Jefferson Davis Highway on Aug. 1.

Brandy M. Brown, 24, of the 3800 block of Baronet Drive, was taken into custody without incident and charged with malicious wounding and use of a firearm in connection with a felony.

This investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information about this crime is still asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or text Crime Stoppers at 274637 first using the word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both methods are anonymous. 

Richmond Police, City Celebrate ‘America’s Night Out’

The Richmond Police Department and the City of Richmond are getting in gear for this year’s National Night Out.

The fun begins with the National Night Out Kickoff from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at Target, 7101 Forest Hill Ave. Richmond Police and the Richmond Sheriff’s Office will be there with crime prevention materials and children’s fingerprinting ID kits. Richmond Police also will have some of the Department’s Special Operations Division equipment there for the children to see and explore. The festive atmosphere will include free food.

Then it’s “America’s Night Out” on Tuesday, Aug. 7. Events in more than 80 area neighborhoods are scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m.

Mayor Dwight C. Jones and Chief Bryan T. Norwood will lead a caravan across the city to visit several of these neighborhoods and join in the celebration.

“Our city is safer because of events like National Night Out,” Mayor Jones said. “When neighbors know neighbors, and know the officers patrolling their streets, it develops mutually beneficial partnerships that inevitably lead to reductions in crime.”

Chief Norwood agrees. “The key to the success of our community policing efforts in Richmond is the members of the community,” the chief said. “Violent crime is down in the city and it’s because of inroads we’ve made with our community partners – the residents in every Richmond neighborhood.”

This year marks the 29th Annual National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.