Bike for the Blue Remembers Fallen Officers

May 11, 2017

WHAT:                        Bike for the Blue Memorial Ride

WHEN:                       5:30 a.m., Saturday May 13

WHERE:                    State Capitol

BACKGROUND:  As part of National Police Week, over 20 members of the Richmond Police Department join others in law enforcement to pedal in a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. in honor of officers who have died in the line of duty.

A contingent of over 100 officers representing jurisdictions from Virginia and federal law enforcement agencies will participate.

“We organize this ride every year to honor those who lost their lives protecting the citizens and making the communities safer,” said Richmond Police Sergeant Anthony Papaleo. “This year is particularly special because the Metro Richmond Police Emerald Society will be the featured pipes and drums performers during Saturday evening’s candlelight vigil at the National Mall.”

Bike for the Blue participants will ride 110 miles on Route 1 to the nation’s capital to meet their colleagues from across the country for the Law Enforcement Memorial ceremony. Richmond Police will remember 29 RPD officers who have given their lives for the city as the Department participates for the 22^nd year.

Members of the public and the media are invited to attend.
 

Missing Man Sought

May 3, 2017

The Richmond Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing man, Jahad Ahi Chapman, 32, of the 700 block of Stockton Street.

Chapman has not been seen by his friends or family since Friday, April 28^th, when he left his apartment to go out for the evening. His phone has been cut off and he was in process of moving out of his apartment.

Detectives do not suspect foul play at this point, but they would like to reunite him with his family.

Chapman is described as a black male, 5’7” tall, weighing 165 pounds with tattoos on his body, neck, face and hands.

Anyone who has seen Jahad Ahi Chapman is asked to call RPD Detective Jay Brissette at (804) 337-4724 or the Department of Emergency Communications at (804) 646-5100.

         Jahad Ahi Chapman

 

Suspect Sought in Theft from Motor Vehicle and Credit Card Fraud in Forest Hill

May 3, 2017

Richmond Police detectives need the public’s help to identify the individual in the photos who is believed to be a suspect in a theft from a motor vehicle and credit card fraud in the Forest Hill neighborhood.

Between 6 and 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, an adult male entered a vehicle in the 6200 block of Forest Hill Avenue and took cash and several credit cards. He then used those credit cards at a GameStop and CVS Pharmacy located in the 7100 block of Forest Hill Avenue.

The suspect is described as a black male with a dark complexion and an average build. He has a dark goatee, possibly in his late-20s to late-30s, and approximately 5’9” to 5’11 tall. At the time, he was wearing a white shirt underneath a dark button down coat, olive green pants, black and white or metallic sneakers and an Oakland Raiders baseball hat.

Detectives ask anyone with any information about this man’s identity to call Third Precinct Detective Eric Sandlin at (804) 646-1010 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.

 

Suspects Sought in Barton Heights Shooting

May 2, 2017

Richmond Police detectives need the public’s help to identify the suspects and provide information about the shooting which occurred yesterday in the Barton Heights neighborhood.

At approximately 5:19 p.m. yesterday, multiple police units responded to the Norrell Elementary School Annex at 201 W. Graham Road for an active shooter situation. It was reported that three suspects forced entry into the building and were possibly still on-scene. When units arrived, they quickly set a perimeter and cleared the building.

While the suspects were not located, four individuals were found inside of the building. One of the individuals was found suffering from a non-life threatening gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital where she was treated and released. No other injuries were reported.

The suspects are described as:

·         Suspect 1: Black male with a dark complexion, short hair and no facial hair. He is approximately 5’2”, and in his early-to-mid teens. He was wearing a red bandana covering his face from his eyes to his chin, blue jeans, and a short sleeve shirt.

·         Suspect 2: Black male with a dark complexion, short hair and no facial hair. He is approximately 5’6”, and in his early-to-mid teens. He was wearing blue jeans and a white T-shirt.

·         Suspect 3: Black male in his early-to-mid teens.

The suspects were last seen running southbound in the alley between Miller and Greenwood Avenues.

During the investigation, a red Metropack backback (Photos attached) was found on the premises. Police are asking anyone who may have seen this backpack to please speak with detectives.

Detectives ask anyone with any information about this man’s identity to call Major Crimes Detective M. Smith at (804) 646-8171 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000, online at www.7801000.com or by texting Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the keyword “ITip” followed by your tip. Submit tips about persons in possession of illegally-held guns by using keyword “GUN250” followed by your tip. Rewards up to $250. All the Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

 

Community Walk in the Eastview Neighborhood

May 2, 2017

WHAT:                       Richmond Police Department Community Walk

WHEN:                      5:30 p.m. Today, May 2, 2017

WHERE:                    1907 Mechanicsville Tnpk., rear parking lot of Community Market

BACKGROUND:     Chief Alfred Durham, First Precinct Sector 113 Lt. Michael Alston and other Richmond Police Department officers will participate in a walk through Richmond’s Eastview neighborhood at 5:30 p.m. today. During the walk, RPD officers will speak with community members about safety concerns they may have and what they would like to see from the Richmond Police Department.

Sector 113 Lt. Alston said the Eastview neighborhood has seen an uptick in property crimes, particularly motor vehicle theft and theft from motor vehicles.

“There were 87 motor vehicle thefts last year compared to 24 this year in Sector 113,” Lt. Alston said. “Six of the 24 vehicles stolen were in the Eastview neighborhood. We are beginning to see a trend of stolen vehicles used in violent crimes.”

“During this community walk, we will go door-to-door and speak with residents and discuss ways to help prevent motor vehicle theft and theft from motor vehicles.”

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.

Arrest Made in Carytown and Willow Lawn Robberies

May 1, 2017

The Richmond Police Department has made an arrest related to two robberies which occurred last week in Carytown and Willow Lawn.

The suspect, Andrew S. Falk, 30, of the 800 block of North Boulevard, was charged with robbery (x2). Falk is also a person of interest in a robbery which occurred in Henrico County on April 17. A Richmond City booking photo is attached.

Shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, the suspect entered the Petco animal supplies store at 10 N. Nansemond St. and gave the cashier a note demanding money from the cash drawer. He fled store on foot, entered a green Honda, and drove eastbound on Floyd Avenue.

The next day, around 2:30 p.m. at the Wells Fargo at 4901 West Broad Street, the suspect entered the bank, approached the customer service desk, handed the teller a note and softly said, “Cooperate with me. I don’t want to hurt you,” He then advised the teller not to cause a scene. The bank teller then handed the suspect money from her drawer.

The suspect asked her, “Where are the hundred dollar bills?” When the teller explained she did have any large bills, he fled on foot heading southbound on Staples Mill Road toward Monument Avenue.

No weapons were involved in either incident.

On Thursday, April 27, Falk was taken into custody and was arrested without incident.

Anyone with additional information about these incidents is asked to call Third Precinct Detective Ryan Nixon at (804) 646-1165 or contact Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or at www.7801000.com. Both Crime Stoppers contacts are anonymous.

               Andrew Falk

Bicyclist Identified in Fatal Collision

April 29, 2017

The Richmond Police Department has identified the bicyclist killed the fatal collision on the southside last night as John H. Shelton, Jr., 69, of the 3500 block of Broad Rock Road.

At approximately 10:39 p.m., officers were called to the intersection of Hopkins Road and Veterans Street for the report of a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.

Officers arrived and found Shelton down and unresponsive. Richmond Ambulance Authority arrived and pronounced Shelton dead at the scene. The vehicle that stuck Shelton remained at the scene.

The Richmond Police Department Crash Team responded and interviewed the driver and witnesses and took measurements. The vehicle that struck Shelton, an Oldsmobile sedan, was travelling westbound in the 1600 block of Hopkins Road, and had the right-of-way, when Shelton attempted to cross Hopkins Road on his bicycle and was struck by the vehicle.

Charges are not expected to be filed.

Anyone with information that may be helpful to the investigation is asked to call SOD Officer J. Ozolins at (804) 646-1343 or Sergeant G. Borges at (804) 646-3132 or call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.