Biddy Ball Basketball Campers to Receive Medals During Closing Ceremony After Years on Hiatus

 First PAL Biddy Ball Camp since pandemic comes to a close honoring MVPs

What:  Closing ceremony for the Winter Bitty Ball Basketball Camp of the Richmond Police Activity League celebrates youth campers and their parents during a closing ceremony this evening.

This is the first basketball camp to be hosted by PAL since the pandemic, and tonight more than 25 children ages six to thirteen will hit the court to display their skills and earn their medals.

The most valuable players will be honored during the ceremony, including male and female of the season as will most improved players.

All campers/players will receive medals and commemorative basketballs as a PAL player.

“Many children came into the league afraid of the ball, not knowing much about the game at all,” said Officer Perry Barber, Program Director of the Police Activity League. “This was our chance to reconnect with the campers in a relaxed setting and actually teach them the fundamentals of the game. And we’ve all been excited to just be back together.”

Who:  Richmond Police officers join the Police Activity League, basketball campers and their parents to honor the accomplishments of the PAL Biddy Ball Basketball Campers.

When:  Tonight, Wednesday, February 16, 2022
6:15 p.m. Court play begins with children
7 p.m. Medals and awards

Where:  Richmond Police Training Academy Gymnasium, 1202 W. Graham

Photo/Interview Opportunities:

• Closing ceremony to include award medals given by officers to children on court, ages 6-9 and ages 10-13
• Interview parents campers and Biddy Basketball players of the Richmond Police Activity League, families from Churchill, Northside and Southside
• On court basketball game play
• Participants will enjoy cupcakes and fun following the game

About the Richmond Police Activity League:
PAL is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between Police and the youth of our communities through sports.

Biddy Ball Basketball is an instructional league designed to teach children the fundamentals of basketball to include dribbling, shooting, passing, and defense. There is also a controlled game setting that exposes the children to a game like experience.

The teams are coached by Richmond City Police Officers which pursues PAL's goal building positive relationships between police officers and the youth of our community.

Missing Man Sought, Foul Play Suspected

The Richmond Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a Richmond man who has been reported missing by his family. Detectives believe foul play may be involved in his disappearance.

Johnnie Brunner, 45, was reported missing on Wednesday, February 9. Brunner was last seen getting into a vehicle, possibly a blue, four-door Chevy Impala in the 4000 block of Midlothian Turnpike.

Brunner is approximately 6’ tall and weighs about 150 pounds. He was last seen wearing a red jacket, dark jeans and a dark skull cap. Brunner has a tattoo of the name “Boss Hogg” on his right shoulder. His photo is attached.

Anyone with information on Brunner’s whereabouts or the circumstances of his disappearance is asked to call Major Crimes Detective G. Bailey at (804) 646-6743 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

Victim Identified, Arrest Made in Bunche Place Homicide

Richmond Police detectives have identified the victim in Friday night’s homicide on Bunche Place as Mitchell Cobb, 34, of Richmond.

At approximately 11:16 p.m., officers were called to the 3300 block of Bunche Place for the report of shots fired. Officers arrived and located Cobb outside of an apartment building suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.

Detectives, with the assistance of the Henrico Police Department, arrested Jamal Malmberg, 30, of North Chesterfield. He has been charged with murder and use of a firearm by a convicted felon. His booking photo is attached.

Anyone with further information about this homicide is asked to call Major Crimes Detective P. Ripley at (804) 646-0423 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.

Suspect Sought in November Homicide on Bus

Since November 9, the date of the shooting, Richmond Police detectives have been investigating the homicide that occurred on a bus on Hull Street. Detectives are now asking for the public’s assistance to identify the suspect in the attached photos and video. The video of the suspect boarding the bus can be found here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/18io4d5pi734b5h/Hull%20Street%20homicide%20suspect.mp4?dl=0

At approximately 11:03 p.m., Tuesday, November 9, Richmond Police responded to the 4000 block of Hull Street for the report of a shooting on a GRTC bus. Officers arrived and located an adult male, Jonathan Contreras, 23, of Richmond, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Contreras was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

During their investigation, detectives determined the victim and the suspect were known to each other. The suspect boarded the bus and recognized the victim sitting across the aisle. They engaged in a confrontation regarding an earlier incident which resulted in a fight and the shooting. A photo of Contreras is attached in an effort to elicit information from those who may have known Contreras or have information about the earlier incident which led to this shooting.

The suspect is an adult male who wore a red hooded sweatshirt under a construction or road safety-type reflective vest. In two of the photos, the suspect is seen in black and white, as the camera system captures low-light images in black and white.

The suspect boarded the bus at the eastbound Midlothian Turnpike stop near Labrook Concourse in the Midlothian section of Richmond. The bus traveled to East Belt Boulevard and stopped near Southside Plaza on Hull Street where the shooting occurred. No one else on the bus was injured. The suspect fled on foot.

Anyone with information about this homicide investigation is asked to call Major Crimes Detective P. Ripley at (804) 646-0423 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.

Jonathan Contreras

 

Richmond Police Department Honors Black History Month

Reflections of Black Americans

Today, as we mark the start of Black History Month, the Richmond Police Department is honored to celebrate the countless contributions of African Americans to our department, our community, and our nation. We pay tribute to the lives and legacies, both past and present, of those who are and have made progress, persevered, and inspired.

This month and every month, Black history is American history, and we lift up the voices of those who have paved a way before us and who continue to seek to make a difference in the Richmond community.

As we recognize the achievements of African Americans within the Richmond Police Department both past and present, we invite you to learn more about the individuals who are serving this great community and to share their stories. Even amidst the most challenging of circumstances and a worldwide pandemic, Richmond Police officers continue to serve and to proudly protect our community.

Watch this video, as civilians and sworn members of the Richmond Police Department reflect on what Black History Month means to them.

Follow us on social media @RIchmondPolice to meet members of RPD and hear their stories.

Interviews available:

Deputy Chief John Hayes, a veteran leader in law enforcement, Hayes has spent 40 years in the profession. A graduate of the University of Washington, he was the first male to receive the inaugural alumni award in 2011 Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies honoring his service to the community and commitment to the values of Women Studies at UW.

During his academic career, John experienced several incidents of racial profiling on the part of police officers. These experiences ultimately propelled him into his career within law enforcement. “I became a police officer in part as a reaction to how I saw people being treated. I wanted to be a more holistic and community centered officer”, said Hayes.

Sergeant Edmonds, serving Community and Youth Intervention Services Sgt. Edmonds has served the Richmond community with RPD for 18 years.

Never take no for an answer is something her mother always told her. She taught her that just because you’re a Black female, that doesn’t mean you can’t do something or that you’re less than. “I learned from my mother that I am valued”, said Edmonds. “Just look at where we started as Black women, as African American people, look at where I am now. That’s powerful and inspiring. We as people will constantly push forward for the greater good.”

Officer Harris, has served the Richmond community for 15 years as a Richmond Police Officer and currently supports our youth as a School Resource Officer within Armstrong High School.

“My grandfather who is now 85, was among the first black court bailiffs in the Richmond court system. He is my role model and the reason I chose a career in law enforcement. It’s my calling and I get to serve right where I grew up.”

Person of interest in Multiple Commercial Burglaries

Richmond Police detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the individual in these photos who is person of interest in several commercial burglaries that occurred on December 25, 2021, January 1, 2022, and January 16, 2022.

At approximately 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, December 25, 2021, a suspect forced entry into a business, located in the 2300 block of East Main Street and stole merchandise. The suspect then fled on foot.

At approximately 5:00 a.m. on January 1, Officers responded to the same business for another commercial burglary. Officers spoke to the owner, who stated that the suspect forced entry into the business and stole merchandise, before fleeing on foot.

At approximately 6:20 a.m. on January 16, Officers responded to the business again, and spoke to the owner, who stated that someone forced entry into the business and stole merchandise, and fled on foot.

The same suspect was seen on video surveillance wearing the same clothing in these burglaries. The suspect was seen wearing a black coat, gray pants and sneakers.

Anyone with information about the identity of this individual is asked to call First Precinct Detective Mitchell at (804) 510-4185 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 Midlothian Turnpike Homicide

Richmond Police detectives have identified the victim in Saturday night’s homicide as Vernon Pope Jr., 51, of Richmond.

Saturday night at approximately 6:33 p.m., Richmond Police responded to the 4000 block of Midlothian Turnpike for the report of a person shot. Officers arrived and located an adult male, Pope, in an apartment down and unresponsive 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 about this homicide is asked to call Major Crimes Detective J. Crewell at (804) 646-5324 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.