TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE INVESTIGATING HOMICIDE; ONE MAN CHARGED

The Tappahannock Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred in the evening hours of Sunday November 16.  At approximately 9:00 pm, officers responded to the Rappahannock Apartments on Winston Road for a shots fired call.  When officers arrived they found a young black male who was unresponsive.   The victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene was identified as Danny Gray Jones, Jr., 23 of Tappahannock.  According to witnesses the shooter left the area with two small children.  At approximately 9:30 p.m., a man called the Essex Sheriff’s Office and said he was the shooter and he had his two children with him and was at his home on Tanyard Drive.  Officers from the police department, Essex Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police responded to the area and ordered the man to come outside.  The suspect, identified as Terry Devon Finney, 26 of Tappahannock was taken into custody without incident.  Officers did recover a handgun from Finney. 

 

The investigation revealed that Finney and Jones knew each other and had previous disputes over Finney’s children.  “What we know so far is that victim was dating the mother of the suspect’s children and there was some kind of dispute involving the kids.” says Chief James G. Ashworth, Jr.  “This is a terrible tragedy and one that could’ve been avoided.” Ashworth added. 

 

Finney has been charged with one count of 1^st degree murder; one count of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony; and two counts of child endangerment.  The Tappahannock Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident.  Finney is being held under no bond at the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center in Saluda. 

 

 

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE MAKE ARREST IN AUGUST BREAKING & ENTERING'S

 

The Tappahannock Police Department has made an arrest in multiple breaking & entering’s that occurred in August of this year.  Kyle Lee George, 30 of White Stone, VA has been charged with the burglaries of both Dr. Hollis Wolcott’s and Dr. William Ryan’s offices as well as attempted breaking and entering at the Tappahannock Pharmacy and the Tappahannock/Warsaw Moose Lodge.  George was also charged with a residential burglary to a home on Jeanette Drive. 

 

After an extensive investigation by Detective R.C. Beynon along with the assistance of Investigator Sean Hogge of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Office, evidence was developed which led to George’s arrest.  George has been charged with 5 counts of Breaking and Entering; 4 counts of Destruction of Property; 2 counts of Grand Larceny; 1 count of Credit Card Theft; and 1 count of Eluding Police.  George has also been charged with multiple burglaries in Lancaster and Northumberland counties. 

 

“This is a case where patience and great police work led us to Mr. George”, said Chief James G. Ashworth, Jr. 

 

George is currently being held in the Lancaster County Jail pending trial. 

 

 

 

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE INVESTIGATING FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH

The Tappahannock Police Department is investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred in the early morning hours of August 22.  At approximately 5:55 am, officers responded to the area of Marsh Street and Route 17 and found two vehicles with extensive damage.  The investigation at the scene indicated that Lottie M. Taliaferro of Tappahannock was driving a 2002 Izuzu east on Marsh Street at an excessive rate of speed when she disregarded the stop sign and struck a 2001 Chrysler on Rt. 17 driven by Kristi S. Johnson of Tappahannock.  Johnson was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead on scene.  Taliaferro was transported to Riverside Tappahannock Hospital and later flown to VCU Medical Center.

 

The crash remains under investigation by the Tappahannock Police Department. 

 

 

 

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE AND ESSEX SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO HOLD DRUG TAKE BACK

On Saturday September 27, 2014 the Tappahannock Police Department and Essex County Sheriff’s Office will once again participate in the National Drug Take Back Initiative from 10am-2pm at Wal-Mart on Tappahannock Blvd.    Officers will be on hand to collect unneeded or expired medication for disposal.  No syringes or illicit drugs will be accepted. 

 

The National Drug Take Back Initiative is a program sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration aimed at removing dangerous medication from home that is no longer needed for proper disposal.  The Tappahannock Police and Essex Sheriff’s Office has removed nearly 250 pounds of drugs in the previous collection events.

 

Questions concerning the program may be directed to Captain J.H. Siddons of the Tappahannock Police Department at 804-443-3992.

 

 

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE CHARGE SECOND PERSON IN JULY 3 STABBING

The Tappahannock Police Department has charged a second man in connection with the July 3, 2014 stabbing at Tappahannock Greens. Troy Lamont Burrell, 52 of Tappahannock has been arrested and charged with malicious wounding.  Burrell and another man, Michael Deyo were involved in an altercation that resulted in both men being stabbed.  Deyo has already been charged in relation to this incident with malicious wounding. 

 

Both men are due in the Essex General District Court on September 11, 2014.

 

 

 

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE INVESTIGATING TWO ASSAULT CASES

On June 30, 2014, at 2:45 pm, Tappahannock Police was called to 423 Virginia Street regarding a fight against several individuals.  It was determined that the altercation had taken place between John W. Richards, age 42, of Tappahannock, and Harley D. Thacker, age 36, also of Tappahannock.  The altercation had taken place inside Richard’s residence and then had continued out onto Virginia Street.  Mr. Thacker’s injuries required him to be transported to Riverside Tappahannock Hospital and then to VCU Medical Center.  He sustained extensive injuries to his left eye, and several internal injuries including broken ribs.  Richards did not appear to have any visible injuries.

                             

Due to the presence of a large congregation of people at the scene, the Tappahannock Police Department was assisted by the Essex Sheriff’s Department with crowd control.  The scene was very chaotic and it was difficult to determine what had caused the altercation between the two men.  However, after further investigation conducted by Officer Tim Johnson, John Richards was arrested for Malicious Wounding.  He is currently being held without bond at the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center in Saluda pending trial.  Mr. Thacker was treated and released after several days in the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

 

The Tappahannock Police Department is also investigating another altercation that occurred on July 3 at the Tappahannock Greens Apartments.  At approximately 10:35 pm, officers were dispatched to 994A Winston Road, Tappahannock, for a fight in progress with weapons involved.  Upon arrival, officers observed two individuals who had been involved in an altercation, both persons having sustained severe wounds.  Investigation revealed the two individuals had both displayed knives and had cut each other about the face and body.  It was unable to determine the cause of the altercation.  Both subjects were transported to Riverside Tappahannock Hospital for treatment.  One subject was air-lifted to VCU Medical Center where he remains in critical but stable condition.  The other subject was treated and released.

 

The police department has arrested and charged Michael F. Deyo, 49 of New Point with malicious wounding.  The identity of the other person involved is being withheld pending the completion of the investigation.  Additional charges are possible. 

 

 

 

 

 

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE ARREST SEVEN IN WAL-MART THEFTS

 

 

Tappahannock Police have arrested seven individuals related to a theft ring from the Tappahannock Wal-Mart.  On Sunday, May 4 the department was alerted by Wal-Mart that an employee was alleged to be stealing and trading merchandise from the store.  The employee, Franklin Neale, Jr., 23 of Warsaw was charged with thirteen felony and misdemeanor thefts that occurred during April and May of this year.  The police department believes that Neale would facilitate and assist others to remove items from the store.  The items in question ranged from fishing licenses and fishing equipment, stereos, speakers, and other household goods.  To date a substantial amount of the property has been recovered.  The other individuals arrested and charged are as follows:

 

Amanda L. Rhodes, 25 of Dunnsville, three counts of petit larceny

 

Jeremy L. Blackwell, 19 of Heathsville, one petit larceny, one conspire to commit larceny, two counts grand larceny, and two conspiracy to commit grand larceny

 

Taylor N. Packett, 18 of Caret, one count petit larceny and one count conspire to commit larceny

 

Richard Bowen, Jr., 31 of Hauge, one felony conspire to commit larceny and one felony larceny

 

William E. R. LaRochelle, 25 of Dunnsville, one felony conspire to commit larceny and one felony larceny

 

Aaron P. LaRochelle, 22 of Heathsville, three grand larceny and two conspiracy to commit grand larceny

 

According to Chief James G. Ashworth, Jr. this case is still under investigation and more charges are possible. 

 

All suspects in this case are due in Essex General District Court on June 12, 2014

 

 

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE TO PARTICIPATE IN "CLICK IT OR TICKET"

Seat belts prevent ejection and without one, a person’s body becomes a missile inside the vehicle.  The Tappahannock Police Department along with DMV’s Virginia Highway Safety Office encourages everyone on the road to wear their seat belts during every trip, day and night.

Law enforcement officers in Tappahannock and across Virginia and the nation will be out in full force looking for seat belt violators during the national Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization this May. “If you’re not buckled up, you will get a ticket,” warned Chief James G. Ashworth, Jr.  “Don’t risk death or injuring others in your vehicle. If you’re driving, the second action you need to take after fastening your own seat belt is to insist all your passengers are wearing their belts too.”

Day and night, local law enforcement officers are on the lookout for those not wearing their seat belts--and for good reason. In 2012 in the U.S., 61 percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed at night (6 p.m. – 5:59 a.m.) were not wearing their seat belts. “Local law enforcement officers are actually trained to spot seat belt violations at night, so just because it’s dark, don’t think they won’t be able to spot unbelted drivers,” said Chief Ashworth.

Virginia’s statewide seat belt use rate was 79.7 percent in 2013 and 78.4 percent in 2012. Last year in Virginia, 54 percent of all traffic fatalities, or 310 deaths, were unrestrained drivers and passengers. Also, 118 (38 percent) of the unrestrained deaths were young people ages 21 to 35, and 73 percent were males. Most of the unrestrained fatalities, 144 or 46 percent, occurred between the hours of 6 p.m. and 3 a.m. Of the 228 unbelted driver fatalities, 55 (24 percent) had been drinking.

Drivers (75.7 percent) and passengers (68.8 percent) in pickup trucks had the lowest seat belt use rates, along with passengers (69.4 percent) in work vans.

“These numbers tell us young males, many of them pickup drivers who’ve been drinking, are not buckling up and dying on our roadways,” said Chief Ashworth.  “We want to do everything we can to reach these people and save their lives.”

Those who drive and ride in pickup trucks may think that their large vehicle will protect them more than other vehicles in a crash. This false sense of security may cause them to not wear their seat belts, but the stats show that this bravado is misplaced. “Everyone, no matter what vehicle they are in or if they are a driver or passenger, should always buckle up,” said Ashworth.

 

 

 

 

 

SEVEN CHARGED ON FEDERAL INDICTMENTS RELATED TO SPICE SALES

On February 25, 2014, a joint task force consisting of local, state and federal authorities served multiple search warrants and arrested seven people in connection with Slipknots Trading & Tobacco, LLC.  Connie R. Bowler, 47, of Gloucester; Melody R. Green, 52, of Topping; John Rhoades, 41, of Hayes; Brandon Bowler, 22, of Gloucester; Robert Rhoades, 19, of Hayes; Harrell Stockwell, 54, of Gloucester; and Christopher Lowery, 29, of Farnham, were arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute and posses with the intent to distribute smokeable synthetic cannabinoids with the intent for human consumption, and drug paraphernalia.

 

Slipknots operated a store in Tappahannock in the Essex Square Shopping Center and had planned on moving the store near Wal-Mart in March.  “My office has responded to numerous incidents where people who had smoked these products were having serious medical complications and needed to be hospitalized.” says Chief James Ashworth.  “I have taken several phone calls from concerned citizens and parents who were upset about the products being sold and wanted know what to do.”  “The current state laws didn’t allow us much option in enforcement which is why I also took a position of educating the public on the dangers associated with smoking these products.”

 

The indictments allege that the store sold the synthetic cannabinoids in conjunction with items such as rolling papers and water pipes.  It is also alleged that Slipknots sold more than $3 million dollars of smokeable synthetic cannabinoids over an 18 month period at their stores.

 

This case now lies with the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. 

 

 

 

 

ESSEX GRAND JURY ISSUES 159 INDICTMENTS FOR EMBEZZLEMENT FROM ESSEX FAMILY

On January 22, 2014, an Essex County Grand Jury indicted a Northumberland man for embezzlement from his employer.  James Cox of Lottsburg was arrested on 159 felony charges including Forgery, Uttering and Grand Larceny.  It is believed that Cox embezzled in excess of $24,000 over a period of several years while employed as a property caretaker.  This case was investigated by the Tappahannock Police Department.

 

Cox is due to appear in the Essex County Circuit Court on February 4.

 

 

 

ESSEX GRAND JURY INDICTS FOR EMBEZZLEMENT FROM CHRISTMAS MOTHER ACCOUNT

 

On January 22, 2014, an Essex County Grand Jury indicted an Aylett woman for embezzlement from the Essex County Christmas Mother account.  Ellen Baker has been charged on three felony indictments alleging that she stole over $800 from the account to pay for personal items and bills in August 2011. 

 

“This kind of case is really disheartening because this involved money being taken from people who really needed it that time of year, especially children.” says Chief J.G. Ashworth, Jr.

 

Baker has yet to be arrested on these charges.  If anyone has information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Tappahannock Police at 804-443-3992.

 

 

 

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE MAKE ARREST IN ANIMAL SHELTER BREAK-IN

 

After a 13 month investigation, an Essex County Grand Jury indicted five people in connection with a burglary and larceny of pit bulls from the Essex County Animal Shelter on Airport Rd.  Angel Milliken-Fennell, James Fennell, Ashley M. Ray, Heaven Jacobs and Deborah Cowan have all been indicted with burglary, two counts of larceny of a dog, and two counts of conspiracy to commit larceny.

 

The indictments stem from a burglary and larceny from the Essex County Animal Shelter on December 20, 2012.  The dogs in question had been declared livestock killers after attacking and killing several alpacas on an Essex County farm in August of 2012.  The dogs were court ordered to be euthanized on December 21, 2012.  It is believed the five planned a staged break-in and removed the dogs to avoid being euthanized.   The exact whereabouts of the dogs is unknown.

 

Angel Milliken-Fennell is an employee of the Essex County Animal Shelter.  Her husband James, daughter Ashley Ray, Jacobs and Cowan all have volunteered at the shelter in the past. 

 

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE INVESTIGATING ARMED ROBBERY ON ROUZIE DRIVE

The Tappahannock Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred at approximately 12:30 AM on January 14, 2014 on Rouzie Drive near Marsh Street.  The victim was approached by the suspect just outside of his apartment.  The suspect displayed a handgun and demanded money.  The victim was unharmed during the incident. 

 

The suspect is described as a black male in his early 20’s, approximately 5’8 and 180 pounds.  He was wearing blue jeans and a black jacket.  The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle with another suspect who could not be described.  The vehicle was described as a late 80’s to early 90’s green subcompact sedan. 

 

Anyone having information is asked to call Detective R.C. Beynon at 443-3992.