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

On Saturday September 26, 2015 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 200 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.

 

POLICE ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING 19 YEAR OLD TAPPAHANNOCK MAN

The Tappahannock Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a Tappahannock man who left his home earlier this week.  William Deangelo Mattocks, age 19, is autistic and also has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and his family believes it is unlike him to leave abruptly.  “At this time we don’t believe he was the victim of an abduction.  He left a note to his parents saying he was leaving with some new friends and may be headed to California.” said Chief James G. Ashworth, Jr.  “But given his medical history the family believes he may have been pressured into leaving.  His parents just don’t think he would do something like this." Ashworth added.  “What we are asking from the public is that if anyone has talked to William or has seen him to either call us or his family.”  “We just want to know he is ok.” said Ashworth.

 

The police department would like to stress that Mattocks is not wanted by law enforcement.  His last known location is unknown.  A recent picture of Mattocks is available on the departments Facebook page. 

 

If anyone has seen or spoken to William Mattocks, you are asked to please call the Tappahannock Police Department at 804-443-3347 or contact the Mattocks family directly.  

 

 

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE IN LARCENY INVESTIGATIONS

The Tappahannock Police Department is asking for the public’s help in solving three recent larceny cases.  The larcenies have occurred over the past month at WAL-MART and Bareford Buick in Tappahannock. 

 

On April 3, 2015 two suspects took several electronic items from the Wal-Mart and exited through the lawn and garden section of the store.  The suspects then left the area in a black SUV.  On May 5, 2015 two suspects again removed several electronic items and left through the lawn and garden section.  In both incidents the suspects are described as two black males wearing dark clothing and ball caps.  Pictures of the suspects may be viewed on the department Facebook page.

 

The police department is also asking for assistance in the theft of tires and wheels from Bareford Buick on Tappahannock Boulevard.  In the overnight hours of April 24, someone removed the tires and wheels from a 2013 Buick Regal. 

 

Anyone who has information related to these crimes is asked to contact the Tappahannock Police Department @ 804-443-3992.  You may also provide information anonymously through the department website, www.tapp-pd.org.

 

The police department thanks the public for their assistance.  

 

 

 

 

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE TO PARTICIPATE IN CLICK IT OR TICKET

Once again, The Tappahannock Police Department is reminding motorists to Click It or Ticket. As part of the national seat belt enforcement campaign, law enforcement agencies around the country will be stepping up enforcement May 18 to 31, just ahead of one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. 

 

“Every day, unbuckled motorists are losing their lives in motor vehicle crashes,” said Chief James G. Ashworth, Jr. “As we approach Memorial Day weekend and the summer vacation season, we want to make sure people are doing the one thing that can save them in a crash, buckling up.”

 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly half of the 21,132 passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in 2013 were unrestrained. At night from 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., that number soared to 59 percent of those killed. That’s why one focus of the Click It or Ticket campaign is nighttime enforcement. Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night. In Virginia the maximum penalty for a seat belt violation is $25 for adults and $50 for an unrestrained child.

 

“If you ask the family members of those unrestrained people who were killed in crashes, they’ll tell you—they wish their loved ones had buckled up,” added Chief Ashworth.  “The bottom line is that seat belts save lives. If these enforcement crackdowns get people’s attention, and get them to buckle up, then we’ve done our job.”

 

For more information on the Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/ciot.                       

 

 

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE RESPOND TO COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ACCIDENT

On Tuesday February 3, 2015, the Tappahannock Police Department responded to a motor vehicle accident involving a logging truck.  At approximately 5:00 pm, 1995 Peterbuilt truck attempted to turn north onto Route 17 from Route 360 when it struck a utility pole and a building at the corner of Queen Street and Church Lane.  The truck caused considerable damage to a Verizon pole and to the business Thyme in a Basket.  There were no reported injuries related to the crash.  Officers were on scene to direct traffic around the area for several hours after the incident.  The driver of the truck, Alvin Manning, 56, of Tappahannock was charged with Reckless Driving.  Alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

 

The Essex County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Transportation assisted the police department in the incident. 

 

 

 

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE HONOR FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER

The Tappahannock Police Department recently honored former longtime town council member James “Sonny” Terry for his dedication to the town and police department.  Chief James G. Ashworth, Jr. presented Mr. Terry with a plaque on January 8, 2015 at the Tappahannock Rotary meeting.  Terry served on the council from 1994 to 2014 where he also served on the council’s police committee.  “Mr. Terry was a dedicated servant of the town and steadfast supporter of the police department.” said Ashworth.  “We are eternally grateful for his service.” 

 

Terry was a former Trooper with the Virginia State Police before leaving the department and working with the Southland Life Insurance Company. 

 

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE HONOR FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER

The Tappahannock Police Department recently honored former longtime town council member James “Sonny” Terry for his dedication to the town and police department.  Chief James G. Ashworth, Jr. presented Mr. Terry with a plaque on January 8, 2015 at the Tappahannock Rotary meeting.  Terry served on the council from 1994 to 2014 where he also served on the council’s police committee.  “Mr. Terry was a dedicated servant of the town and steadfast supporter of the police department.” said Ashworth.  “We are eternally grateful for his service.” 

                                                    

Terry was a former Trooper with the Virginia State Police before leaving the department and working with the Southland Life Insurance Company.