Monday, August 28, 2017

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE MAKE ARRESTS IN COUNTERFEITING CASE

The Tappahannock Police Department have arrested three people involved in counterfeiting U.S. currency.   The bills were passed at Wal-Mart on Tappahannock Blvd. on August 13 and 15.  On August 19, the police department and Essex County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants at two different apartments in Tappahannock.  According to Chief James Ashworth, evidence related to counterfeit currency was seized.  The individuals charged are as follows:

 

  1. Marcia S. Smith, 29 of Tappahannock has been charged with grand larceny, felony uttering a false note, misdemeanor possession of counterfeit currency, and petit larceny.

 

  1. Collista D. Smith, 55 of Tappahannock has been charged with grand larceny, uttering a false note and misdemeanor possession of counterfeit currency. 

 

  1. Michael A. West, Jr., 31 of Tappahannock has been charged with grand larceny, uttering a false note, and felony possession of counterfeit currency.

 

A fourth individual, Aron L. Thorne, 32 of Hustle remains at large. Thorne has been charged with three felonies related to this case.  Anyone having information on the whereabouts of Thorne are asked to contact the Tappahannock Police Department at 443-3992 or the Essex Sheriff’s Office at 443-3347. 

 

The investigation is ongoing and more charges are pending.

 

 

Monday, July 17, 2017

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE MAKE ARRESTS IN RECENT BREAK-INS

The Tappahannock Police Department has charged one juvenile and one adult related to five burglaries that occurred in town over the last month.  Police say that a 16-year-old Tappahannock resident is responsible for burglarizing June Parker Carwash, Almost New Thrift Store, Modern Cleaners, and the residence at 575 Faulconer Circle between May 30 and June 19.  James M. Carter, 23 of Tappahannock has also been charged with Breaking & Entering and Larceny related to Modern Cleaners and Faulconer Circle.  “The officers working these cases did an excellent job.”, said Chief James Ashworth, Jr.  “Businesses and residents should be aware and take steps to protect their property.”, Ashworth added. 

 

Carter was released on bond and is scheduled to appear in Essex General District Court on August 17.  The unnamed juvenile has been charged with eight felonies and one misdemeanor and his case is pending through the Essex Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court.  This investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.

 

Monday, April 10, 2017

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

On Saturday April 29, 2017 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.  Also on hand for this event will be representatives from The Three Rivers Medical Reserve Corps with information on safe medication disposal in response to the Opioid epidemic.  The Medical Reserve Corps is comprised of local health professionals and interested citizens who want to make the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula a safer and healthier place to live.

 

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 350 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 ARREST ONE FOLLOWING PURSUIT

The Tappahannock Police Department have charged an Essex County man following a pursuit through Tappahannock.  Jacob Kline, 18, of Tappahannock led police on a pursuit after multiple calls regarding reckless driving.  At approximately 3:30 Saturday April 9, police department Captain C.F. Davis attempted to stop Kline after he failed to stop at a traffic signal at Rt. 17 and Airport Rd.  Kline proceeded north onto Rt. 17 at a high rate of speed towards Mt. Landing Creek.  Davis lost sight of the vehicle and returned to town when Kline returned south into Tappahannock where Davis resumed the pursuit.  Kline turned west onto Marsh St. and proceeded to drive through the barrier gate between Marsh St. and the old airport runway.  Kline continued to elude police on Airport Rd. where he then turned north onto Mt. Landing Road into Essex County. The Essex County Sheriff’s Office continued pursuit approximately six or seven miles where Kline crashed the vehicle in woods adjacent to a field.  Kline was arrested and charged with felony eluding police, felony damage to property, misdemeanor reckless driving, disobey a traffic signal, and failure to register a motor vehicle. 

 

Kline is being held at the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center under no bond.

 

 

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE INVESTIGATING SHOTS FIRED

On February 25, 2017 at 1:24 a.m., Tappahannock Police responded to a fight in progress call in the parking lot and grass area at Roma’s Restaurant.  Upon arrival, officers heard one shot from a firearm and observed a large crowd and several groups of people fighting.  Officers were unable to locate the shooter who had apparently departed upon their arrival.  As officers encountered the disorderly groups who refused to stop fighting, OC spray was used to disperse the crowds.  Upon encountering several persons involved in one of the fights, Officer D.E. Gray, Jr., noticed one of the subjects had a firearm in his hand and after being challenged by Officer Gray, dropped the weapon and ran from the scene.  The subject was captured shortly afterwards and placed under arrest.  The subject was identified as Brian Elliot Watts, age 32, of King William County.  One semi-automatic weapon was taken which was identified as being stolen from Howard County, Maryland.  Watts was charged with Possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony, Possession of a stolen firearm, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.  Watts is incarcerated at the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center in Saluda. 

 

Another subject was later charged as a result of this incident.  Shakera Q. Stewart, age 30, of Tappahannock, was served with arrest warrants on February 25, 2017, and charged with Disorderly conduct and Obstruction of Justice.  Stewart is also incarcerated at the MPRSC in Saluda.

 

There were no known injuries involved with this incident and this matter remains under investigation.

 

The Tappahannock Police Department is actively pursuing leads in this case and was assisted at the scene by the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Warsaw Police Department, and the Virginia State Police.  The public is asked to report any information regarding this incident immediately to the Essex County Sheriff’s Department dispatch center at 443-3347 or the Tappahannock Police Department at 443-3992.