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.

 

 

 

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE INVESTIGATING LARCENY FROM BAREFORD BUICK

 

On November 13, 2013, the Tappahannock Police Department took a report of a larceny of wheels and tires from Bareford Buick/GMC.  Sometime between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, eight wheels and tires were removed from two SUV’s on the Bareford lot.  The tires are BRIDGESTONE brand and the wheels are chrome in appearance. 

                                               

Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to call the Tappahannock Police Department at 804-443-3992.

 

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE CAUTION AGAINST THE USE OF SYNTHETIC DRUGS

The Tappahannock Police Department wants the public to know the dangers of synthetic drugs.  Tappahannock and Essex County have seen a dramatic increase of the use and overdose of these dangerous substances.  Synthetic drugs are often marketed as herbal incense, bath salts, potpourri and plant food.  While some of these substances are legal to purchase they have damaging and sometimes irreversible effects on users.  Those that have abused the drugs have suffered vomiting, anxiety, seizures, hallucinations, elevated heart rate and loss of consciousness.   In the last 30 days alone, the police department and EMS have responded to multiple incidents where people used these drugs and required emergency treatment.  "The fact that some of the substances are legal does not make them safe," says Chief Jim Ashworth.  "This is a serious problem both legally and medically."

 

The most common form of this drug is synthetic marijuana or cannabinoids.  This drug is smoked to achieve the same type of high but the chemical used in the drug to mimic THC, found in marijuana, has dangerous psychoactive compounds.  Synthetic marijuana is sold at a variety of stores and online making it easily attainable and affordable.  In 2012, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, released a report detailing the dramatic rise of visits to emergency rooms caused by synthetic cannabinoids.  According to the report in 2010, 11,406 ER visits were related to cannabinoids alone.  In 2011, that number rose to a dramatic 28,531 visits.  The report also detailed that most of the patients were between the ages of 12 and 29. 

 

In August, the police department charged two men in connection with the sale of illegal cannabinoids at the A & N Tobacco store in Tappahannock.  Over 100 bags of illegal substances and several thousands of dollars were seized. 

Tappahannock Police Department and Essex Sheriff’s Office to participate in Drug Take Back Initiative

The Tappahannock Police Department and the Essex Sheriff's Office will again participate in the National Drug Take Back Initiative on October 26, 2013 from 10am to 2pm at the Tappahannock WAL-MART.  The program is aimed at removing outdated and/or unwanted prescriptions from the community.  In April 2013 the DEA collected and destroyed 371 tons nationally with 40 pounds being collected in Tappahannock alone. 

 

Officers from Tappahannock and Essex will be on hand to collect drugs to be destroyed.  No injected medications, syringes, or illicit drugs will be accepted. 

 

For more information contact Captain J.H. Siddons of the Tappahannock Police Department or visit http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html.

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE SEIZE SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA FROM BUSINESS

On August 15, 2013, the Tappahannock Police Department with the assistance of the Essex Sheriff's Office and the Virginia State Police served a search warrant on the A & N Tobacco Store, 1828 Tappahannock Boulevard.  The search warrant was the result of a long term investigation into the sale of synthetic cannabinoids in the Town of Tappahannock.  Officers seized 123 bags of "iBlown", an illegal cannabinoid, over $7000 in cash, and 24 VIAGRA pills that were also being illegally sold. 

 

"The use of these illegal substances poses serious health risks to the community.  Our office has received several complaints from concerned citizens, but until recently the law didn't allow us to take any action.  The emergency bill signed by the Governor clearly shows how dangerous these substances are."

 

Nagi Mahamed Alashmali, 53, of Tappahannock was arrested and charged with one count of distribution of a Schedule I drug and two counts of possession with the intent to distribute a Synthetic Cannabinoid.

 

Waleed Nagi Mahamed Alashmali, 19, of Tappahannock was arrested and charged with two counts of possession with the intent to distribute a Synthetic Cannabinoid.

 

This investigation is ongoing and more charges are possible.