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.

 

 

 

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.