Thursday, July 2WATCHFUL EYE

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VA Beach man allegedly stabs 2, kidnaps children, kills 1 in MD crash
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VA Beach man allegedly stabs 2, kidnaps children, kills 1 in MD crash

State Police in Maryland and Virginia have launched investigations after a Virginia Beach man allegedly stabbed two people, abducted his three children, and then killed the youngest in a fatal crash across state lines. According to Virginia Beach Police Department, a call came in at about 8:48 p.m. reporting a stabbing in the 900 block of Jay Are Court. When police arrived, they found a woman and female child were both suffering from multiple stab wounds. They were transported to the hospital, VBPD stated. The preliminary investigation suggested the incident was “domestic-related,” said VBPD, and detectives secured warrants for Plummer. The charges include two counts of aggravated malicious wounding, three counts of parental abduction, four counts of contributing to delinquency of...
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Front Royal P.D. says man in fatal armed barricade didn’t fire shots at officers
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Front Royal P.D. says man in fatal armed barricade didn’t fire shots at officers

Today, Front Royal Police Department retracted claims about shots fired by a 39-year-old man who reportedly took his life during an armed barricade. According to Front Royal Police Department, three officers responded to a domestic disturbance call in the 200 block of West 8th Street on Monday shortly after 11 p.m. As those officers approached a woman in the front yard of the residence, police reported that there was a man in the residence with a handgun. In the initial report, FRPD claimed the man fired multiple shots from the handgun through a front window in the officers’ direction. Today, FRPD clarified that an investigation of the scene determined only one shot was fired in the home. That shot shattered the front window “leading officers to believe the shots were aimed toward...
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Wanted Earlysville pair found in Caroline w/ U-Haul reportedly stolen in Tennessee
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Wanted Earlysville pair found in Caroline w/ U-Haul reportedly stolen in Tennessee

An Earlysville pair wanted on theft-related charges were caught in Caroline with a U-Haul that the Sheriff’s Office said was stolen from Tennessee. According to Caroline Sheriff’s Office, on August 10, Lt. B. Sadler spotted a U-Haul moving truck heading north on Rt. 301 that matched the description of one that he’d been advised was stolen from Tennessee. When Sadler ran the license plate, he confirmed that it was the stolen vehicle in question. But before he could turn on his lights to try to make a stop, the U-Haul made a quick turn into a driveway and the passenger jumped out and ran, CCSO reported. Lt. Sadler gave chase and caught the suspect about 100 yards from the U-Haul truck in a wooded area. Meanwhile, Sgt. C. Hall had arrived and detained the driver, CCSO reported. On...
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Schools, retailers, & players benefit from record year for Virginia Lottery, reports Youngkin
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Schools, retailers, & players benefit from record year for Virginia Lottery, reports Youngkin

Governor Glenn Youngkin is celebrating a record year for Virginia Lottery that reportedly resulted in record benefits for schools, retailers, and players. Although the exact figures aren't final, Youngkin’s office announced that, during Fiscal Year 2024, which ended June 30, Virginia Lottery had record sales of over $5.5 billion including retail, website, and app sales. “Approximately 10 percent of Virginia’s K-12 education budget comes from Virginia Lottery profits that assist in funding public schools,” a statement from the Governor said. The record sales will lead to over $934 million for the state’s education system. According to Younkin’s office that’s the highest education contribution in the Lottery’s 36-year history. “I am so thrilled these record profits will help prov...
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Richmond County man who served as pastor & youth counselor charged with child sex crimes
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Richmond County man who served as pastor & youth counselor charged with child sex crimes

While 55-year-old David Lawrence Schneider was at the Richmond County courthouse this morning to be arraigned for child sex offenses, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office was announcing that an additional 19 charges were filed in the case. On August 6, Sheriff Stephan Smith announced Schneider was arrested at 8:02 that morning for taking indecent liberties with a child by a person in a custodial or supervisory role. Smith stated Schneider was being held at the Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw. Schneider, a Farnham resident, was transported from the jail to court today where he was arraigned by Judge Julia Sichol. When asked how he wanted to proceed with obtaining counsel, Schneider told the judge he has hired an attorney. Bond was not deliberated. Meanwhile, on Friday morni...
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Crash on Hampton side of HRBT claims Norfolk woman
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Crash on Hampton side of HRBT claims Norfolk woman

A Norfolk woman was killed by a crash at the Hampton side of the Hampton Road Bridge Tunnel yesterday. Virginia State Police said preliminary investigations show 49-year-old Tonya Denise Hinkle was driving a 2024 Jetta and was in the left lane at the mouth of the tunnel when she rear-ended a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. According to VSP, due to the impact, Hinklethen ran off the road, hit into a jersey wall, and was pushed back into traffic where she crashed into 2012 F-150. Hinkle survived a trip to Norfolk General Hospital, but VSP said she later died from the injuries. The other two drivers only suffered minor injuries. The investigation is still underway, and VSP said it hasn’t been determined if speed or alcohol are factors in this incident. Follow the Watchful Eye...
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Scott Co. charges for couple accused of killing baby upgraded to murder
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Scott Co. charges for couple accused of killing baby upgraded to murder

The child abuse and neglect charges against 24-year-old Michael Finley and 19-year-old Hannah Danielle Davidson have been upgraded to murder. As previously reported, the Fort Blackmore couple are accused in the death of Davidson’s 7-week-old baby who, according to Scott County Sheriff’s Office, was “critically injured.” A grand jury convened on Monday, and yesterday, August 7, new indictments were served on the pair charging each with a count of felony homicide and a count of 2nd degree murder. SCSO said the Medical Examiner’s Office in Roanoke hasn’t confirmed the cause and manner of death because the autopsy report isn’t yet complete. The police investigation is also still “active and ongoing.” And the sheriff’s office said there could be more charges coming. Both Davidson an...
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Former Lancaster deputy charged with new child sex crimes
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Former Lancaster deputy charged with new child sex crimes

A former Lancaster County deputy has been arrested for child offenses again. According to Hanover Sheriff’s Office, last month, 29-year-old Motley Allen Haynie was posing as a juvenile online and interacted with an investigator. Haynie was attempting to arrange a meeting to engage in sexual activity. Hanover Sheriff’s Office said the individual was identified as Haynie, then, on July 25, warrants were obtained for two counts of solicitation of a minor and one count each for solicitation of child pornography and taking indecent liberties with a minor. At the time, a Lancaster Sheriff's Office employee, Motley Haynie graduates from Jail Basic at Rappahannock Criminal Justice Academy. (Photo: Public Records) Haynie, a Heathsville resident, has an open case in Lancaster where he wa...
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State of emergency declared in VA, what that means for Virginians
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State of emergency declared in VA, what that means for Virginians

Yesterday, Governor Glen Youngkin declared a state of emergency due to Tropical Storm Debby. An announcement from the Governor’s office stated the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center predict the potential for tropical storm force winds, heavy rain, and severe flooding across the entirety of the state. With that, there is the possibility of transportation difficulties and power outages. It’s necessary to pre-position response assets and supplies. And declaring a state of emergency allows the Commonwealth to mobilize the resources and equipment needed for response and recovery efforts. Consumer protection Declaring a state of emergency also triggers Virginia’s price gouging protections, Attorney General Miyares’ office noted. Those measures are designed to p...
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VA Beach man in fatal Norfolk crash, but VSP doesn’t know when it happened
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VA Beach man in fatal Norfolk crash, but VSP doesn’t know when it happened

A concerned friend discovered that 30-year-old Austin Trevor Hale of Virginia Beach had been in a fatal accident in Norfolk on July 31, but according to Virginia State Police, it’s unknown when that crash occurred. According to VSP, on Wednesday, the unnamed friend called the Emergency Communications Center and explained that he had not heard from Hale all day. The man got concerned, obtained Hale’s last known location, and routed the location back to Hale’s home. Double-sided car mount phone holder: $12.58 While the friend was out searching for Hale along the route, he saw skid marks on the left shoulder of the I-64 East exit ramp to I-264 West, VSP stated. The friend stopped to investigate and saw a vehicle in the woods laying on its side against a tree. Norfolk Fire and ...
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