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VSP wants witnesses for Chesapeake crash that killed 19-year-old
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VSP wants witnesses for Chesapeake crash that killed 19-year-old

Virginia State Police is seeking witnesses for a fatal crash in Chesapeake on the evening of February 19. Details are limited as the investigation remains underway “due to the complexity of crash.” However, thus far, VSP said it appears that a 2000 grey Toyota Solara and a 2008 red Pontiac Vibe, were traveling southbound on I-664 when they made contact. Both drivers lost control and both hit the guardrail. The Pontiac, was driven by 18-year-old Elvis Cruz. The vehicle flipped over, but Cruz survived and was transported to Norfolk Sentara Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to VSP. The Toyota was driven by 19-year-old Lauryn Ni'kole Leonard of Suffolk. VSP said she was killed upon impact. Neither driver was carrying any passengers. VSP is asking anyo...
Search for suspect underway after woman sexually assaulted in Alexandria
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Search for suspect underway after woman sexually assaulted in Alexandria

The Alexandria Police Department has detectives in the field today in the vicinity of an alleged sexual assault that occurred overnight. According to APD, a woman was walking in the area of Mount Vernon and Commonwealth Avenue after midnight. A stranger attacked her, assaulted her, and, as of this morning, she was still being treated at local hospital, police say. Detectives are slated to spend today canvassing the area and talking to members of the community. Raul Pedroso, the interim police chief, said the department is ensuring the detectives have all the resources needed for this investigation and he announced the department has increased patrols in the area. “We are committed to ensuring the safety of our community. The search for the sexual assault suspect is a top priority,...
3-vehicle crash in Middlesex injures 7 people
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3-vehicle crash in Middlesex injures 7 people

Seven people were injured in a three-vehicle crash on Rt. 33 in Middlesex on Monday, VSP reported. The accident occurred shortly before 5 p.m. just east of Mill Creek Rd. and blocked the eastbound and westbound sides of Rt 33. VSP said its preliminary investigation revealed 30-year-old Taylor Mae Moore of Hardyville was driving a 2007 Honda Civic and rear-ended a 2014 Subaru Outback as it stopped in the eastbound lane of Route 33 for additional traffic ahead. The Subaru, driven by 43-year-old Ann Regan Wynne of Deltaville, then struck a 2007 Toyota Tundra that was heading west. Moore sustained serious injuries and her passengers, two girls ages 10 and 5, were also injured, VSP reported. Wynne, who was traveling alone, was transported for injuries. And Donna Jean Ashby, the 4...
Home explosion in Sterling kills firefighter
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Home explosion in Sterling kills firefighter

An investigation and autopsy proceedings are underway after 13 people were injured and one was killed in a home explosion on Silver Ridge Drive in Sterling Friday night. Loudoun County Fire & Rescue (LCFR) said a 911 call came in about 7:38 p.m. reporting an odor of gas outside a residence. Rescue units found a 500-gallon underground propane tank with a leak on the side of the residence, said LCFR. They requested the Loudoun County’s Hazardous Materials Response Team as well as additional units from Sterling, South Riding, numerous command staff and safety officers report to the scene. According to LCFR, “a short time later, units on scene reported a catastrophic explosion concurrent with multiple maydays from firefighters inside the residence.” At that point, a Rapid Inter...
Stringfellow Rd. in Fairfax closing this weekend
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Stringfellow Rd. in Fairfax closing this weekend

Stringfellow Road in Fairfax will be closing this weekend to allow for the installation of a water main. The northbound and southbound lanes of Rt. 645, Stringfellow Rd., between Route 29 and Centreville Farms Road are scheduled to close at 7 a.m Saturday, Feb. 17, until 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, VDOT announced. Local traffic can still use Stringfellow Road between Centreville Farms Road and Autumn Willow Drive. But, Stringfellow Road will be closed to all traffic in both directions between Autumn Willow Drive and Route 29. Through traffic will be detoured via Route 29 and Centreville Farms Road back to Stringfellow Road. VDOT said this work is part of the of the Route 29 Widening Project, which is making improvements along Route 29 between Union Mill Road and Buckleys Gate Dr...
Man facing fentanyl terrorism charge after Fredericksburg raid
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Man facing fentanyl terrorism charge after Fredericksburg raid

Another incident has led to more charges for 24-year-old Jaquan Mincy of Fredericksburg. On Tuesday, at about 6:30 in the morning, the Fredericksburg Police Department’s Special Equipment Tactical Team executed a search warrant on an apartment in the 600 block of Greenbrier Court. FPD said action was taken with the expectation of finding illegal drugs. Inside, FPD said authorities reportedly found over 800 pressed fentanyl pills, approximately 300 grams of marijuana, over $10,000 in cash, and drug paraphernalia. Mincy was arrested and charged with possession, manufacture, or distribution of a weapon of terrorism containing fentanyl and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana. He is currently being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. This marks the 3rd...
Employee at Williamsburg vape shop charged after seizure of weed, THC products
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Employee at Williamsburg vape shop charged after seizure of weed, THC products

Basheer Amin Hassin, a 26-year-old Bronx, NY man, is currently in Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail facing a felony marijuana charge stemming from alleged complaints about weed sales at a Williamsburg vape shop. James City County Police (JCCP) said the charge came after an extensive months-long investigation into the illicit sale of marijuana and cannabinoid products. Over several months, there were multiple complaints about the illegal sale of marijuana and high-THC products, said JCCP. But within recent weeks, the claims started to allege sales to juveniles, and that prompted action by law enforcement. On January 31, agents from the Tri-Rivers Drug Task Force along with JCCP’s Criminal Investigations and Patrol Units executed a search warrant at King J Tobacco & Vape at 4511 ...
Before sentencing for daytime shooting in Newport News, 19-year-old cites ‘spiritual growth’
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Before sentencing for daytime shooting in Newport News, 19-year-old cites ‘spiritual growth’

Hoping for leniency after shooting a man during a weed robbery, 19-year-old Brycen Scott Beal of Newport News, wrote a letter to U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson stating he was “reading books, “studying the Bible for spiritual growth” and wanted to get married. Beal pled guilty to charges linked to a broad daylight shooting and was sentenced on February 13, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) announced. Robbery & shooting Court documents show Beal admitted that, about midday on February 21, 2023, he arranged to meet D.M in the parking lot of Patriots Crossing Apartment Complex in Newport News to buy marijuana. But instead of making a purchase, Beal reached into D.M.’s vehicle and snatched a backpack that had about 6.5 ounces of weed. ...
40-year-old Woodbridge twins alleged shoplifting attempt leads to drug charge
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40-year-old Woodbridge twins alleged shoplifting attempt leads to drug charge

A set of 40-year-old twins from Woodbridge was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly committing a brazen act of shoplifting. According to Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, deputy R.L. Hubbard and deputy S.A. Hensley were dispatched to the Walmart at 11 Village Parkway around 5:30 p.m. for a report of two males who were allegedly walking out of the store with unpaid merchandise. The deputies found the pair in Lidl parking lot, and they had shopping carts, SCSO reported. Those shopping carts were filled with approximately $650 worth of items, including 10 bottles of laundry detergent, nine packages of lighters, four hams, and Zebra Cakes, SCSO added. A cart of items the Haglers are accused of stealing (Photo: SCSO) The two men were identified as Anthony Hagler and Nicholas Hagler, an...
Virginia State Police release name of unidentified pedestrian killed in Augusta
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Virginia State Police release name of unidentified pedestrian killed in Augusta

Virginia State Police were calling on the public to help identify a white male killed along Rt. 11 in Augusta. That man has now been identified as Tony L. Epperson, age 37, of West Augusta. According to VSP, at midnight, on February 9, Trooper A.J Garasimowicz was dispatched to the scene of a fatal pedestrian crash along Route 11 north at the Interstate 81 northbound entrance ramp in Greenville. A vehicle was attempting to merge onto the I-81 ramp and hit the man who was “walking in the roadway.” Epperson was wearing all-black, non-reflective clothing that included a hoodie, cargo-style pants, and black sneakers. He had his back to traffic, VSP reported. The driver, who wasn’t identified, could not avoid striking the pedestrian, VSP determined. The driver remained on scene, and...