Saturday, October 10WATCHFUL EYE

Tag: Crime

After large seizure of explosives in Smithfield, Feds trying to block suspect’s release
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After large seizure of explosives in Smithfield, Feds trying to block suspect’s release

The US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) is working to keep 36-year-old Brad Kenneth Spafford in custody after claiming the search of his farm in Smithfield led to what may be “the largest seizure by number of finished explosive devices in FBI history.” Spafford was arrested on December 17 and charged with a single count of possession of an unregistered short-barrel rifle. However, federal court documents show, in addition to that gun, the FBI located more than 150 homemade improvised explosive devices deemed as pipe bombs. Some were “preloaded into an apparent wearable vest.” Most of the devices were found in a detached garage but some were in bedroom in the house Spafford shared with his wife and two children in a completely unsecured backpack labeled “#nolivesma...
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16-year-old allegedly caught trying steal 23 guns after Virginia Beach break-in
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16-year-old allegedly caught trying steal 23 guns after Virginia Beach break-in

A 16-year-old from Chesapeake was caught allegedly trying to steal 23 guns from a firearms dealer in Virginia Beach. At approximately 1:16 a.m. on December 14, the firearms dealer called in to report a burglary in process at his business in the 900 block of Reon Dr., Virginia Beach Police Dept. stated. When officers arrived at the scene, they caught the teenager still inside. VBPD is applauding the business owner’s decision to install surveillance cameras. “We are incredibly thankful the owner implemented surveillance cameras in his business,” said VBPD Chief Paul Neudigate. “As a result, he was able to discover the crime in progress and quickly alert law enforcement. Our officers were able to immediately respond and arrest the subject. In doing so, they prevented 23 firearms that...
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Public aids Suffolk police in arrest of most wanted & alleged church shooter
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Public aids Suffolk police in arrest of most wanted & alleged church shooter

Within days, Suffolk Police arrested suspects in two unrelated shootings, and both arrests were made possible due to help from the community. Micheal McKinley Jr. who Suffolk Police Department as its “#1 most wanted” was arrested on December 11. Suffolk Police named the 22-year-old as the suspect in a shooting incident that occurred on November 29 in the 100 block of Kennet Drive. SPD alleges he shot at two people in a vehicle and an occupied dwelling. No one was injured during this incident, but McKinley already had numerous active violent felony warrants including charges of attempted murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, the department announced. SPD described McKinley as armed and dangerous and called on the public for assistance locating him. After hi...
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Man who escaped ICE facility in Caroline sentenced, now appealing
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Man who escaped ICE facility in Caroline sentenced, now appealing

Dennis Zeledon Hernandez, the Salvadorian man who escaped from Caroline Detention Facility (CDF), was sentenced last Wednesday. But he’s adding to his lengthy legal tennis match with the federal government by filing an appeal. Early years in U.S. Court records show Zeledon Hernandez has a history with the feds that dates back to July 2016 when ICE officials found him near the border in Hidalgo, TX. At that time, he claimed to fear gang members in El Salvador. An asylum officer found he demonstrated credible fear of persecution, and he was served with a Notice to Appear that warned that failure to appear may result in a removal order and arrest, the records state. After several months in ICE detention, Zeledon Hernandez was ordered to be released on bond. Court records show, a mont...
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Jury acquits one of two brothers charged for murdering Westmoreland, VA teacher
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Jury acquits one of two brothers charged for murdering Westmoreland, VA teacher

One of the two brothers accused of murdering a teacher in Westmoreland County, VA was acquitted Dec 5. Demetri Raymond Gardiner, 30, of Leonardtown, MD faced charges of 2nd degree murder, arson of an occupied dwelling, and 3 counts of animal cruelty causing death. Those charges stemmed from the murder of Taylor Wood, his brother’s 29-year-old girlfriend, and the burning of her house with her body and three dogs inside. Need to Catch Up? See… 2 men held in MD accused of murdering Westmoreland, VA school teacher Brothers returned to Virginia to face murder charges in Westmoreland According to testimony from forensic expert Dr. Jennifer Bowers, of the VA Medical Examiner’s Office, Wood’s death was caused by stab wounds to her neck area. Bowers testified that her finding...
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VA Beach police link robbery suspect to Chesapeake shooting
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VA Beach police link robbery suspect to Chesapeake shooting

Virginia Beach Police Department linked a robbery suspect to a shooting in Chesapeake, and 21-year-old Timothy Eugene Lane Jr. is now facing charges in both cities. VBPD officers responded to a home invasion robbery call in the 700 block of Brook Meadow Ct. on Oct. 15. The investigation led to Lane being identified as the suspect, and when he was arrested police recovered a gun, the department stated. That gun was submitted to the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) and was linked to a shooting in Chesapeake that occurred the day before the alleged home invasion robbery, revealed VBPD. The evidence was shared with Chesapeake PD, which then filed charges against Lane too. For the Virginia Beach incident, Lane is charged with daytime armed burglary, armed...
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Police claim to have recording of Ridgeway woman discussing murder-for-hire plot
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Police claim to have recording of Ridgeway woman discussing murder-for-hire plot

A 44-year-old Ridgeway woman is being held at Henry County Adult Detention Center with no bond after being arrested for a murder-for-hire plot. A confidential informant, who was working with law enforcement, met with Gennevieve McGhee at her residence on Chestnut Knob Rd. on Nov. 26., Henry County Sheriff’s Office reported. That informant used “a recording device” during the encounter, and McGhee allegedly outlined “detailed plans” for a robbery and murder, including the payment arrangements and detailed instructions of how she wanted it carried out, HCSO said. The recording device captured video and audio, and "McGhee was positively identified as the individual speaking with the source," HCSO also stated. McGhee was taken into custody by Henry County deputies on Nov. 27 and i...
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17-year-old charged for shooting teen in Herndon
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17-year-old charged for shooting teen in Herndon

A 17-year-old male of Alexandria has been arrested and charged for shooting another teenager Monday night in Herndon. Shortly after 9 p.m. on Monday, Herndon Police Department announced Cavalier Drive was closed between Saber Lane and Third Street as police were on the scene due to a shooting. Yesterday, HPD announced the victim of that shooting was a 16-year-old male who got into an altercation with the suspect. The suspect allegedly shot the younger boy multiple times in the upper body. But HPD said the victim was able to run to his house, and a family member rushed him to the hospital. As of yesterday, his condition was stable, according to HPD. Between the investigative leads and witness accounts, HPD said they were able to quickly identify the suspect who was taken into cu...
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4 juveniles hospitalized after police chase ends in fiery crash
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4 juveniles hospitalized after police chase ends in fiery crash

All four juveniles rescued from a burning car amid a police chase have been hospitalized, Virginia State Police announced. The chase was initiated Monday night on Van Dorn St. by Alexandria Police after an officer reportedly attempted to stop a Hyundai Elantra suspected to be stolen out of Prince George’s County, Maryland. According to VSP, the car refused to stop and state police joined the pursuit at Van Dorn and Vine streets at approximately 11:19 p.m. VSP said the pursuit went along Van Dorn Street, Telegraph Road, Route 236, and Route 1. While on Rt. 1, the Elantra driver allegedly rammed a trooper who crashed into a power pole and brought down the wires onto the roadway. The Elantra kept going, VSP said. And the driver allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of R...
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2 Fredericksburg suspects accused of murder for body found in Caroline
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2 Fredericksburg suspects accused of murder for body found in Caroline

Last week, Caroline County Sheriff’s Office announced there was an investigation underway after a Stafford man’s body was discovered by a gravel road in a rural part of the county on the morning of Nov. 18. The man had no known connections to the area where he was found. And preliminary investigations indicate that the victim was abducted, transported, and shot in the area of Caroline where he was found, the Sheriff’s Office said. Days later, CCSO arrested two Fredericksburg suspects, 30-year-old Laurel Ainsleigh Thrift and 47-year-old James William Jackson. Explaining how the pair were caught, CCSO said during the investigation, investigators went and interviewed people in Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Fredericksburg. That provided critical leads that led CCSO to request assistance...
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