The Virginia State Police HEAT program awarded five police departments and seventeen individuals for efforts in reducing vehicle theft across the Commonwealth during an event on August 26. Notably, the Prince William County Police Department won the top award for departments serving populations over 100,000, highlighting its significant contributions to auto theft enforcement.
Press Release from Virginia State Police:
The Virginia State Police (VSP) Help Eliminate Auto Theft (HEAT) program presented awards to five Virginia police departments and seventeen individuals to recognize their efforts in reducing vehicle theft and theft of vehicle parts across the Commonwealth. The awards ceremony took place on August 26 during the annual conference of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation held in Roanoke.
The following awards were presented by First Sergeant Peter Lazear, HEAT Program Coordinator:
The Prince William County Police Department was the agency winner for departments serving a population of more than 100,000, and the Henrico County Police Division and Newport News Police Department were finalists in the same category. The Salem Police Department took the top prize for departments serving a population from 20,001 to 100,000, and the Town of Hillsville Police Department received a certificate of merit.
Detective Scott Letteer, Henrico County Police Division, was an individual winner for departments serving a population of more than 100,000, and Trooper Garrison Wright and Senior Special Agent Heather Marshall, Virginia State Police, were winners across the Commonwealth.
Individual finalists for departments serving populations of more than 100,000 were Senior Officer Ralph Adams, Patrol Officer Matthew Cayne, and Patrol Officer Daniel Crosby, Henrico County Police Division. Sergeant Michael Roser and Trooper Eli Thies, Virginia State Police, were finalists across the Commonwealth.
Certificates of merit were presented to Patrol Officer Hunter Mitchell, Henrico County Police Division, for departments serving a population of over 100,000 and Trooper Alijia Annon and Trooper Jordan Corvin, Virginia State Police, for across the Commonwealth.
Special Agent Christopher Scherer, National Insurance Crime Bureau, received a certificate of merit in the public outreach category. Detective Sang Lee, Patrol Officer Julio Torres-Telez, Detective Hao Truong, Mr. William Reese, and Ms. Anna Whalen, Newport News Police Department, received certificates of merit in the same category.
The HEAT Awards program is open to all Virginia law enforcement entities and employees who work in auto theft enforcement and prevention. “We are grateful to law enforcement agencies and officers from throughout Virginia who join with the Virginia State Police in fighting vehicle theft,” Lazear said. “These annual awards are an opportunity to recognize outstanding efforts.”
“Virginia citizens also have an important role to play in preventing auto theft,” said First Sgt. Lazear. “By following a few common-sense tips, they can protect their vehicles.” The HEAT program recommends the following:
Take your keys and lock your doors every time you leave your vehicle.
Never leave valuables in plain sight in your vehicle. Place them in the trunk or somewhere out of sight.
At the request of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Culpeper Field Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting in the City of Fredericksburg.
At approximately 8:50 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 2), deputies from the Spotsylvania County Street Crimes Task Force attempted to apprehend a wanted suspect during a traffic stop at a gas station on the 3000 block of Plank Road. As deputies approached the suspect’s vehicle, Lawrence D. Toler II, 37, of Woodford, Va., attempted to flee and backed into a deputy’s vehicle. Toler then pointed a firearm at a deputy when multiple deputies discharged their service weapons. Toler was shot along with a bystander, who was standing outside the gas station. Deputies immediately rendered medical aid to both individuals.
The bystander, an adult male was transported to Mary Washington Hospital and treated for minor injuries. The male has since been released. Toler was transported to Mary Washington Hospital, where he is being treated for life-threatening injuries.
Toler is wanted out of Chesterfield on multiple felony warrants.
A firearm was located inside Toler’s vehicle.
No law enforcement officers or other persons were injured during the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing at this time. Once state police completes its investigation, the criminal investigative file will be turned over to the Fredericksburg Commonwealth’s Attorney for review and adjudication.
Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 540-829-7400 or [email protected].
The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Fairfax Field Office is currently investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred last evening (Oct. 30, 2024) along Interstate 95 southbound at the 150-mile marker.
At approximately 10:15 p.m., a Virginia State Police trooper located a vehicle wanted by the U.S. Parkway Police for a carjacking. The trooper attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspect vehicle refused to stop, and a pursuit was engaged.
During the pursuit, which continued southbound, the suspect vehicle struck another Virginia State Police vehicle, causing it to overturn. The trooper was not injured.
Around the 150-mile marker on Interstate 95 southbound, troopers were able to force the vehicle to come to a stop. During the stop, the driver refused multiple State Police commands. The driver made multiple abrupt furtive movements with his hands, causing state troopers on scene to utilize their duty weapons.
The driver was pronounced deceased on scene.
A male passenger was flown to Fairfax Hospital and is now in stable condition awaiting surgery. A third passenger is in State Police custody with no injuries.
The four troopers involved in the officer-involved shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
At the conclusion of the investigation, all evidence and information will be turned over to the Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney.
For information on the carjacking, please contact the U.S. Park Police.
Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal incident involving a tractor trailer on Interstate 95. The driver was found dead after the vehicle overturned on the roadway.
Press Release from Virginia State Police:
Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal tractor trailer crash that occurred this morning (Oct. 17, 2024) at 4:23 a.m. on Interstate 95 northbound at the 155-mile marker. Virginia State Police were initially called for a report of a pedestrian that had been stuck on the interstate. Upon arrival, troopers did locate an individual deceased in the roadway. Troopers were also alerted to a tractor trailer that had overturned a short distance away. Troopers were eventually able to identify the deceased person as the driver of the tractor trailer. The investigation shows the tractor trailer went onto the left shoulder of Interstate 95 northbound, then swerved backed onto the roadway, and the driver was thrown from the vehicle. The tractor trailer then continued northbound and struck a ditch and overturned. The identification of the driver is pending next of kin notification.
[Photo: Virginia State Police]The Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force arrested a 33-year-old Woodbridge resident following a three-month investigation into a drug operation in Culpeper and Prince William counties. Authorities seized 2,857 grams of Fentanyl, two handguns, a rifle, and over $26,000 in cash during searches at private residences.
Press Release from Virginia State Police:
The Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force has concluded a three-month investigation with the arrest of a Woodbridge, VA resident. Through the course of the investigation, officers learned of a multi-jurisdictional operation throughout Culpeper and Prince William counties.
On Thursday (Sept. 26) and Sunday (Sept. 29), officers executed search warrants at private residences in Culpeper and Prince William. As a result of the operation, 2857 grams (approximately 25,000 pills) of Fentanyl were seized along with two handguns, a rifle, and $26,363 in U.S. currency. One of the handguns was reported stolen out of the City of Manassas.
Skinner, S. L.
Task Force Officers arrested Stewart L. Skinner III, 33, and charged him with maintaining a fortified drug house, possession with intent to distribute schedule I/II controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of an automatic firearm. Skinner was also wanted out of Prince William County. He was transported to the Prince William County Adult Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.
This investigation is still ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Virginia State Police Blue Ridge Gang and Narcotic Task Force at 540-547-2997 or email at [email protected].
The Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force (BRNGTF) is composed of law enforcement personnel from the Culpeper, Fauquier, Orange, Madison, and Rappahannock Sheriff’s Offices, Culpeper, Warrenton, Orange Police Departments, and the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Culpeper Field Office.
A fatal paraglider crash is under investigation by Virginia State Police after occurring on September 20th at 6:36 p.m. in Fauquier County on Lucky Hill Road. The pilot, 77-year-old Robert N. Eaheart Jr. from Springfield, died upon impact when his paraglider lost control while trying to fly over a power plant smokestack and crashed to the ground. His body has been sent to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Manassas for autopsy.
No injuries were reported on the ground. The FAA and NTSB have been notified, and the investigation is ongoing.
Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal paraglider crash in Fauquier County. The crash occurred Friday (Sept. 20), at 6:36 p.m. on the 12000 block of Lucky Hill Road.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a paraglider attempted to fly directly over a power plant smokestack when it lost control and struck the ground.
The paraglider pilot, Robert N. Eaheart Jr., 77, of Springfield, Va., died at the scene of the crash. His remains were transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Manassas for an autopsy and examination.
No one on the ground was injured as a result of the crash.
Virginia State Police reported that a plane crashed while attempting an emergency landing in Fauquier County.
Press Release:
At 3:27 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 19), Virginia State Police responded to a report of a plane crash in Fauquier County. The crash occurred on the 14500 block on Spring Mill Road.
The preliminary investigation revealed a Single-Engine Cessna Aircraft attempted to make an emergency landing in a field when it collided with several trees.
The pilot, a 79-year-old male from Fredericksburg, Va., suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was flown to Fairfax Inova Hospital for treatment.
The pilot was the only occupant.
No one on the ground was injured as a result of the crash.
The Virginia State Police issued a critically missing adult alert on behalf of the Fredericksburg Police Department on August 26, 2024.
The Fredericksburg Police Department is looking for Nancy Elizabeth Briesemeister, race: White, sex: female, age: 86 years old, height: 5’4″, weight: 100 lbs., with blue eyes and white hair.
She was last seen on August 26, 2024, at 3:30 PM in the 2200 block of Carl D. Silver Parkway, Fredericksburg, Virginia. Her clothing description is unknown at this time. She is possibly driving a gray 2019 Toyota Camry displaying Virginia plates: TXZ-4778.
This disappearance poses a credible threat to her health and safety as determined by the investigating agency.
Please contact the Fredericksburg Police Department [24/7 dispatch] with any information regarding her whereabouts at (540) 654-5911 or you may find complete information at https://vsp.virginia.gov/active-alerts/.
[Photo: Virginie State Police]A Stafford County man is now among the ranks of the Virginia State Police.
Press release:
A resident of Stafford County, and a resident of Fauquier County, were among the 21 Virginia State Police Troopers who graduated from the 141st Basic Session on Friday, August 23, 2024, at the VSP Academy in North Chesterfield, Va. During the 141st Basic Session’s 30 weeks at the VSP Academy, trooper-trainees received instruction in more than 100 different subjects over the course of hundreds of hours. Academy training includes areas such as crime scene investigation, judicial procedures, self-defense, cultural diversity, and firearms.
Trooper Jackson Ulmer, 23, of Stafford County, will have a first duty assignment of Bedford County. Ulmer is a graduate of Roanoke College with a degree in Data Science.
Trooper Emmerson Carmichael, 46, of Catlett, Va., will have a first duty assignment in Arlington County.
These new troopers will report to their duty assignments on September 3, 2024. For their final phase of training, each Trooper will spend an additional six weeks paired with a Field Training Officer learning his or her new patrol area.
As the need for highly-skilled and capable law enforcement officers increases, the Department continues to seek qualified applicants for the position of trooper. All interested applicants are encouraged to contact the Virginia State Police Recruitment Office at www.vatrooper.com.
