May 2012 Today's Good News - City of Richmond

May 2012 

Today’s Good News 

Tuesday, May 1 

While working at an off duty assignment this past weekend, First Precinct Lt. John Beazley 

received information from Officer Daniel Burgess that a man had been stealing money from the 

parking honor boxes. As Lt. Beazley prepared to go home for the night, he spotted the suspect 

near an honor box on Dock Street and began walking toward him. The man then rode away 

quickly on his bike, but Lt. Beazley followed and caught him at another honor box with his hand 

inside. As the man tried to flee, Lt. Beazley caught him, and with the assistance of Acting Lt. 

Victor Green, the suspect was arrested, found with chunks of currency and charged with larceny 

and possession of burglary tools. Good work! 

Wednesday, May 2 

Fourth Precinct Officer Larry New recently responded to a shoplifting call on West Broad Street 

and quickly broadcast the suspect’s description. Sgt. Leonard Broadnax and Acting Sgt. 

Raymond Misegades spotted and detained the suspect in a nearby alley. After further 

investigation, the man was found with the stolen items on his person and charged with grand 

larceny. Good quick teamwork! 

Thursday, May 3 

During the month of April, Third Precinct Officer Taylor Gainous initiated several patrol tactics 

to drive down burglaries in certain neighborhoods. Thanks to his hard work, when he responded 

to a burglary in the Forest Hill neighborhood, he was quickly able to develop strong leads. As he 

investigated further, he was able to find the suspicious vehicle in the area, and with the help of 

additional Third Precinct officers, arrested the occupants without incident. The capture of these 

three offenders cleared two burglaries and shows Officer Gainous’ initiative and commitment to 

the community. Good work! 

Friday, May 4 

Kudos to Officer Nicholas Wallis who was named First Precinct’s Officer of the Month for 

April! In addition to Officer Wallis’ 92 radio calls, assisting with 38 units and conducting 11 selfinitiated 

investigations; he dedicated a portion of his tour each day in April to combating the 

increase in property crimes throughout the Oak Grove community. He and his fellow officers in 

Sector 112 aggressively patrolled and remained highly visible in an attempt to curb daytime 

burglaries. His commitment to the area has made an impact and the community is that much 

better because of his efforts. Thank you Officer Wallis! 

NO WEEKEND NEWS 

Monday, May 7 

Kudos to Officer Kenneth Coleman who was named Fourth Precinct’s Officer of the Month 

for April! Officer Coleman had a very productive month of policing in April, responding to and 

handling 115 calls for service and assisting 53 other units. But his significant activity for the month 

produced the seizure of 27 grams of marijuana with a street value of $300, a 9 millimeter gun and 

$350 in cash. These items seized were taken in the arrest of a wanted fugitive. Officer Coleman’s 

knowledge of Sector 411, in particular the Meadowbridge corridor and its adjacent communities, 

has assisted in seizures like this and he, along with his fellow sector officers, delivered a 

significant blow to the drug trade in this area last month. Thank you Officer Coleman! 


Kudos to Officer Kevin Knudsen who was named Second Precinct’s Officer of the Month for 

April! Officer Knudsen’s favorite way to meet the citizens of Sector 211 is on a bicycle. He 

volunteers to ride bike patrol every chance he gets. Citizens would yell “hello” to him as he rode 

by and he would stop and chat with them. His bike patrols have made Officer Knudsen well

known and trusted among many individuals who live there. This trust has led to him receiving 

valuable information on individuals who may be involved in criminal activity in the area. Officer 

Knudsen feels he is doing his best service for the community by addressing offenders where they 

live and reducing crime in the community by removing the criminals. Thank you Officer Knudsen! 


The Second Precinct Burglary Action Team recently wrapped up a month-long assignment 

targeting daytime burglaries in the Elkhardt, Southwood, Swanson, Midlothian, Warwick and 

Woodhaven neighborhoods. The result? A whopping 64 percent reduction in burglaries! Good 

job Sgt. Sean Adams and Officers Todd Hall, Greg Boyles, Daniel Awad and Randy Hager! 

By bicycle, foot and vehicle, these officers used a variety of patrol techniques to monitor the 

areas, resulting in 11 misdemeanor arrests, 11 felony arrests, 19 warrants being served, 189 field 

interview reports and 182 hours of bicycling and walking patrol. The team was also key in the 

identification and arrest of three men who robbed two people on Broad Rock Boulevard. One of 

the best aspects to this special unit, however, was forming positive, first-name basis relationships 

with residents, both neighbors and officers said. 


Fourth Precinct Officer Donnie Watkins not only attempts to deter major crimes, but also works 

to address quality of issues, which often lead to violence and property crimes. For example, 

during a recent shift, he spotted a woman drinking in public who tried to hide the alcohol. He cited 

her for littering and having an open container. He knew her from previous arrests and would cite 

her again for the same crimes later that same day. Officer Watkins is diligent in trying to send a 

message that these petty crimes won’t be tolerated and that offenders need to clean up their act. 

To some, they may seem like small crimes, but these crimes can and do lead to bigger problems 

if not curbed. Thank you Officer Watkins! 


First Precinct Officers Steven Moore and Anthony Catoggio recently stopped a vehicle for a 

traffic violation, but immediately marijuana. A search of the vehicle revealed a firearm, $1,000 in 

cash and a 7-Up can that didn’t seem quite right. Upon further inspection of the can, Officer 

Moore found a hidden compartment that contained heroin and crack cocaine. They arrested the 

offender and charged him with two counts of possession of drugs with intent to distribute, 

possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of possession of a firearm while in 

possession of narcotics, having a concealed weapon and unlawful stopping on a highway. Good 

work officers! 



First Precinct Focus Mission Team Officers were recently patrolling on Rosecrest Avenue 

when they observed a hand-to-hand drug transaction near a residence. After observing drug 

paraphernalia inside the home and obtaining a search warrant, they found and seized two 

firearms and multiple narcotics. They arrested one person and charged him with four felonies and 

a misdemeanor. Good work! 


Fourth Precinct Officers Lloyd Boothe III, Scott Land and Donnell Patterson recently 

coordinated with Aggravated Assault Detective Chris Foultz to find a man wanted for shooting 

another man in Gilpin Court. The group worked together to identify the probably location and the 

patrol officers immediately spotted the suspect. As they took him into custody without incident, 

they recovered a firearm from his person. The suspect also confessed that the firearm was the 

same one he used in the shooting! The teamwork and responsiveness displayed by these officers 

removed a dangerous individual from the streets and likely prevented future acts of violence. 

Good work!


First Precinct officers recently responded for an in-progress, early-morning burglary on Keswick 

Avenue. As Officer Michael Adamski pulled up, he saw the burglar coming out of the window 

and quickly arrested him with a stolen radio in hand. With the assistance of Officer James Peck 

and Detective George Mihalcoe, the man was interviewed and charged with burglary, grand 

larceny and property damage. Good work! 


First Precinct Officer Daniel Burgess recently responded to East Main Street and found a man 

who had been shot during an attempted robbery. He broadcast the suspect’s description and 

Officer John Esposito’s keen eyes spotted the suspect a few streets away. He quickly took the 

man into custody and with the help of Sgt. Michael Rogers and Major Crimes detectives, the 

man was charged with aggravated assault and use of a firearm during the commission of a 

felony. Good job! 


Third and Fourth Precinct officers recently responded to two separate robberies one afternoon 

and quickly linked the crimes. The offender first tried to rob a bank on West Cary Street, but was 

arrested within an hour after he tried to rob an employee at a hotel on North Boulevard. Good 

teamwork by Third Precinct Officer Jennifer Barlow and Det. William Cutshall as well as 

Fourth Precinct Officers Sheryl Austin-Sommerville, Thomas Croce and Scott Land, Det. 

John T. Walker, Sgt. Intagliato and several other officers! 



A man recently wrote to commend First Precinct Environmental Officer Harold Ford for his 

assistance. Officer Ford helped arrange for the man and his young grandchildren to watch a train 

roll into downtown in from a safe location that would not interfere with an ongoing meeting inside 

the historic building. “He made sure the two children had junior police officer badges, coloring 

books and perhaps another great gift or two that the kids loved,” the man wrote. “This is the 

impression I want every child in America to have of police officers. Harold Ford left me feeling 

quite proud to be a Richmond native and of my time in law enforcement training here in Virginia. 

“I suspect this man is exceptional, but he sure made a strong, positive impression on two young 

people and one old geezer who deeply appreciates what I just saw of the Richmond Police. Many 

thanks and thanks for the kind attention of Harold Ford.” 


First Precinct Officer Daniel Burgess recently responded to East Main Street to investigate and 

assault and robbery. He interviewed the victim and broadcast the suspect’s description. Lt. 

Ronnie Armstead and Sgt. Darrell Goins spotted the man running in an alley nearby and 

quickly arrested him. After Det. Dana Brereton interviewed witnesses and the victim, she 

charged the suspected with robbery, aggravated assault and possession of marijuana. Good 

work! 


Third Precinct Officer David Hoath recently responded to Forest Hill Avenue for a report of a 

man robbed by two males. With the assistance of a nurse, Officer Hoath interviewed the victim 

and then searched for the offenders. After finding and interviewing both men, he charged them 

with robbery. Good job! 


First Precinct Officer Matthew Robinson recently responded to Hull Street for a report of an 

attempted robbery. Officer Robinson broadcast the suspects’ descriptions and Officers William 

Shipman and Michael Polley spotted one of the men nearby and gave chase when he ran. The

man ran back toward Officer Robinson, who caught and arrested him without incident. After being 

interviewed by Detectives Kevin Hughes and Dana Brereton, the man was charged with 

attempted robbery and trespassing. Good teamwork! 


First Precinct Focus Mission Team Tactical Officers John Rotondi, Thomas Gilbert and 

Harry Fitzpatrick were on routine patrol earlier this month when they noticed three men pushing 

a Supercan down the alley. Though the trio tried to act casual, the officers knew something was 

up. They stopped the group and discovered numerous stolen items inside the Supercan. 

Detectives George Mihalcoe and David Cuffley responded and, after talking with the men, 

identified the burglarized homes and linked the group to 27 burglaries! From Jan. 1 to May 8, 

there were 51 burglaries in those areas. Since these arrests, there has been one. Good job! 


Monday, May 28—CITY HOLIDAY 


Second Precinct Officer Greg Boyles recently tried to stop a vehicle on Broad Rock Boulevard 

that was reported stolen in the county. Though the driver initially refused to stop, he later crashed 

into several parked cars on Hey Road. After a short foot chase, Officer Boyles caught the driver 

and charged him with grand larceny, driving on a suspended license, felony attempt to elude 

police and three counts of hit and run. Thank you Officer Boyles for your determination and 

keeping everyone safe during such a dangerous incident. 


First Precinct Officers Eric Fries and Andre Lester recently responded for an in-progress 

burglary on East Richmond Road. The officers spotted at least one of the men with a gun and 

after receiving more detailed information and backup officers from Communications Officers 

Joel Klein, Delivia Byrd and Carmen Martinez, they stopped the man, secured his firearm and 

interviewed him. With the help of Officers Osnel Alexander and Michael Morris, Sgt. Bill 

Chorney and Detective Calvin Layne, the officers arrested that man and a second person and 

charged them both with felony grand larceny, burglary and possession of a firearm during a 

felony. Good job! 


Second Precinct Officers recently responded for a burglary and assault on Logandale Avenue. 

Officers interviewed the victim and quickly searched the area and located the suspect. After 

further investigation, the suspect was charged with burglary and aggravated assault. Good quick 

teamwork officers!

May 2012 Today's Good News - City of Richmond

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?