Police

Chesterfield police officer fired

By Caleb M Soptelean on April 23, 2019 Community, Police

Chesterfield Police Chief Jeffrey Katz announced last week that he terminated Daniel Morley, a former school resource officer at L.C. Bird High School who had been linked to white nationalism. In an April 18 press release, Katz said, “Our community deserves to know the men and women of their police department respect and revere them – whoever they may be. It is true that Mr. Morley has a First Amendment right to free speech and association. However, the views espoused by and attributed to Mr. Morley violate county and departmental policy and our organizational values; his continued employment is antithetical…

Meth lab in shed leads to two arrests

By Becky Wright on April 16, 2019 For the Record, Police

Melody L. UptonRobert L. Upton Two people were arrested and charged after a methamphetamine lab was discovered last week in a shed at 10100 Post Horn Drive, north of Centralia Road. Police were dispatched April 10 for a report that a man might be trespassing. Upon arrival, police found a man and a woman in the shed. The man initially gave officers a false ID and tried to flee, police spokeswoman Liz Caroon said. Officers spoke to the renter of the property, who asked that the woman be removed. When officers went into the shed with her so she could…

Police get new black uniforms: New technology will help keep officers cooler, drier

By Becky Wright on April 16, 2019 Police

For 36 years, Chesterfield County Police have worn green and black uniforms. As of last week, patrol officers were given an alternative: a black uniform made of polyester and cotton infused with charcoal. The fabric stretches, and the charcoal wicks sweat away in order to reduce heat. It also has some water-repellant qualities. The new uniforms are considered a utility uniform, while the green and black will be used as a dress uniform and for administrators. Police Chief Jeffrey S. Katz said the department’s uniforms had not changed since 1983. The new uniforms are more durable and more breathable and…

Feds take up case of illegal immigrant charged with weapons offenses

By Caleb M Soptelean on April 9, 2019 Courts, For the Record, Police

Carlos Menjivar A 21-year-old man residing in the country illegally had firearms, ammunition and forgery charges withdrawn Feb. 21 by the Chesterfield commonwealth attorney’s office, with the case scheduled to be picked up by the U.S. attorney’s office. Carlos Maurice Azucar Menjivar was arrested Sept. 25 at the Moore’s Lake area off Jefferson Davis Highway. A blue Chevrolet sport utility vehicle that he was driving displayed a tag in the windshield that belonged to an Acura owned by a woman, a court document states. Menjivar had been charged with possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, possession of a…

Canadian dies after being struck by truck

By Caleb M Soptelean on April 9, 2019 For the Record, Police

A 40-year-old Ontario, Canada, man died Friday, April 5, after he was struck by a pickup while crossing in the 2400 block of West Hundred Road between Sunoco and Exxon gas stations. According to the Chesterfield County Police Department, the man – Lance A.M. Owl – was struck around 11:30 p.m. by a red pickup truck that was traveling westbound. Witnesses attempted CPR immediately. The man was transported to a local medical facility where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the pickup truck remained on scene.

Snake salesman? Miller charged after eight rattlesnakes found in his residence

By Caleb M Soptelean on April 9, 2019 Courts, For the Record, Police

A Chesterfield resident has been charged with snake possession. Matthew R. Miller was recently issued nine summonses charging him with possessing a wild or exotic animal – all misdemeanors – in violation of county code. The summonses were dated March 25. He is scheduled to be in Chesterfield General District Court at 9 a.m. June 12. County animal services director Carrie Jones said Matthew R. Miller, 44, of the 3600 block of Thurston Road, reportedly had nine western diamondback rattlesnakes, but only eight were found after a warrant was issued. The snakes were seized and transferred to a Richmond resident…

Woman charged with arson

By Becky Wright on April 2, 2019 Courts, Fire & EMS, For the Record, Police

A Chesterfield Fire Marshal and county police arrested Chester resident Staci D. Austin, 46, on March 29 and charged her with one count of arson for a March 17 two-alarm fire at Interstate Inn in the 2100 block of Indian Hill Road. Austin is being held at the Chesterfield County Jail. One person suffered life-threatening injuries, and three county police officers who suffered smoke inhalation were transported to a hospital. Fire officials said that 33 people were displaced, including 26 adults and seven children. Upon arrival, Capt. Joe Harvey of Chesterfield Fire and EMS said firefighters found heavy fire showing…

Man charged with involuntary manslaughter

By Press release on April 2, 2019 Courts, For the Record, Police

The driver of a dump truck involved in a fatal crash that occurred in the 17200 block of Genito Road on Feb. 13, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in relation to the incident. Samuel M. Allebaugh II, 57, of the 3200 block of Tanners Way, turned himself in March 28 after police obtained a warrant the same day. Police said a 1999 Ford F-Series dump truck was traveling on Genito Road when it went partially off the road, the driver overcorrected, and crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a 2009 Honda Accord. The driver of the Honda, Karen E.…

Police identify man found in 2016

By Press release on April 2, 2019 Obituaries, Police

Chesterfield Police last week released the identity of a man whose remains were found March 13, 2016, near the 1300 block of Bellwood Road. Hassan A. Alkebu-Lan, 39, of Richmond, was identified using a DNA technology company in Reston, Parabon NanoLabs after traditional investigative methods were unfruitful. Using biological material from the unknown man, DNA Labs International, a private forensics laboratory in Florida, supplied a suitable DNA sample for Parabon to use for genetic genealogy analysis. Parabon submitted a genetic data profile of the unidentified man to a public genetic genealogy database, called GEDmatch, for comparison in hopes of finding…

Chesterfield Police initiate terminations of two officers: White nationalist ties reported in one case, another involves soliciting a minor online

By Caleb M Soptelean on March 26, 2019 Police

Simeon Steers-SmithDaniel Morley Chesterfield County Police Chief Jeffrey Katz removes audio gear following a March 22 press conference in which he announced the arrest of police officer Simeon Steers-Smith on a charge of soliciting a minor online. (Caleb M. Soptelean photo) It was a rough week for Chesterfield Police. The Chesterfield County Police Department last week suspended a police officer after reports linked him to Identity Evropa, a white nationalist organization that has apparently rebranded under the name American Identity Movement. Another officer, Simeon Steers-Smith, was charged with soliciting a minor online. Steers-Smith has been employed with CCPD since May…

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