Virginians need to prepare now for Hurricane Earl, which is forecasted to be a Category 3 or 4 hurricane as it approaches Virginia’s coast later this week.
The forecasted path for Earl has changed several times so it is important for Virginians, especially those living in the Hampton Roads region, to pay close attention to the storm. Those in Hampton Roads should review their evacuation and shelter plans. Also, people should make sure they have their emergency supplies ready.
“A small change in Earl’s forecasted path could bring a major hurricane to …

On Thursday, Aug. 19, Special Investigations detectives conducted a traffic stop on a known drug target, James A. Thomas, in the 3900 block of Hull Street.
As they approached Thomas’ car, detectives saw narcotics in plain view. After arresting him, they found the below items inside the vehicle:

one stolen handgun;
one ounce of marijuana;
75 Ecstasy pills;
30 Oxycodone pills;
two grams of heroin; and,
*$600 in cash.

James A. Thomas, 32, of the 5500 block of Handel Court in Chesterfield, has been charged with multiple drug offenses. His wife, LaTanya D. Thomas, 34, of the same …

Richmond Police need the public’s help in identifying the man pictured at right who robbed the SunTrust Bank at 1101 Azalea Avenue Thursday afternoon.
At approximately 3:15 p.m. today, a man walked into the bank and slipped the teller a note demanding money. He did not display a weapon, and was last seen walking west on Azalea Avenue.
The robber is described as a dark-skinned black male with a thin goatee, approximately 5’10” to 6’ tall and weighing about 210 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, faded blue jeans, …

RICHMOND – The man was between 35 and 50 years old. He had long, brown hair and weighed approximately 180 pounds at a height of five feet seven inches. He was wearing Levi Straus blue jeans with a black, long-sleeve sweatshirt and a t-shirt with a picture of Mickey Mouse hang gliding. He had seven distinctive tattoos, including the phrase, “I love you Kelsey always.” And, yet, no one has come forward to claim or report the man missing since his body was spotted by two fisherman in Prince Edward …

Virginia State Police and Louisa County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a shooting incident that has claimed three lives and left four others injured in Louisa County. The shooting suspect is among the dead. The motive for the initial shootings is domestic in nature and stems from an ongoing dispute among family members over property rights.
At approximately 2 p.m., the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office received a call for a domestic dispute at a residence in the 100 block of Twigg Drive in the Louisa County community of Trevilians. Two deputy sheriffs …

Mohammad Asif Ali, age 47, of Midlothian, Virginia, was sentenced to 12 months in prison today for failing to report $400,829 of income and $107, 489 of tax on his personal tax returns from 2003 to 2007.
Neil MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Rebecca A. Sparkman, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, announced today’s sentencing by United States District Henry Hudson.
Ali owned, operated, and controlled …

Richmond Police is looking for the man responsible for this morning’s robbery at the Willow Lawn Wachovia bank, 4901 W. Broad St.
At 10:36 a.m., a man entered the bank and demanded money from two bank tellers. He did not display a weapon.
The suspect is a black male, age 35 to 40, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a thin build. He was wearing sunglasses, a black baseball cap, a polo shirt with multicolored horizontal stripes and dark pants.
Anyone with information about the suspect in this …

With hundreds of new and returning college students taking to Virginia’s highways this weekend, Virginia State Police will be increasing patrols along Interstate 64 and Interstate 66 to ensure traffic moves safely. The two-day initiative is part of state police’s continuing traffic-safety program called Operation Air, Land and Speed.
“This weekend was specifically selected for an enforcement operation because of the significant increase in traffic associated with students heading off to college in and out of state,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “Hopefully parents will have one …

RICHMOND- Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Trinity Packaging Corporation will make a multi-million dollar investment to expand capacity at its operation in the town of Rocky Mount in Franklin County. The project will create 25 new jobs and save 75 jobs. Virginia successfully competed against North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin for the project.
Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “Trinity Packaging Corporation is thriving in Rocky Mount due to the excellent workforce and solid infrastructure that meet their needs. …

The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) won the ESTO Mercury Award for Niche Marketing for wine tourism promotion. Virginia took home top honors for “Vintage Tweets”