FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Traffic Stop Arrest on 2-23-18

Abingdon Police Department

                                               

For Immediate Release

On Friday, February 23, 2018, at approximately 11:32 AM, an officer with the Abingdon Police Department observed a red Chevrolet Corsica traveling eastbound on East Main Street with a brake light out. The officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle in the 100 block of Deadmore Street. The officer was notified by Washington County, VA Dispatch that the vehicle was entered as stolen from Sullivan County, TN. Upon making contact with the offender, he provided the officer with a fictitious name. The officer asked the violator to turn off the engine and step out of the vehicle, and at that time, the driver put the vehicle in gear, accelerating rapidly northbound on Deadmore Street. At the intersection of Deadmore Street and Town Creek, the suspect struck another motorist, causing minor damage to the second vehicle. The suspect then turned east on Valley Street, in an attempt to flee the scene; traveling approximately two blocks before crashing in a sharp curve.

The driver fled on foot, leaving two female occupants in the vehicle. The suspect was followed at a distance by several citizens, who alerted officers to his location. The suspect was captured in the rear parking lot of Farris Funeral Home on Main Street. He was identified as:

Ronnie Dwayne Massie, 44,

393 Marshall Lane

Castlewood, VA.

Massie is charged with Using False Information to Avoid Summons, Arrest, or Prosecution, in violation of § 18.2-186.3 of the Code of Virginia; Disregarding Signal by Law Enforcement, in violation of § 46.2-817 of the Code of Virginia; and Failure to Stop After Being Involved in a Crash involving property damage or injury, in violation of § 46.2-894 of the Code of Virginia. He was transport to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail, where he was served an outstanding capias from Russell County, VA for a probation violation. Massie is being held without bond.

Charges are pending in Sullivan County, TN for the larceny of the vehicle.

We appreciate the assistance and cooperative efforts of Washington County, VA Central Dispatch, the Washington County, VA Sheriff's Office, and the Sullivan County, TN Sheriff's Office in the apprehension of Massie.