APD Pursuit on 4-20-16

Abingdon Police Department

For Immediate Release

On Wednesday, April 20^th, 2016, at approximately 2:15PM, Abingdon Police Officer Y.D. Wilmoth observed a burgundy Ford F-250 speeding in the construction zone on Jonesboro Road. As Officer Wilmoth tried to initiate a traffic stop on the speeding vehicle, the vehicle fled from the Exit 14 area, northbound on I-81. The vehicle then left the interstate at Exit 19 and proceeded west into the town on Main Street. The offender continued through the town limits at a high rate of speed, making a right turn on Old Eleven Drive, and then a right on Hillman Highway heading north. Throughout the pursuit, Officer Wilmoth continually updated the shift Sergeant of speed and traffic conditions. The Sergeant advised the officer to terminate the pursuit due to time of day, traffic conditions, and speed.

Investigator J.M. Austin located the offender, Joshua Ryan Johnson, 32, of 14202 Middle Pointe Court, Bristol, Virginia and took him into custody at his residence at approximately 3:30 PM. He was charged with: Felony Eluding by Speed, in violation of § 46.2-817 of the Code of Virginia; Driving on Suspended License, in violation of § 46.2-301 of the Code of Virginia; Reckless Driving, in violation of § 46.2-862 of the Code of Virginia; Defective Equipment, in violation of § 46.2-1003 of the Code of Virginia; and Speeding, in violation of § 46.2-870 of the Code of Virginia. 

Johnson was transported to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail, where he is being held at this time.

Pictured: Joshua Ryan Johnson, 32, of 14202 Middle Pointe Court, Bristol, Virginia

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Outstanding Capias Arrest 4-9-16

Abingdon Police Department

For Immediate Release

On Saturday, April 9^th, 2016, Investigator J.M. Austin of the Abingdon Police Department located a vehicle being used by a fugitive from Russell County, Virginia in the 800 block of Edgemont North Street.  Investigator Austin parked a short distance from the vehicle and maintained surveillance of the area.  At approximately 12:30 PM, Austin observed a white male, who matched the description of the fugitive, exit a residence in the 800 block of Edgemont North Street. Investigator Austin contacted Officer J.T. Holbrook, who was operating an unmarked police car, and requested assistance from the officers on patrol. As officers positioned themselves in the neighborhood, Joshua Derek Brown, 34, of 257 Hidden Valley Road, Abingdon, Virginia, exited an apartment and walked to the apartment's mailbox.  At this point, Officer Holbrook and Investigator Austin approached the apartment and took Brown into custody without incident. 

Brown has evaded police since Sunday, March 27^th, 2016, when he was approached by an officer responding to a drinking in public call in the 300 block of Stanley Street. When the contact officer ran a wanted check on Mr. Brown, he fled on foot in an attempt to avoid capture on an outstanding capias from Russell County, Virginia.

Investigator Austin began monitoring Mr. Brown’s social media accounts and noticed that he was actively posting pictures from the Abingdon area, and making references to his extraordinary ability to evade capture. In one of the posts, Investigator Austin noticed a photograph of Mr. Brown seated in a vehicle with unique stripes on the hood. This is the vehicle that Investigator Austin found, leading to Brown’s capture.

Brown was transported to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail and served with an outstanding capias from Russell County, Virginia, and a warrant for Obstruction of Justice from the March 27^th, 2016 incident.  Brown was remanded to the jail under a secure bond.

Pictured: Joshua Derek Brown, 34, of 257 Hidden Valley Road, Abingdon, Virginia. 

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