Abingdon Police Department- Bank Robbery on 12-31-2018

Abingdon Police Department

For Immediate Release

On Monday, December 31, 2018, at approximately 2:40 p.m., Abingdon Police, along with members of the Washington County, VA Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshal’s Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations, were dispatched to Carter Bank and Trust, located at 238 West Main Street, in reference to a robbery. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the employees who stated that a white male, dressed in dark clothing entered the bank, handed a gray plastic bag to a teller and instructed the teller to fill the bag with money. The suspect claimed that he was armed, but did not produce a firearm. The teller complied, handing over an undetermined amount of traceable United States currency. Before leaving he told the employees to get on the ground and remain there until he left.

The suspect was wearing dark gloves, a dark colored zip up hoodie, dark pants with a light colored stripe on each leg, and dark athletic shoes. Most remarkable is the mask the suspect used. The mask resembles a, “dia de los muerto,” or “day of the dead” mask. It is predominantly white with a single elastic strap that fits around the head. The mask has several bright colored features that may include gold or yellow.  The suspect is between 5’9” and 5’11” and heavy set.  He does not appear to be physically fit, and may be slightly overweight. In addition, he walks with an odd gait, as if he has a previous leg/knee injury.

In addition, the suspect may be driving a dark colored (maroon to dark green) older model Subaru station wagon. This vehicle was parked on Remsburg Drive at the public restroom prior to the robbery, and departed shortly after the bank was robbed.

If you have any information concerning a heavy set male, who owns a day of the dead mask and drives, or has access to, a dark colored Subaru station wagon, or similar vehicle, who suddenly has spending money, please contact the Abingdon Police Department at 276-628-3111 or Washington County, VA Dispatch at 276-676-6277 with any information that you can provide.

You can also e-mail your tips to crimereport@abingdon-va.gov.

There is no further information at this time.

APD Call Log December 17-24, 2018

Abingdon Police Department- Shooting on 12-20-18

Abingdon Police Department

                   

For Immediate Release

On Thursday, 12/20/2018, at 11:21 a.m. hours Abingdon Police responded to the Interstate Service Center, located at 330 Old Eleven Court, Abingdon, VA., in reference to a report of a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, officers found a white male seated in the driver’s seat of a Ford Bronco, who had discharged his handgun in to his left leg. Officer B. T. Graham immediately made the scene safe and began administering first aid, which included the application of a tourniquet.

The Washington County, VA Life Saving Crew responded and transported the patient to the hospital.  Further investigation revealed that the victim arrived at the Service Center to leave his vehicle for a safety inspection.  Upon arrival, the victim began to unload his firearm, prior to exiting his vehicle.  According to witnesses, while in the process of making the weapon safe, the weapon discharged; striking the victim in the leg.

There is no further information at this time.

APD Call Log December 3-10, 2018

2018 APD Employee of the Year

The Abingdon Police Department recognizes outstanding service to our community by our sworn and civilian employees by awarding an Employee of the Year. The employee’s peers select the person whom they feel has contributed the most to the town and to the department during the previous year.

Chief Sullivan presented the 2018 Employee of the Year award to Patrol Officer, Justin Greer. PTL. Greer holds himself to the highest ethical standards at all times and provides a positive and reassuring presence to all he encounters. He was cited by his peers for never complaining, working the most overtime, and always putting his best foot forward. We are truly grateful to have him as part of the APD family and extremely proud to recognize him as our Employee of the Year!

PAVING NOTICE for December 7, 2018

W & L Construction will begin paving operations on Cummings Street (RTE. 75) south of I-81 to the Abingdon Town Limits on Friday December 7^th at 09:00 a.m.  You should expect delays if you are trying to access the Exit 17 area from south of the interstate.  Please DO NOT call 9-1-1 to request police, or emergency services staff, to direct traffic.  The paving companies employ traffic control staff for this purpose.  The police are not experienced with paving operations and will only slow the paving process.  Further, dispatchers are trained to treat EVERY call as an emergency.  Calling 9-1-1 to complain about traffic being stopped, while a flagger is present, is not an emergency.  In addition, the time that the dispatcher wastes with your call could be better served with a person who is in an actual emergency. Virginia code 18.2-461 makes it a class 1 Misdemeanor to make such calls.

The Code of Virginia, in 46.2-834, grants flaggers authority to assume control over traffic flow, and dictates that motorists obey the signals of flaggers.  The code states, “Whenever an authorized flagger assumes control of vehicular traffic into or through a temporary traffic control zone using hand-signaling devices or an automated flagger assistance device, all drivers of vehicles shall obey his signals.”

Please be prepared to stop and obey all signals from designated flaggers if you choose to enter Abingdon via Rte. 75 during paving operations.  Life is short, don’t let sitting in traffic stress you out.

 

APD Call Log November 26-December 3, 2018