Abingdon Police Department- Breaking and Entering Arrest

Abingdon Police Department

                                               

For Immediate Release

On Monday, February 25, 2019, at approximately 7:39AM, Officer Y. D. Wilmoth responded to a breaking and entering in progress in the 700 block of Hillman Highway. Washington County, Virginia Dispatch provided Officer Wilmoth with a description of a white male wearing a tan jacket with a hood, rolling a cart from the scene. As Officer Wilmoth arrived, the complainant directed the officer to the suspect walking down Hillman Highway away from the scene. Upon seeing the officer, the suspect ran behind a greenhouse on the property. The complainant gave chase and subdued the suspect. Officer Wilmoth identified the suspect as Augustus R. Johnson, 26, of 835 Baugh Lane Apartment 1, Abingdon. A subsequent searched of Johnson yielded a screw driver, chisel, keys, several drivers licenses (not belonging to him), and a flashlight.

Upon further investigation, Officer Wilmoth learned that the manager of Faith In Action arrived at work and noticed the door on a shed, located on the property, was ajar. He observed Johnson leaving the shed with several tool boxes and called 9-1-1.

Johnson was arrested and transported to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail and charged with the following:

·       Statutory Burglary, in violation of § 18.2-91 of the Code of Virginia;

·       Possession of Burglary Tools, in violation of § 18.2-94 of the Code of Virginia;

·       Destruction of Property, in violation of § 18.2-137 of the Code of Virginia;

·       Petit Larceny: 2^nd Offense, in violation of § 18.2-96 of the Code of Virginia.

Johnson is being held without bond. 

                                               

Abingdon Police Department- Suspicious Vehicle Arrests

Abingdon Police Department

                                               

For Immediate Release

On Monday, February 25, 2019, at approximately 5:46AM, Officer B.T. Graham was dispatched to the 400 block of Deadmore Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle. When Officer Graham arrived on scene, he observed a white Subaru with four occupants parked on the lot. Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Graham observed one of the passengers remove a syringe from their arm and the other occupants attempting to hide things inside the car.

As other Abingdon Police officers arrived on scene, Officer Graham removed each occupant from the vehicle. Dakota M. Reynolds, 22, of 134 Wiley Street, Abingdon, was searched and a small container of marijuana was found on his person. Driver, Miles C. Ratliff, 22, of 866 East Main Street, Abingdon, was searched and detained. Other officers searched and identified the passengers as Felicia J. Potter, 18, of 4756 Meat Camp Road, Todd, N.C. and Carly D. Alexander, 23, of 400 Sandbar Road, Bristol, TN.

Officers searched the vehicle finding a small plastic baggie containing a white crystal substance (which a preliminary field test determined to be consistent with methamphetamine), several syringes, and a smoking device (which tested positive for methamphetamine).

All four (4) occupants were arrested and transported to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail and charged with the following:

*Myles C. Ratliff charged with Intoxicated In Public, in violation of § 18.2-388 of the Code of Virginia. He was held in jail until sober.

*Carly D. Alexander charged with Possession of Controlled Substance Schedule I and II, in violation of § 18.2-250 of the Code of Virginia. She was held $2000 secured bond.

*Felicia J. Potter charged with Possession of Controlled Substance Schedule I and II, in violation of § 18.2-250 of the Code of Virginia. She was held without bond.

*Dakota M. Reynolds charged with Possession of Controlled Substance Schedule I and II, in violation of § 18.2-250 of the Code of Virginia; and Possession of Marijuana, in violation of § 18.2-250.1 of the Code of Virginia. He was held on an unsecured bond.

APD Call Log February 11-18, 2019

Traffic Advisory 2-22-19

Abingdon Police Department

                                               

For Immediate Release

Traffic Advisory:

Due to the forecast of heavy rain this weekend, and considering the rainfall to date, we ask motorists to avoid using East Main Street between Tanner Street and Deadmore Street.  The accumulated rainfall has caused the Town Creek to spill over its banks and flood the roadway.  A detour around this area is possible by using Tanner, Valley, and Hutton Streets.  However, this detour is not wide enough to accommodate large towed vehicles or tractor-trailers. 

The town has “High Water” signs in place to alert motorists to avoid crossing this area while the creek is out of its banks.  

A map of the suggested detour is attached.

Plumb Alley Construction Notice:

"No good deed goes unnoticed"

On February 10, 2019, at 9:51pm, Abingdon Police were dispatched in reference to a wrong way driver traveling south in the northbound lanes of Porterfield Highway (Rt. 19).  The complainant, Ms. Jessica Surber, was traveling south in the southbound lanes, when she observed a vehicle traveling the wrong direction and immediately contacted dispatch.  Ms. Surber stayed parallel with the other vehicle, driving in the correct lane, flashing her headlights and sounding her horn in attempt to alert the driver and oncoming motorists of the hazard. Due in part to her quick thinking and actions, Ms. Surber was able to get the vehicle to stop at the intersection of Porterfield Highway and Russell Road. Once the police arrived, they discovered that the elderly driver of the vehicle became confused while driving and turned on to the wrong side of the divided highway.  Ms. Surber remained on scene and offered additional assistance to the elderly driver, including offering to drive her home.

This incident highlights an issue that becomes more prevalent as our motoring population ages. It also is an excellent demonstration of what to do if you should observe a vehicle traveling the wrong way on a divided highway.  Clearly, Ms. Surber’s actions in alerting other motorist prevented a bad situation from getting much worse.  We greatly appreciate the quick thinking of Ms. Surber and thank her for doing this good deed!

APD Call Log February 4-11, 2019

APD Call Log January 28-February 4, 2019