Beechwood Circle Structure Fire 9/9/16

Abingdon Police Department

For Immediate Release

On Friday, September 9^th, 2016, at approximately 5:14 AM, Officer A.S. Debusk was dispatched to 510 Beechwood Circle in reference to a structure fire. Upon arrival, Officer Debusk found that most of the home was fully engulfed in flames. After quickly speaking with neighbors, he determined that there was a strong possibility that people were still inside the house. Officer Debusk approached the burning home, and observed a light coming from a side window. He could see a female figure inside, unresponsive. He began banging on the window to gain her attention. Debusk was able to wake the female and alert her that the house was on fire. With Officer DeBusk providing instructions, the female was able to wake up the other three occupants of the residence. Officer Debusk, was joined by Officer E.D. Lucy, and Washington County, VA Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Jason Shephard. The three were able to rescue the four occupants and four dogs through the side window of the home. None of the occupants or officers were injured during the incident. Due to the intensity of the fire, the Abingdon Fire Department was unable to determine the cause of the fire. The case is under investigation by the Abingdon Police Department. 

We wish to thank and acknowledge the Abingdon Fire Department, the Washington County, VA Sheriff's Office, and the Washington County Life Saving Crew for their efforts in mitigating this incident.

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Larceny on 8-13-16

Abingdon Police Department

                                     

For Immediate Release

The Abingdon Police Department needs your assistance in identifying the person in these photos. Evidence indicates that he may be involved in a larceny that occurred at the Coomes Recreation Center, located at 300 Stanley Street, Abingdon on August 13, 2016. The person pictured is using a stolen credit card involved in the incident at the Marathon Station on East Main Street. If you have any information, please call the APD Crime Tip Line at 1-844-200-TIPS (8477). Thank you for your assistance in this case. 

2016 Virginia Highlands Festival Information

Abingdon Police Department

                                               

For Immediate Release

Friday, July 29^th, 2016- Sunday, August 7^th, 2016, is the annual Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon. The festival and events are located on Remsburg Drive, with the Antique Market located at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.

Remsburg Drive will be CLOSED Wednesday, July 27^th, 2016 at 12:00 PM to Monday, August 8^th, 2016 at 5:00 PM from Cummings Street to Wall Street. Please use an alternate route during this time period.

The Abingdon Police Department wants to remind the community and visitors of parking restrictions. Like most tourist communities, Abingdon has several parking restrictions that you should be aware of, to avoid violating any of the parking provisions and subjecting yourself to an unwanted fine. 

To assist you in planning your visit, the following parking restrictions are provided for your information. 

In the Town of Abingdon, it is unlawful to:

• 1.         Park Overtime – OVERTIME parking is enforced Monday-Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm. It is NOT enforced on weekends (Saturday and Sunday). 
• 2.         Block a driveway.
• 3.          Park so the parked vehicle partially blocks a driveway.
• 4.          Block an intersection.
• 5.         Park so the parked vehicle encroaches an intersection.
• 6.         Park in a space designated by signage as a “Bus Stop.”
• 7.         Park so that the left (driver’s) side of a vehicle is against the curbing of the roadway. This is commonly called “Parking Against the Traffic Flow” or “Parking Against the Flow” and is our most common violation.
• 8.         Park in a loading zone.
• 9.         Park in a space designated “No Parking.”
• 10.       Park in any alley.
• 11.       Park on a sidewalk.
• 12.       Park so the vehicle occupies a portion of two marked parking spaces.

There are FREE public parking lots located at 208 West Main Street and 425 West Main Street. There is also ample FREE parking at Heartwood (exit 14) and at Roses (exit 19). A festival shuttle will run from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM to transport you to various events around Abingdon.

The APD warmly welcomes your visit to our community.  Abingdon thrives on tourism, and we hope that your visit will be greeted with smiling faces and a friendly atmosphere.  

Scam alert to renters/property owners

Abingdon Police Department

                                               

For Immediate Release

Scam alert to renters/property owners:

The Abingdon Police Department was advised of a scam circulating in reference to people calling rental properties. The caller will state they want to rent the property and that there is a program through Virginia Highlands Community College that will assist with paying the rent for a year. They will then advise that all they need is the bank account information in order for the rent to be transferred. The APD checked with VHCC about this program and was advised that is DOES NOT exist.

We remind people NEVER to provide any information, such as bank accounts, credit cards, your social security number or birth date, to callers. If you have a phone provider that will allow you to block numbers, please do so to prevent future calls. Please notify your family, friends, and neighbors about this scam so that no one falls victim to these predators.

Fallen Tree Incident on 7-12-16

Abingdon Police Department

         

For Immediate Release

On Tuesday, July 12, 2016, at approximately 5:00 PM, Abingdon officers responded to the 100 block of West Main Street in reference to a fallen tree in the roadway. Upon arrival, officers discovered the tree (located on the Barter Theatre Green) had fallen on an unoccupied vehicle parked along Main Street. The vehicle sustained heavy damage but we are happy to report that no one was injured in this incident. 

Practice Safe “Pokemoning”

Abingdon Police Department

                                               

For Immediate Release

Practice Safe “Pokemoning”

Pokémon Go has been downloaded to nearly 8 million devices in the United States. With this many players, incidents are going to happen. Our goal is to insure that players and non-players are safe.

Attention all Pokémon trainers, we need your help. As you pursue Pikachu, or any other Poké-characters, please use caution.  Sometimes people do not understand that you are playing in augmented reality. Remember in the real world, laws apply.

In Abingdon, some arenas are off limits. When you see Squirtle hiding behind a tombstone in the cemetery after sundown, DO NOT pursue him. It is a trap! He is trying to get you arrested. In the Virginia gym, you are prohibited from entering a cemetery after dark.

Likewise, public parks are OFF limits after sundown! If you see Piplup on the swings, sliding down the sliding board, hiding behind a picnic table or running down the Creeper Trail, do not give chase. Once again, this is a trap devised by the Pokémon characters to get you arrested, and remove you from the game.

In reality, trespassing DOES exist.  You can try to explain to the judge that you were running through Mrs. O'Leary's backyard at three in the morning trying to throw a Pokéball at the Sandshrew, but most likely he will still convict you of trespassing.

Always remember that the laws of physics are still applicable. If you find a Pokéstop in the middle of Main Street, you will not possess enough potions or stardust to repair your broken body when you discover Newton's second law of motion, as you become the temporary hood ornament for a Buick. Make sure that you are alert when crossing streets.

Finally, many people may consider playing via automobile to cover greater territory; DON’T.

As you travel to incubate or evolve, we ask that you be respectful of the private property rights of others. In the Abingdon arena, law and order always wins.

We encourage safe and fair play at all times. However, some trainers may get so engrossed in capturing Shaymin that they forget the rules of society. In short, keep your hands to yourself, do not enter other peoples' property without permission, stay out of cemeteries and public parks after dark, don't touch other peoples' stuff, look both ways before crossing the street, don't play in the road, always use good manners, and remember we are in the south y’all, be kind to one another. Maybe you can team with Pikachu to spread joy and happiness in the real world.

Motor Vehicle Accident on 7-6-16

Abingdon Police Department 

For Immediate Release

On Wednesday, July 6, 2016, Officer J.A. Hagy was dispatched to mile marker 18.1 of northbound Interstate I-81 in reference to a motor vehicle accident. When Officer Hagy arrived on scene, he observed a green 2000 Ford Explorer in the grass alongside of the interstate. A witness told the officer that there were two females in the vehicle when it lost control and left the roadway. When the officer approached the vehicle, he discovered that the occupants were no longer inside, apparently fleeing the scene on foot. The green 2000 Ford Explorer had a valid Tennessee registration of Y4507N, and no items were found inside to identify the occupants.

If you have any information as to the identity of the driver of this vehicle, or you witnessed this crash, please contact the APD Crime Tip Line at 1-844-200-8477 or Washington County, VA Dispatch at 276-676-6277.