The Waynesboro Police Department has charged a Waynesboro man for a felony assault  stemming from an alcohol fuelled argument between neighbors at a city apartment building located at 208 Port Republic Rd on May 5, 2012.  Kevin Foster Mitchell, 22 years old, was charged with one count of malicious wounding after he got into an argument with 20 year old male neighbor just after 11:00 PM.   Mitchell struck the victim in the head with a tire iron after the two had a verbal confrontation that turned physical in the hallway of the building. 

The victim was taken to Augusta Health ER and then airlifted to UVA medical center with a serious head wound.  His condition is unknown at this time.

Mitchell is being held in Middle River Regional Jail on a $5,000 bond.  He is next scheduled to appear in Waynesboro General District Court on June 8, 2012 for preliminary hearing. 

Malicious wounding is a class 3 felony which has a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than 20 years and a fine of not more than $100,000.

The Waynesboro Police Department has charged four Waynesboro youths in a pair of burglaries that occurred in the fall of 2011.  On October 8, 2011 the four broke into Xtreme Expressions, located at 147 N Wayne Ave, and stole several hundred dollars worth of jewelry, money, tattooing equipment and a computer.  On November 26, 2011 three of the four burglarized the two concessions stands at the Ridgeview Park baseball fields and the concession stand at War Memorial Pool, all located at 700 S Magnolia Ave.  Stolen from the concession stands were several hundred dollars in food, a snow cone machine and a radio.

Of the four individuals, three are juveniles and one is an adult.  The adult, Nathan Crumley, 18 years old of Waynesboro, was charged with two felony counts of breaking & entering and three felony counts of grand larceny.  He was involved in both burglaries.  Of the three juveniles, two are Waynesboro males, a sixteen years old and a seventeen year old.  They were involved in both burglaries and received the same charges as Crumley.  The last person involved was a fifteen year old Waynesboro female.  She was only involved in the Xtreme Expressions burglary and was charged with one felony count of breaking and entering and two felony counts of grand larceny. 

The investigation focused on these individuals after an anonymous tip implicating them was made to Central Shenandoah Crimestoppers earlier this year. 

Crumley was released on a $2000 bond and is next scheduled to appear in Waynesboro General District Court on June 8 for a preliminary hearing.  Presently, the juveniles have not been served their charges.

 The Waynesboro Police Department has concluded it’s investigation into a motor vehicle crash that occurred yesterday at approximately 4:58 P.M. at the Intersection of  Charlotte Ave. and 5^TH St. The crash involved two vehicles, a 2003 Honda Accord which was operated by Brandy Lynn Austin, 37, of Staunton, and a 2009 Kawasaki Motor Cycle that was being operated by Brandon Lamont Carter , 24, of Crimora.

The investigation revealed that the Honda was proceeding north on Charlotte and slowing to turn left onto 5^th St. The Motorcycle, also proceeding north, was traveling on it’s rear wheel as it attemted to pass the Honda on a double solid yellow line, then collided with the vehicle as it began to turn onto 5^th, striking the driver side rear axle area. The collision caused Mr. Carter and the Motorcycle  to be propelled over the Honda resulting in serious injuries to Mr. Carter. He was transferred via air to UVA Medical Center where he remains in critical condition.

Charges are pending 

 This is an update on the Betty Wheeler traffic fatality that occurred April 7, 2012.  The Waynesboro Police Department has charged a third individual, Fredy Ortiz-Temoxtle, 23 years old, for being a passenger of the vehicle and failing to report an accident which resulted in a person being killed or injured. This offense is a Class 6 Felony under VA. Code Section 46.2-895.  Ortiz-Temoxtle is the registered owner of the 2000 Ford  F-150 involved in the accident. 

Ortiz-Temoxtle is not in custody and is believed to have fled Virginia.  His last know address was Harrisonburg.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ortiz-Temoxtle is asked to called the Waynesboro Police Department at (540)942-6675 or Central Shenandoah Crime Stoppers at 1(800) 322-2017.

The Waynesboro Police Department is investigating a two motor vehicle crash that caused a 24 year old Crimora man to be airlifted to UVA Medical Center with life threatening injuries.  The crash occurred on April 25, 2012 at approximately 5:00 pm at the intersection of 5^th St and North Charlotte Ave.  The victim was driving a 2009 Kawasaki motorcycle.  The other vehicle was a 2003 Honda Accord driven by a 38 year old Staunton woman.  The vehicles collided in the intersection. 

The crash is under investigation 

 The Waynesboro Police Department is requesting assistance in identifying the individual in this image.  The individual is a suspect in a felonious assault that occurred on Monday, April 23, 2012 at approximately 1:45 pm at the Waynesboro Wal Mart, 116 Lucy Ln.  According the 53 year old victim, who is a Waynesboro man, he had just parked his vehicle at Wal Mart and was entering the pharmacy side of the store when he was attacked by the suspect.  The victim was stuck in the side of the head by the suspect causing him to lose consciousness.  The suspect than walked away from the victm and left the store.   It is believe that there was some sort of road rage incident between the two men near the store or on the parking lot that precipitated the assault. 

The victim was treated by the Waynesboro First Aid Crew and Fire Department at the scene.  Police were not called so it is unknown if anyone witnessed the assault.  The victim came to the police department about an hour after the incident to report the crime.

The suspect is described as a white male, likely in his 50s, approximately six feet tall.  He drives a large black or dark blue SUV like a Suburban or Tahoe.

The Waynesboro Police Department asks anyone who witnessed the assault or can identify the suspect to call Officer Mark Kearney at the department at (540)942-6675 or Central Shenandoah Crime Stoppers at 1-800-322-2017.

The Waynesboro Police Department has arrested a fugitive who has evaded capture since March 2, 2012 after skipping court on numerous charges.  Keith William Brown, 54 years old of Waynesboro, was arrested without incident today around 2:00 pm in the 400 block of Essex Ave near the former Hopeman Brothers building.  Officers received an anonymous tip on the location of Brown who was found inside the camper part of a tractor cab.  The only effort he made to avoid apprehension was to conceal himself with a blanket.  It is not known who owns the vehicle.  His arrest comes after  nearly five months of criminal activity and dangerous attempts to evade arrest by Brown.

On December 5, 2011, Brown was charged with felony eluding, felony driving as an habitual offender, and misdemeanor hit & run after he crashed into the S Wayne Ave river bridge after fleeing from a police officer attempting to stop him for a routine traffic infraction.  Brown jumped from the bridge into the South River after the crash.  He was taken to Augusta Health for injuries that he sustained from the crash and plunge into the river.  He left the hospital prematurely to avoid arrest.

On January 16, 2012, officers were trying to locate Brown at a residence off North Delphine Ave when he was spotted trying to drive away.  After a short pursuit, the officers arrested Brown after his vehicle became disabled.  He attempted to flee on foot but was caught quickly.  Brown received additional charges for felony eluding and felony driving as an habitual offender.

In addition to the Waynesboro charge for failure to appear, Brown was served with a felony warrant obtained by the Virginia State Police for failing to re-register as a violent sex offender and an capias from Albemarle County Circuit Court for probation violations.

He is being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail.

The Waynesboro Police Department has arrested a Waynesboro woman involved in a weekend purse snatching at a local restaurant.  Jessica Mae Chrisman, 27 year old of Waynesboro, was charged with one felony count of robbery and one misdemeanor count of assault and battery. 

On Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 3:00 pm, police officers responded to Tastee Freez, 325 W Main St., for a report of a strong arm robbery.  When officers arrived, they spoke with the 72 year old victim, who had her purse taken, and the 39 year old witness, who came to her aid by confronting the assailant and recovering the purse.  According to the victim, who is a Crozet resident, she was in the restroom of the restaurant when Chrismas attempted to steal her purse.  The victim was able to grab the purse also which resulted in a “tug of war” between the two women.  Chrisman then pulled the purse from the victim’s hand causing the victim to fall on the bathroom floor.  Chrisman then fled from the restaurant on foot. 

The victim ran from the restaurant requesting help while trying to pursue Chrisman.  The witness, who was in the drive thru lane, aided the victim by pursuing Chrisman in his vehicle.  He was able to catch her across the street from the restaurant near 8^th St and was able to retrieve the purse.  Chrisman struck the witness in the face with the victim’s wallet before he wrestled it from her.  Chrisman then fled again on foot.  Officers were able to locate her in the 500 block of 7^th St where she was arrested. 

The Police Department credits the actions of the Good Samaritan witness who pursued and confronted Chrisman and used an appropriate amount of force to subdue her and recover the stolen property.  Also, callers who spotted Chrisman and called 911 leading to her apprehension are lauded by the Department for their assistance.

Chrisman is being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail.  She has a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 11 in the Waynesboro General District Court.

This silver piece is a part that came off the suspect vehicle that fatally struck Mrs. Betty Wheeler on the evening of 4-7-12 in the northbound lane of Rosser Ave. (Rt. 340) near P. Buckley Moss Museum . Waynesboro Police is asking anyone who knows or sees a vehicle missing a piece that matches the one pictured to contact the Waynesboro Police Department at 540-942-6675 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-332-2017.

Samuel Kevin Bridge and Ashley Nicole Knight are both in custody. Both suspects were taken into custody today at 1528 hours in Buckhannon, West Virginia by U.S. Marshalls, West Virginia State Police, and Upshur County Sheriff’s Office. They were located in a wooded area off of Carper Road in Buckhannon. They are currently being held at Tygart Valley Regional Jail in Bellington, West Virginia. They are awaiting extradition. The Waynesboro Police Department thanks all the jurisdictions and individuals that have assisted with this case. Agencies that have assisted in this case Augusta County Sheriff’s Office, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, Grottoes Police Department, Page County Sheriff’s Office, Luray Police Department, New Market Police Department, Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office, Mt. Jackson Police Department, West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office in West Virginia, and the U.S. Marshal’s Service. It is through team work that this case has been furthered and these wanted individuals apprehended.