The Waynesboro Police Department held its fourth Quarter awards presentation Today, February 2, 2012 in the department’s squad room. Chief Michael D. Wilhelm presented 6 awards including naming of the 2011 Officer of the Year.

Three of the awards represent a long standing policy of recognizing officers each year who make significant contributions to the department’s traffic safety initiatives through Speed, Seatbelt and DUI enforcement. 

 Officer Amanda Hesson was presented the Departmental Commendation for her exceptional efforts in Speed Enforcement in 2011.

Officer Andrew DeShong was presented the Departmental Commendation for exceptional efforts in Seatbelt Enforcement in 2011.

Officer Robert Dean was presented the Departmental Commendation for his exceptional efforts in DUI Enforcement in 2011.

Additional Commendations Include.

Desk Clerk’s Betsy Early and Kathy Grohs were each presented Departmental Commendations for exceptional performance in acquiring General and Specialty Instructor Certifications in a critical training area.

Officer of the Year 

Sgt. David F Shaw was named 2011 Officer of the year for his outstanding leadership and commitment to the Department throughout the year. Most notably Sgt. Shaw completely revamped the department’s Field Training Program for new officers and also assisted the Reserve unit with revamping their training. In addition, he consistently performed his duties as a Detective Supervisor and later Patrol Shift Commander in an exemplary fashion.

Distinguished Service Medal

Animal Control Officer Darlene Price was presented the Department’s Distinguished Service Medal for exceptional performance and dedication during her continued  tenure as Animal control Officer by City Manager Michael G Hamp II. Specifically, she was recognized for her untiring efforts and critical expertise during the transition from the SPCA to the Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center. Additionally her dedication to the profession of Animal Control has been recognized by her peers in the field even beyond Waynesboro. Last summer she was honored by the Virginia Animal Control Association who presented her with their Public Service Award. She was also appointed to a leadership position on that organization’s Board of Directors.  

 The Waynesboro Police Department is investigating a motor vehicle crash that occurred in the 1200 block of East Main Street yesterday (1/30/12) at approximately 4:50 P.M.

Upon arrival officers found a head on collision that occurred in the west bound lane just east of Hunter Street. Investigation revealed that a 1997 Mercury Van being driven by a 59 year old Fishersville female was traveling east on E. Main before it  crossed into west bound lane for some distance before striking a 2011 Honda Pickup being operated by a 55 year old Norfolk man who was traveling west.

Both drivers were the single occupants of their respective vehicles and both were transported to Augusta Health via Rescue Squad, with the female driver of the Mercury subsequently flown to UVA with life threatening injuries.

Investigation Continues.

An early Sunday morning stop by a Waynesboro police officer has netted 3 arrests and the recovery of stolen property from recent residential burglaries and thefts from vehicles.

The officer observed 4 juveniles at approximately 2:00 A.M. on N. Poplar near Ohio St. and decided to investigate in light of the late hour and possible City Curfew violations. Upon further investigation two stolen GPS units were recovered from the back pack of one of the suspects and a Glock 9 mm pistol was found during the search of another youth. All 4 juveniles were taken into custody and after further investigation and questioning 3 were charged with crimes relating to a Burglary that occurred the night of January 26^th -27^th in the 200 block of Isle Ave. In that case a Glock 9 mm pistol was taken as well as a Wii, IPOD, 3 Martial Arts weapons and some change. Most of the stolen property including the pistol found on the juvenile has now been recovered.

Charges currently placed are as follows:

1.    17 year old Waynesboro Male – B&E, Grand Larceny, Felony Theft of a Firearm.

2.    14 year old Waynesboro Male – B&E, Grand Larceny, Felony Theft of a Firearm

3.    16 year old Waynesboro Male – B&E, Grand Larceny.

Additional charges are pending against all four for multiple Burglaries, thefts and vandalisms dating back to early November 2011 that could potentially clear 40 to 50 outstanding cases.

Additionally, these juveniles are connected with three juveniles taken into custody pursuant to the  pursuit of a stolen vehicle by Augusta County and Waynesboro Officers on January 19^th, 2012.

All of the involved juveniles have self identified as members of a local “homegrown” gang.

The Waynesboro Police Department was called to Wal-Mart tonight at approximately 8:37 P.m. for a male shoplifter who had dropped a stolen humidifier and run from the store after being confronted. Employees reported seeing the subject running towards Goodwill and then he was spotted running in the vicinity of Batteries Plus at which time the first officer arrived on the scene and began attempting to locate him in this area. After negative results the officer went to the parking lot of Ruby Tuesday’s and as he pulled into the lot the subject exited the restaurant and ran towards Rosser Ave. The officer began a foot pursuit and as the suspect crossed Rosser Ave. he was struck by a 1997 Saab traveling north in the far northbound lane sustaining what appears to be life threatening injuries. The 26 year old Staunton man was transported by rescue squad to Augusta Health Emergency Department and has subsequently been transferred to the University of Virginia Hospital via Helicopter.

No charges are expected for the 52 year old Waynesboro man who was operating the SAAB and he reported no injuries.

This case remains under investigation.

 The Waynesboro Police Department would like to alert citizens, especially the elderly, to be cautious when approached at their homes by person(s) purporting to be in need of money to purchase fuel or food etc.

Two instances of young adult males knocking on doors of city residents late at night asking for money for gas have been reported to police recently and in both cases the elderly homeowner gave the subject a small amount of cash. These incidents appear to be linked due the fact that both home owners had recently had tree work done and the subject requesting the assistance claimed to have performed tree work for the resident in the past. Although neither citizen recognized the person or could provide descriptive information it is possible that the subject may have been employed in tree work and was soliciting former customers.

Residents are urged to be cautious in these situations because many times these types of solicitations are, in fact, scams with the money acquired not being used for the stated purpose or anything related to it. Additionally it could put the home owner at risk of future victimization through burglary, home invasion or some other deception.     

 The Waynesboro Police Department is warning all local retail and food service businesses about a money changing scam that has been occurring recently in which business are swindled out of cash.  Presently, two Waynesboro businesses have been victims of this crime.  The first incident took place at a fast food restaurant on December 19 in which $150 was taken.  The most recent reported incident took place on January 19, 2012 at a business near Wal Mart.

In the both incidents, the suspect approaches a cashier at the business with the premise of making a nominal purchase, usually fewer than five dollars.  The suspect attempts to pay for merchandise with a large bill.  When the cashier is counting out the change, the suspect will ask for the change in different bill denominations.  He will change his request several times in an attempt to confuse the cashier who invariably gives the suspect more change that he is due.  In the January incident, the suspect was able to get $73 more from the cashier.  The police department believes that the suspect is working with an accomplice who approaches the cashier after the fraudulent transaction with the purpose of distracting him or her from immediately realizing the scam.

The primary suspect is described as a black male, thirty to forty years old, 5’10” to 6’2”, 160 to 200 pounds. 

Anyone with information is request to call the Waynesboro Police Department at 942-6675 or Central Shenandoah Valley Crime Stoppers at 800.322.2017.  Callers that give information that lead to an arrest can receive a cash reward of up to $1000.  Callers to Crime Stoppers may give their information anonymously.

 Officers & detectives from the Waynesboro Police Department assisted deputies from the Augusta County Sheriff’s Department this morning, January 19, 2012 at 10:00 am on a pursuit of a stolen vehicle in which three area juveniles were taken in to custody.  The pursuit ended five minutes later when an Augusta County Sheriff’s deputy using a tactical driving maneuver disabled the car in the entrance to North Park.

The vehicle, a 2004 Hyundai Accent, was reported stolen in Augusta County on Cattle Scales Rd around 6:30 am.  Deputies located the vehicle in Augusta County and pursued it into the city on Ivy St.  Waynesboro Police joined the pursuit near Hopeman Parkway as it continued through the city.  The pursuit went through the Wayne Hills neighborhood, Willow Oak Shopping Center, and up Port Republic Rd but speeds didn’t exceed 50 mph.  After the vehicle was stopped, two suspects were immediately taken into custody and third ran across the park and jumped into the South River.   He was taken into custody when he emerged on the other side near Augusta Lumber.

All three juveniles are now in the custody of the Augusta County Sheriff’s Department.  Questions regarding charges should be directed to the Sheriff’s Office.

Since January 15, the Police Department has taken four reports for stolen vehicles in the city.  In each case, the keys were left in the vehicle and the doors left unlocked.  The Police Department vehemently encourages owners to secure their vehicles and not leave keys behind.  As of this release, three of the vehicles have been recovered.  One had significant damage to it. 

Both departments are working together to see how many of the thefts are related and involve the three juvenile suspects.

The Waynesboro Police Department has arrested the individual who attempted to flee from police officers by jumping into the South River after crashing his car on S Wayne Ave bridge on December 5, 2011.  Keith William Brown, 54 years old, of Waynesboro was arrested on January 16, 2012 at approximately 11:00 am after a police officer spotted him driving an Isuzu Rodeo in the 800 block of Sumac Ave.  The officer, who had assisted in the December 5 incident, recognized Brown as being wanted on pending charges and as being an habitual offender.  He attempted to make a traffic stop at which point Brown attempted to flee again.  After a mile and a half pursuit that ended on Maryland Ave, Brown got his vehicle stuck on an incline.  He then attempted to flee on foot.  Due to the fact that he had to use a walker for his mobility and that the pursuing officer was so close, he was quickly taken into custody. 

Since the December 5^th incident which sent him to UVA Medical Center for injuries from his jump into the river, Brown had been wanted by Waynesboro for three felonies, eluding a law enforcement officer; hit & run; driving after being declared an habitual offender.   Since Brown’s injuries was serious enough to require his hospitalization for several weeks, the police department made the decision not to have the warrants served on Brown, which would have require round the clock guard by law enforcement.  The police department requested a hold be put on him with UVA Police Dept.  On December 15, Brown was transferred to Augusta Health.   The police department lost track of Brown when he was discharged from Augusta Health in late December.  Officers had followed up on several leads regarding Brown’s whereabouts to no avail.

 The Waynesboro Police Department is seeking information in the weekend burglary of the K Mart store located at 2712 W Main St.  On January 15, 2012 at approximately 4:00 am, police officers responded to an alarm at the business.  When officers arrived, they discovered that a plate glass door at the Garden Center side of the business had been shattered.  Officers searched the inside of the store but didn’t find anyone inside.  A check of the store’s security system showed a single intruder entered the store through the broken door and fled immediately after the alarm sounded.  It didn’t appear the intruder had time to steal any merchandise.  Officers arrived at the store three minutes after being dispatched.

If anyone has information regarding this crime, they are asked to call Central Shenandoah Valley Crime Stoppers at 800.322.2017.  Callers that give information that lead to an arrest can receive a cash reward of up to $1000.  Callers may give their information anonymously.

The Waynesboro Police Department arrested Jacob Lynn Patterson, 41 years old, of Staunton on three traffic charges stemming from a short pursuit on January 16, 2012 around 11:45 pm.   Officers observed a Mercury sedan traveling erratically on S Delphine Ave near Interstate 64.  When the officer tried to stop the vehicle, it didn’t stop and continued south heading out of the city.  The vehicle finally stopped a half mile outside the city on Mt Torrey Rd. 

Patterson had obvious signs of impairment and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.  He was also charged with driving on suspended license and a felony charge of eluding. 

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