The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office dealt with a spate of crimes over the past week, including several reported thefts.
On July 23, MCSO deputies Keon Richardson and Cameron Hatcher investigated a failed breaking and entering attempt at a building in the 11000 block of U.S. 58 near Clarksville. During their investigation, deputies located a broken window on the side of the building but no evidence that anyone gained entrance. The deputies concluded that the bars over the windows blocked the culprits from gaining access inside the building.
Corporal Joey Carey met with a man who alleged that two black males jumped in front of his vehicle as he was driving on the I-85 northbound exit ramp in Bracey, forcing him out of his car. The unnamed victim told Carey that one of the assailants appeared to be brandishing a knife and the other was armed with a firearm or a pole.
After forcing the victim from the car, a 2021 Toyota Camry with Maryland license plates, the assailants sped away. The victim told deputies he had personal belongings in the car at the time of the theft. These were taken along with the car.
Carey asked Deputy Adrian Guerrero to assist him during the interview since the victim was more fluent in Spanish.
The incident happened on the night of July 16 but was not reported until July 23. An MCSO spokesperson said the victim offered no explanation for not reporting the crime for more than a week.
On Thursday, July 25 Guerrero investigated a separate theft incident. This one involved food stolen from a church in the 3100 block of Marengo Road in La Crosse. According to an unnamed man associated with the church who was interviewed by Guerrero, neighbors of the church noticed a black male walking around the building and contacted him. After receiving the call, Guerrero reported that the man discovered damage to doors and windows at the church as well as missing food items. He then contacted the sheriff’s office.
During his investigation, Guerrero discovered evidence of someone possibly sleeping under the church. He is actively investigating this matter and attempting to locate the suspect.
Guerrero did not identify the person he spoke with who was affiliated with the church of the suspect.
A local angler reported having his gas tank on his truck “drilled” while the truck was parked at Rudd’s Creek day use boat ramp near Boydton. Deputy Jessie Jewell, who took the report, found no other incidences of vehicles being vandalized at that time, July 29. No suspect has been tied to this complaint.
Another angler reported the theft of six bait caster fishing rods and reels — identified as Lews, Abu Garcia, and Bass Pro Shops — and a Garmin Helix 5 fish finder from his jon boat while it was parked in his yard in the 1100 block of Trottinridge Road near Clarksville.
The unnamed victim reported the theft on Aug. 2. Deputy Nathan Towery interviewed the victim but did not specify when the man last saw the equipment.
The case remains under investigation.
A vandalism incident investigated by Deputy Jessie Jewell on Aug. 4 also remains under investigation. An unnamed victim reported that the back glass of his 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carol was damaged while he was attending church in the 500 block of Jerusalem Road in Boydton.
Jewell said this appears to have been an isolated incident as no other vehicles in the area suffered damage at the time.
If you have any information in any of these cases and you wish to remain anonymous, you can call the Mecklenburg Crime Solvers Hot Line at 1-877-676-8477 or the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency phone number at 434-738-6171. You could receive up to a $1,000 reward.
Two men were arrested in separate domestic-related events.
Sgt. Bruce King and Deputy Nathan Towery arrested 31-year-old Brian Ryder on July 25 after receiving a call about a domestic dispute occurring in the 2400 block of Philbeck Crossroads in Skipwith. Ryder was charged with domestic violence and held on an unsecured bond of $2,500 until he was deemed to be sober.
An altercation between a couple residing at a home in the 800 block of Love Town Road in Buffalo Junction ended when 20-year-old Jacob Harris was arrested for being drunk in public. The woman, who was involved in the altercation with Harris, was the one to contact the sheriff’s office.
Harris was not charged with domestic violence but was detained at Meherrin River Regional Jail until he was deemed to be sober.
Deputies also arrested a Baskerville man for driving under the influence and assisted in locating a missing or runaway juvenile.
On July 23 Deputy James Short was running radar on U.S. 58 near Dockery Road around midnight when a car driven by 28 year-old Luenell Hayes of Baskerville entered the radar beam. At the time Hayes was traveling 85 mph in a 55 mph zone.
Short pulled over the vehicle and while interviewing Hayes, he reported smelling the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Hayes. A field sobriety test was administered, which Hayes failed.
Hayes was charged with driving under the influence, refusing a breathalyzer, speeding, no seatbelt, no operator’s license, and failure to dim headlights. He is being held with no bond at Meherrin River Regional Jail.
On July 31 Deputy N’finitee Hicks, Deputy Don Blanton and his K-9 Reba participated in a search for a missing or runaway juvenile. The girl was located in Charlotte County and returned to her mother’s home in the 1100 block of Cemetery Road in Chase City. No explanation was offered as to where the girl was heading or why she left the home.