April 2025 Briefing
- Woody Watts
- 7 days ago
- 7 min read
Total Calls for Service: 917
Possible Narcotics
1500+ Longwood Ave
April 2nd, 2025 – 4:00 PM
Officers conducted a traffic stop on Longwood Avenue. During the stop, suspected narcotics were
discovered. The Patrol Division is investigating. (Incident #PD25-00318)
DUI Arrest
900+ Blue Ridge Ave
April 4th, 2025 – 12:50 AM
Officers were in the area of Blue Ridge Avenue when they observed a vehicle traveling above the posted
speed limit. Bryan Walker, 58, of Roanoke, was later transported to the Blue Ridge Regional Jail, where
warrants were obtained for DUI, possession of a Schedule II substance, and speeding. (Incident #PD25-
00324)
DUI Arrest
862 Burks Hill Rd
April 7th, 2025 – 12:25 PM
Officers responded to the area of Walmart for a BOL. The caller reported observing a subject occupying
three parking spots, exiting the vehicle, retrieving a beer from a cooler in the back of the truck, and then
driving away. Officers located the vehicle and, after observing traffic violations, initiated a traffic stop.
John Raffloer, 58, of Moneta, was transported to the magistrate’s office, where a warrant for DUI was
obtained. (Incident #PD25-00338)
Warrant Service
1820 E Lynchburg Salem Tpke
April 8th, 2025 – 12:02 AM
Officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of 1820 East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike. After identifying the
driver and passenger, it was determined the passenger had an active warrant out of Danville for a
probation violation. Ezekiel Cox, 59, of Danville, was transported to the Blue Ridge Regional Jail, where
he was held without bond. (Incident #PD25-00340)
Fraud
600+ Railroad Ave
April 8th, 2025 – 8:47 AM
Officers spoke with an individual by phone regarding a fraud. The individual, who is retired and receives
benefits, reported being contacted by someone claiming to be from the Social Security Administration,
advising that their benefits were at risk of suspension due to reported income. The individual realized
their identity may have been compromised. Officers advised them to continue the fraud claim with the
Social Security Administration. (Incident #PD25-00341)
Larceny
1128 E Lynchburg Salem Tpke
April 8th, 2025 – 11:05 AM
Officers responded to the Tractor Supply parking lot for a 911 hang-up. They located a vehicle occupied
by individuals who appeared to be yelling. After a brief investigation, Ian Ballard, 35, of Lynchburg, was
arrested for larceny of a credit card. He was transported to the magistrate, where he was held without
bond. (Incident #PD25-00342)
Public Intoxication
1128 E Lynchburg Salem Tpke
April 10th, 2025 – 8:45 PM
Officers were picking up an order from Original Italian Pizza at 1128 East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
when they were advised of an intoxicated subject inside the restaurant. Officers made contact with the
individual and detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. Christopher Monday, 22, of Bedford,
was placed under arrest for public intoxication. (Incident #PD25-00355)
Larceny
1126 E Lynchburg Salem Tpke
April 11th, 2025 – 5:41 PM
Officers responded to Walmart regarding a larceny suspect being detained by store staff. The suspect
was identified as Jessica Morse, 32, of Farmville. Morse was transported to the Blue Ridge Regional Jail,
where charges were obtained for larceny, concealing merchandise, possession of stolen property,
obtaining money by false pretense, and attempting to obtain money by false pretense. She was held on
a secured bond. (Incident #PD25-00360)
Driving Suspended
1110 E Main St
April 12th, 2025 – 2:34 PM
Officers observed a vehicle whose tag returned to a driver with a license status of DUI-revoked. A traffic
stop was initiated. The driver, identified as Steven Byer, 32, of Salem, was transported to the jail where
officers obtained and served warrants for driving while DUI-revoked, driving with a BAC above 0.02
while DUI-revoked, and driving without an interlock device installed. Officers also issued a summons for
an open container. (Incident #PD25-00361)
Fraud
215 East Main St
April 14th, 2025 – 7:40 PM
Officers spoke with a subject at the police department regarding a fraud. The subject stated they had
mailed a check, but were later informed it had not been received by the intended recipient. It was
determined the check had been altered to reflect a different name and amount. The Patrol Division is
investigating. (Incident #PD25-00376)
Fraud
1126 E Lynchburg Salem Tpke
April 15th, 2025 – 3:56 PM
Officers responded to the Walmart pharmacy for a report of fraud. The pharmacy manager advised they
had received a fraudulent prescription via fax. The prescription was not filled after the prescriber
confirmed the information was false. (Incident #PD25-00383)
Trespassing
1000+ Dillons Way
April 16th, 2025 – 9:00 PM
Officers responded to Dillons Way for a disturbance. Following a brief investigation, Christopher
Monday, 22, of Bedford, was arrested for public intoxication and trespassing. (Incident #PD25-00387)
Warrant Service
800+ Blue Ridge Ave
April 17th, 2025 – 6:52 AM
Officers responded to the Happy Food Mart at 817 Burks Hill Road for a disturbance involving a male
subject. While en route, officers confirmed through dispatch that the individual was wanted on an active
capias. Upon arrival, they were advised the subject had left the area. Officers located his vehicle and
conducted a traffic stop in the 800 block of Blue Ridge Avenue. Brian Vandyke, 51, of Bedford, was
transported to jail and served the capias. He was held on a secured bond. (Incident #PD25-00388)
Possible Narcotics
1189 E Lynchburg Salem Tpke
April 17th, 2025 – 8:00 AM
Officers were in the area of Walmart when they observed a vehicle with a 2024 registration decal. A
traffic stop was initiated. During the stop, suspected narcotics were located. The Patrol Division is
investigating. (Incident #PD25-00389)
Larceny - Shoplifting
1820 E Lynchburg Salem Tpke
April 18th, 2025 – 8:26 AM
Officers responded to Lowe’s for a report of a shoplifter. A citizen reported seeing a male subject
conceal items in his jacket and leave the store. The citizen provided a vehicle description. Officers made
contact with the subject, who later admitted to the theft. Ion Finaru, 51, of Huddleston, was issued a
summons for petit larceny. (Incident #PD25-00393)
Public Intoxication
691 Pinecrest Ave
April 20th, 2025 – 12:00 AM
Officers responded to Pinecrest Apartments regarding a barred subject on the premises. Earl
Overstreet, 62, of Bedford, was arrested for public intoxication. He was transported to the magistrate’s
office and held until sober. (Incident #PD25-00401)
Public Intoxication
921 Blue Ridge Ave
April 21st, 2025 – 9:15 PM
Officers responded to the Days Inn for a disturbance involving two male subjects yelling at each other.
Gary Williams, 35, of Bedford, was arrested for public intoxication. He was taken before the magistrate
and held until sober. (Incident #PD25-00408)
Public Intoxication
Plunkett St / Court St
April 22nd, 2025 – 8:31 PM
While patrolling the area of Plunkett and Court Streets, officers observed a male subject falling onto the
roadway. They made contact to determine if medical assistance was needed. The subject, identified as
Steven Byer III, 33, of Bedford, was arrested for public intoxication. (Incident #PD25-00406)
Public Intoxication
217 Washington St
April 25th, 2025 – 10:23 AM
Officers responded to the Farmers Market on West Washington Street for a report of a male subject
rolling on the ground. Officers identified the individual as Jonathan Brunk, 46, of Bedford, from previous
encounters. An open container of alcohol was also found nearby. Brunk was arrested for public
intoxication and taken before the magistrate to be held until sober. (Incident #PD25-00414)
Possible Narcotics
1110 E Main St
April 25th, 2025 – 1:06 PM
Officers observed a vehicle displaying suspicious driving behavior. The tag was run through dispatch and
returned to a subject with a suspended license. A traffic stop was conducted, during which suspected
narcotics were located. The Patrol Division is investigating. (Incident #PD25-00416)
Larceny / Assault
1126 E Lynchburg Salem Tpke
April 25th, 2025 – 3:58 PM
Officers responded to Walmart for a shoplifting incident involving an assault. A loss prevention
employee reported that multiple Ninja machines had been stolen. When a Walmart employee
attempted to obtain the suspect’s vehicle tag, the suspect pepper sprayed them. The Detective Bureau
is investigating. (Incident #PD25-00419)
Possible Narcotics
862 Burks Hill Rd
April 25th, 2025 – 10:45 PM
Officers were patrolling the 800 block of Burks Hill Road when they observed a vehicle without tag
lights. Dispatch reported the tag as belonging to a sold vehicle. A traffic stop was conducted, and
suspected narcotics were found. The Patrol Division is investigating. (Incident #PD25-00422)
DUI Arrest / Narcotics Violation
460 / 43
April 26th, 2025 – 11:38 AM
Officers observed a motorcycle traveling approximately 90 MPH in a 60 MPH zone. A traffic stop was
conducted. Following an investigation, Derick Hendricks, 47, of Goode, was arrested for DUI and
possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance. He was granted a secured bond. (Incident #PD25-
00424)
Threats / Public Intoxication
895 Blue Ridge Ave
April 28th, 2025 – 6:18 PM
Officers responded to Hardee’s for a disturbance. The caller reported a male subject had threatened him
until a manager intervened. The subject, identified as Edwin Melara, 32, of Manassas Park, was
arrested for public intoxication. Warrants for public intoxication and assault (threats) were obtained. He
was taken before the magistrate. (Incident #PD25-00428)
DUI Arrest
123 E Main St
April 30th, 2025 – 1:43 PM
Officers were exiting the Bedford Courthouse when a citizen flagged them down regarding a male
subject parked diagonally and acting suspiciously in a vehicle. After a brief investigation, Edwin Allman,
70, of Hardy, was taken before the magistrate, where a DUI warrant was obtained. He was set for a
bond hearing once sober. (Incident #PD25-00433)
This report is published monthly. The information in each report covers
significant criminal incidents generally from the month before.
Addresses shown indicate blocks or specific locations. This is not a
comprehensive list of every police event in the town of Bedford in the
stated time frame.
Note: Information contained in the MONTHLY BRIEFING is generally
based on initial reports made to the police department. Follow-up
investigations may reveal different or additional information.
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