TOWN OF BEDFORD, VA. — Following an extensive investigation into a 2024 armed burglary in the Town of Bedford, police have arrested three individuals after utilizing forensic DNA evidence and cellular data analysis to identify and locate those involved. The investigation was conducted through a coordinated effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies and forensic specialists. Evidence collected throughout the case established links between the suspects and the crime sce

BEDFORD, VA – On Thursday, May 14, 2026, shortly after 9:00 p.m. officers from the Bedford Police Department responded to a shooting on Piedmont Street in the Town of Bedford. Officers discovered that a 29-year-old man was shot outside a residence in the 1000 block of Piedmont Street. The shooter fled the scene and has not been located. The victim was stabilized at Bedford Memorial Hospital and then flown to another area hospital for surgery. As of the most recent update, the

BEDFORD, VA – On Thursday, April 2, 2026, The Bedford Police Department received a complaint regarding an inappropriate relationship involving a Liberty Middle School teacher and a juvenile. Bedford County Child Protective Services, Bedford County Public Schools, and the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office were notified and immediately took steps following their response protocol. Subsequent investigation and legal process by the Bedford Police Department led to identifying the i

BEDFORD, VA – The Bedford Police Department secured warrants on Sunday, March 15, 2026 charging three individuals with Abuse and Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult (18.2-369 of the Code of Virginia). The investigation began on November 19, 2025 after allegations were made about possible criminal neglect of an elderly female. The female was a resident at Cardinal Senior Living located in the 1300 block of Longwood Avenue. At the time, the three individuals charged were employees at

BEDFORD, VA - On Thursday, March 12, 2026, at approximately 8:05 p.m., officers from the Bedford Police Department were dispatched and responded to a disturbance at the Raintree Village Apartments located at 720 Blue Ridge Avenue in the Town of Bedford. Bedford County Emergency Communications received a call from residents who reported hearing what sounded like a female being assaulted inside an apartment by a male subject. The caller reported hearing screaming, yelling, and

On January 12, 2026, Thomas McKinley, age 50, of Chesterfield, Virginia, was arrested for a violation of §18.2-374.1:1 Code of Virginia, Possession of Child Pornography. During the evening of January 11, 2026, the Bedford Police Department obtained information that McKinley planned to travel from Chesterfield to the Town of Bedford in an attempt to engage in sexual acts with a person he believed to be an 11-year-old child. BPD officers located McKinley and took him into custo

On December 30, 2025, the Bedford Police Department charged two Roanoke men, 26-year-old Brandon Harmeling, and 30-year-old James Harmeling, with multiple offenses related to destruction of property and larceny. The arrests follow an investigation involving allegations that the two men were involved in a series of copper thefts from commercial sites across multiple jurisdictions in Virginia. Two of these incidents occurred within the Town of Bedford. The Bedford Police Depart

On Thursday, December 11, 2025, Gregory Johnson age 39 of the Town of Bedford was arrested on 6 felony warrants involving crimes against children. They include the following:  3 counts of (§ 18.2-61) Rape  2 counts of (§ 18.2-370.1) Taking indecent liberties with a child  1 count of (§ 18.2-67.1) Forcible sodomy The Bedford Police Department would like to thank the U.S. Marshals, Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, and Bedford County Social Services for their assistance with

The Bedford Police Department is urging residents to remain vigilant as reports of phone scams involving alleged solar panel installations and “energy savings” programs continue to increase in the area. In recent incidents, callers falsely claim to be working directly with local utility providers, including the Bedford Electric Department. Earlier today, an officer spoke with one of these callers and quickly confirmed the call was fraudulent. The individual was unable to prov

This is a sentence update to a media release from Wednesday, May 21, 2025 of the arrest of John Eddy Witcher. That release follows this brief sentencing update for your reference. On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, John Eddy Witcher entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to 20 years in a state penitentiary, with 10 years suspended. This sentence is to run concurrently with another. ORIGINAL MEDIA RELEASE FROM MAY 21, 2025 On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, the Bedford Police Department

On November 5th, 2025, William Phillips, age 35 and a resident of Bedford County, VA, was taken into custody by the Bedford Police Department on three felony charges under VA Code 18.2-374.3. The charges involve the use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children under the age of 15. The Bedford Police Department extends its gratitude to the Bedford County Sherriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance in the arrest of this i

Following an extensive investigation involving multiple search warrants, numerous interviews, and countless hours of dedicated work, the...

Total Calls for Service: 995 Larceny (Shoplifting) 558 Blue Ridge Ave June 1st, 2025 – 4:18 PM Officers responded to Dollar General on...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 4, 2025 Incident at Burks Hill Road Shell Station – Investigation Ongoing BEDFORD, VA – Just before 1:00...

The Bedford Police Department is asking for your assistance in locating Christopher Warren Patsel. Patsel is wanted in connection with...

On August 12, 2025, the Bedford Police Department charged Robert Corbin age 40 of Roanoke with multiple child sex crime charges. This...

On August 4, 2025, the Bedford Police Department received information from the Leesburg Police Department and Roanoke County Police...

Total Calls for Service: 958 Larceny 875 Blue Ridge Ave June 1st, 2025 – 12:50 PM Officers responded to Royal Farms for a report of...

On June 19, 2025, the Bedford Police Department responded to Berglund Ford, located in the 1400 block of Boxwood Terrace in Bedford for a...

Total Calls for Service: 1,014 Public Intoxication 800+ Burks Hill Rd May 1st, 2025 – 8:12 AM Officers responded to the 800 block of...