National Night Out

Used by permission by the Warren County Office employee Sergeant Terry Fritts

Communities across the Shenandoah Valley and around the country are preparing to come together for National Night Out.

This annual event is to strengthen relationships between residents and first responders.

National Night Out events often feature opportunities for families to meet police officers, firefighters, emergency responders in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

The evening to connect with residents outside of emergency situations, answer questions and share information about crime prevention and public safety.

National Night Out is also a chance for children to meet the people who serve their communities and learn more about the work they do.

Events vary by community and may include food, games, music, demonstrations and activities for children.

Organizers say the goal is simple: build stronger connections between neighbors and the public safety professionals who serve them.

National Night Out is held annually on the first Tuesday in August across the nation.

This year the Warren County Sheriff’s Office Foundation will host the celebration from 5 to 8 pm at the Gazebo.

Please more information, please listen to Monday’s Newsmaker with Front Royal Chief Bryan Whited about National Night Out Front Royal.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

FRPD car chase end in crash

Front Royal Police Department seal used by permission

On Thursday, July 9th at 3 pm officers with the Front Royal Police Department (FRPD) attempted to stop a green Nissan that was reported stolen.

The car failed to stop and fled the scene in the area of Villa and 6th Street, the driver continued at a high rate of speed on to Shenandoah Avenue.

While continuing onto eastbound I-66, the driver recklessly passed several other vehicles.

Just before mile marker 12, the driver exited the road entered a wooded area in the median and crashed.

The driver immediately fled the scene, a passenger also exited the vehicle at this time.

She was briefly detained for questioning before being transported to Warren Memorial Hospital.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, and the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office assisted in sitting up a perimeter.

The driver was not initially located.

Warren County Sheriff’s Deputies located James R. Lewis a short distance from the crash site.

They took him into custody without further incident.

He was taken to Warren Memorial Hospital and transferred to the RSW Jail.

Mr. Lewis is charged with several different crimes including:

  • Felony disregarding a law enforcement signal to stop.
  • Reckless Driving
  • Obstruction of Justice

More charges are pending.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Drug investigation leads to interstate pursuit

Used by permission by the Warren County Office employee Sergeant Terry Fritts

A Harrisonburg man is behind bars following a drug investigation and high-speed chase through Warren and Shenandoah counties.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office says Brian Terrell Richardson fled from deputies on Interstate 66 Thursday, striking another vehicle and driving recklessly before being stopped with a PIT maneuver near Strasburg.

Investigators recovered approximately 690 grams of methamphetamine, 82 pressed fentanyl pills, and more than $4,300 in cash.

Richardson faces multiple felony charges, including drug distribution, felony eluding, and hit-and-run.

He is being held without bond at the RSW Regional Jail.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Community Steps Up After Student Bus Breaks Down on Route 340

Used by permission by the Warren County Office employee Sergeant Terry Fritts

A group of students from the D.C. metro area got an unexpected lesson in community support after their bus broke down along Route 340.

First responders and local agencies worked together to help.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office and the Warren County Public Schools Transportation Division helped to safely transport students and teachers to the Public Safety Building.

While crews worked to inspect the bus, the focus shifted to keeping everyone comfortable.

Local businesses stepped in to help, with community pizza places donating food so students and staff could enjoy a warm meal.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

WCSO arrest and charge a Front Royal man with abduction and more

Used by permission by the Warren County Office employee Sergeant Terry Fritts

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) reports the arrest of a Front Royal man for abduction, attempted rape, and strangulation.

On November 24 a 28-year-old female reported that she was held against her will and rape was attempted on her.

She reported that the alleged incident occurred at a residence in the 700 block of Mountain Road.

Investigators initiated an immediate investigation including collection of evidence and interview of the suspect.

The WCSO obtained a felony warrant against John A. Reel of Front Royal.

On December 1 the 30-year-old Reel was taken into custody and ordered held without bond at the Rappahannock, Shenandoah, Warren Regional Jail.

Reel faces his charges on January 14 in Warren County General District Court.

The investigation continues and anyone with any information regarding Reel or this incident is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office’s T.A. Romer at 540-635-7100.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

WCSO and additional resources resolve an over 4 hour stand off

Used by permission by the Warren County Office employee Sergeant Terry Fritts

Warren County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and additional resources reports resolving an over 4 hour stand off.

Just before 6 p.m. October 17 WCSO deputies responded to the report of a dispute between neighbors that included shots fired.

Deputies arrived in the 200 block of River Manor Drive and spoke to a resident.

During that interaction several shots in succession were heard.

Deputies made their way to a home and attempted to contact the resident Bradley E. Treece.

Treece refused to come out or communicate with authorities.

The neighbor who reported the initial concern told officers that Treece made a threat to kill him.

Those threats were followed by approximately 20 to 30 shots fired.

The Incident Command System was activated which brought in crisis negotiators, special operations, drone, and tactical teams.

After several hours of negotiations Treece surrendered at approximately 10:20 p.m.

He was examined and cleared by medical personnel and taken to Rappahannock Shenandoah Warren Regional Jail where he is being held without bond.

The 60-year-old Treece faces charges of attempted murder, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, reckless handling of a firearm, obstruction of justice, assault and battery hate crime.

A rave alert was issued to the immediate area affected by the incident and rescinded as soon as the arrest was made.

To receive rave alerts, go to get rave dot com and register for alerts from Warren County Virginia.

Agencies from Rappahannock, Fauquier Counties and the City of Winchester police department assisted in bringing the situation to a peaceful conclusion.

There were no injuries reported in the incident.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

RSW and WCSO investigate the death of an inmate

Used by permission by the Warren County Office employee Sergeant Terry Fritts

Warren County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and Rappahannock Shenandoah Warren Regional Jail (RSW) report the launching of an external and internal investigation after the death of an inmate.

The incident began after the arrest of D’Andre Christopher Lawrence following  a traffic stop.

Lawrence was stopped for an expired state inspection just past midnight September 25.

While the traffic stop was being conducted a Canine Officer had a positive alert to narcotics during a free air sniff.

Deputies located suspected crack cocaine in the vehicle and placed Lawrence under arrest.

Lawrence was taken to RSW where he appeared before the magistrate and was sentenced to be held without bond.

While being processed at the jail Lawrence began to experience a medical emergency and appeared to show signs of an overdose.

Emergency medical procedures were administered immediately while Warren County Fire and Rescue were called in and on their way.

Lawrence was transported to Warren Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Both WCSO and RSW operate under strict legal policies and framework.

Under that framework both agencies have begun the necessary and required investigation.

At this point in the investigation the descendant has been taken to the Chief Medial Examiner for a full examination and determination of cause of death.

Those findings will guide this  ongoing investigation and internal review.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

WCSO joining Winchester-Frederick-Warren Crime Stoppers

Used by permission by the Warren County Office employee Sergeant Terry Fritts

Warren County Sheriff’s announced joining the Winchester-Frederick-Warren Crime Stoppers Program which will expand opportunities for citizens to report crime anonymously and securely.

By joining crime stoppers WCSO strengthens investigative capabilities with a national platform.

Direct links to P3, an anonymous tip platform, will be included in WCSO social media posts regarding any “attempts to identify”.

The community is encouraged to share information about Crime Stoppers with friends, on social media, neighbors, churches and civic groups.

Community members can share valuable information via Phone at 540-665-TIPS, by downloading the app or by going online to www.p3tips.com.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Front Royal man charged with attempted murder

Used by permission by the Warren County Office employee Sergeant Terry Fritts

A Front Royal man is behind bars after allegedly plotting to kill two people in Warren County (WC).

According to the WC Sheriff’s Office, Michael Dewayne Massey II was taken into custody following a traffic stop on August 9th.

During the stop, conducted in response to a welfare check, Massey reportedly disclosed to deputies that he intended to kill two individuals known to him.

Deputies say they recovered evidence inside Massey’s vehicle supporting that claim.

The intended victims were found safe and have since been provided with protection.

Acting swiftly, the Sheriff’s Office coordinated with the Commonwealth Attorney to obtain arrest warrants.

On September 4th, Massey was arrested without incident and taken to Rappahannock Shenandoah Warren Regional Jail.

Where he remains held without bond.

Massey is charged with two counts of Attempted Murder.

Officials emphasize that the incident was isolated and that the public was never in danger.

They’re urging residents to stay alert and report any suspicious activity.

The investigation is ongoing, and no further details have been released at this time.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Sheriff Crystal Cline’s scam warning

Used by permission by the Warren County Office employee Sergeant Terry Fritts

Sheriff Crystal Cline is warning residents to stay alert as a surge of new phone scams sweeps through our area.

Sheriff Cline warns of scammers using clever tactics to target residents, including phone calls, texts, and emails posing as the sheriff’s office, demanding payments and personal information.

Some scams go so far as to threaten arrests or legal trouble if you don’t comply.

Sheriff Cline wants to remind everyone:

  • Never give out your personal or financial information over the phone or online unless you’re sure who you’re dealing with.
  •  The sheriff’s office will never demand payment or sensitive details by phone, and will never threaten to arrest you this way.
  •  If you get a suspicious call, hang up right away and contact the sheriff’s office directly to check.
  • And don’t forget to report any scam attempts to local law enforcement. You could help stop someone else from becoming a victim.

The sheriff’s office has already received several reports from concerned citizens and is working alongside other authorities to investigate.

Sheriff Cline encourages everyone, especially seniors, who are often targeted, to share this warning with friends, family, and neighbors.

If you think you’ve been contacted by a scammer or have lost money to a scam, get in touch with the sheriff’s office immediately.

All reports are taken seriously and will be thoroughly investigated.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.