Latest news with #OperationBoldBlueLine
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Norfolk mayor seeks city role in holding shoplifters accountable
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Larceny cases are down in Norfolk after the first three months of this year. That's compared to the same amount of time in 2024, a year in which they hit a five-year high. Friday, Mayor Kenny Alexander announced that he would like to see the city play a role in holding shoplifters accountable. Norfolk mayor touts accomplishments, takes swipe at Fatehi City Attorney Bernard Pishko told 10 On Your Side's Brett Hall that the city already prosecutes misdemeanors now — code violations being one example. If City Council passed an ordinance, shoplifting would be considered the same way. 'In Norfolk, we intend to support businesses impacted by shoplifting by passing a city ordinance ordinance that enables the city to prosecute shoplifting,' Alexander said Friday in his State of the City address, with Commonwealth's Attorney Ramin Fatehi sitting front and center. 'Enforcing this crime under city code will allow Norfolk to take action where the Commonwealth has not.' Fatehi said, however, that it's not that he hasn't taken action. He points to six convictions in the past year, including one in which a suspect robbed three ABC stores and will spend more than a year behind bars. Previously: Concerns raised following announcement of Gov. Youngkin's Operation Bold Blue Line, a multimillion-dollar proposal to combat violence 'The best thing to do is to provide the resources so that there are prosecutors in the courtroom so that business owners and police aren't there to fend for themselves,' Fatehi said. Other Commonwealth's Attorneys in the region confirm that they do not have the staff to prosecute misdemeanor crimes. Fatehi, for his part, said he would love to prosecute more shoplifters. 'My office has needed 10 extra prosecutors for years,' Fatehi said. 'The City Council has not given them to me.' While 10 On Your Side was unable to speak with Alexander after his speech, it's worth noting that this is all happening as the mayor backs former U.S. Attorney John Butler to defeat Fatehi in the June primary. In 'hardest city in region to police,' crime in Norfolk trending down 'I think that speaks to the City Council and the mayor's frustration with not having an effective partner in the Commonwealth's Attorney's office,' Butler said. Councilman John 'J.P.' Paige, when asked about the mayor's idea to let the city prosecute shoplifting, said 'that was a new one for me. I would like to do a little more research before I make any comments on that or get my own personal stance on it.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Yahoo
VSP: Suspect leads police on chase, crashes, swallows ‘unknown substance' in Hampton
HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) – A suspect wanted for federal firearm indictments out of Hampton was arrested on Thursday, according to Virginia State Police. According to officials, just before 5 p.m., officers conducted a routine traffic stop on a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro for improper registration. Police were able to determine the driver, 28-year-old Evan Devon Boyd Jr., was wanted out of Hampton for federal firearm indictments and felony eluding charges. Boyd refused to stop, resulting in a pursuit on the westbound lanes of I-64 at the 262 mile marker. While taking exit 261A, Boyd struck the guardrail, but continued on to the intersection of Hampton Roads Center Parkway and Big Bethel Road, where he crashed into a 2015 Ford Explorer, police said. After striking the vehicle, Boyd exited the Camaro and attempted to flee the scene on foot, during which police said he 'ate and swallowed an unknown substance.' Boyd was caught a short time later, and taken to a local hospital for evaluation. The driver of the Ford was said to have non life-threatening injuries. Boyd was served with the outstanding warrants, and charged with the following: Felony eluding Felony destruction of property Possession of ammunition by a felon Possession of schedule I/II narcotics Felony hit-and-run This arrest was in partnership between Virginia State Police and the Hampton Police Department and part of the Operation Bold Blue Line initiative which partners state and local law enforcement agencies to get illegal drugs and weapons off the streets. Continue to check for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
