MANASSAS, VA — On Friday at 1:04 PM, police were called to the 7400 block of Stream Walk Ln. to investigate a robbery reported to have occurred the previous evening. A 47-year-old man was attacked by three men while walking near Hiram Ct.
The assailants demanded money, then assaulted the victim, knocking him to the ground and kicking him. They stole money from his wallet and fled the scene.
The victim sustained minor injuries. The suspects, described only as black males, are believed to have targeted the victim in this incident.
- Virginia delivery driver attacked after suspect allegedly dragged victim from vehicle in Stafford
Photo 124391168 © Viorel Margineanu | Dreamstime.comDeputies say a package delivery dispute escalated into a violent assault and arrest
STAFFORD, Va. — A Stafford man was arrested after deputies said he became enraged with a package delivery driver, followed the victim to another location, and allegedly pulled the worker from a vehicle before assaulting them.
The incident happened Wednesday at approximately 4:28 p.m. in the area of Sunny Hill Court, according to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Robertson responded to the scene after receiving reports of an assault involving a delivery driver.
Investigators said the suspect became upset with the victim during a package delivery and then followed the victim to a second location.
At that location, deputies said the suspect allegedly pulled the delivery driver out of the vehicle and assaulted the victim.
Authorities reported visible redness and marks on the victim’s body when deputies arrived.
After speaking with both parties involved, deputies arrested the suspect.
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as 52-year-old Warren Miles of Stafford.
Miles was charged with assault and battery and later released with a court date.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Key Points
- A Stafford delivery driver was allegedly attacked after being followed to a second location
- Deputies arrested 52-year-old Warren Miles on assault and battery charges
- Investigators said the victim suffered visible injuries during the inciden
- Virginia first grade teacher stunned with cash prize after thank you note turns into jackpot surprise
A Bedford County educator walked into school and walked out with $2.5K and a major gift for her classroom
BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. — A Virginia first-grade teacher expecting nothing more than another school day was suddenly surprised with a cash prize and classroom support after a thank-you note turned into a winning lottery moment.
Nicolette Dishman, a first-grade teacher at New London Academy in Bedford County, was named the grand prize winner in the Virginia Lottery’s Thank a Teacher campaign, according to lottery officials.
Dishman received $2,500 in cash through the Virginia Lottery and its partners, Brightstar Lottery and NeoPollard Interactive.
Her school, New London Academy, will also receive a $2,500 credit for school supplies through program partner The Supply Room.
Lottery officials said Dishman’s entry was randomly selected from thousands of educators across Virginia who entered the drawing using unique codes included on Thank a Teacher appreciation notes.
The Virginia Lottery surprised the teacher with the news during a special presentation at the school on May 21.
According to the Virginia Lottery, the Thank a Teacher campaign is held annually during National Teacher Appreciation Week and encourages Virginians to send thank-you notes to K-12 public school teachers throughout the Commonwealth.
Each note includes artwork created by Virginia students through the Thank a Teacher Art Contest along with a unique entry code for prize drawings.
Lottery officials said more than one million thank-you notes have been delivered to teachers statewide since the program launched in 2016.
This year alone, a record 225,650 appreciation notes were distributed to educators across Virginia.
The Virginia Lottery said all profits support K-12 public education across the state. Bedford County Public Schools received more than $7.3 million in lottery funding for education during the last fiscal year.
In Fiscal Year 2025, the Virginia Lottery generated more than $901 million for K-12 public education statewide.
Key Points
- Bedford County teacher Nicolette Dishman won a $2.5K Virginia Lottery prize
- New London Academy also received $2.5K in school supply funding
- The prize came through the Virginia Lottery’s Thank a Teacher campaign
- Virginia Beach Driver Charged After Woman Killed in Crosswalk Hit-and-Run on Pacific Avenue
Virginia Beach Police Department-file photoVirginia Beach, VA — A 34-year-old woman died after police say she was struck by a vehicle in a marked crosswalk along Pacific Avenue before the driver fled the scene Thursday night near the Virginia Beach oceanfront.
Officers identified the victim as Kathleen Bachand of Virginia Beach. Emergency crews responded around 9 p.m. to the 900 block of Pacific Avenue, where they found Bachand dead in the roadway, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.
Investigators say the driver left the scene immediately after the collision.
Police Arrested Suspect at Nearby Hotel Parking Lot
A preliminary investigation by the Virginia Beach Police Department Traffic Safety Unit determined Bachand had been crossing in a marked crosswalk when she was hit.
Police later located the suspected driver, identified as 48-year-old John Peacock of Virginia Beach, in a nearby hotel parking lot.
Authorities said Peacock was taken into custody without incident and now faces charges of manslaughter and felony hit-and-run.
Investigators also said alcohol impairment is suspected in the crash.
Key Points
• Kathleen Bachand, 34, died after being struck in a marked crosswalk on Pacific Avenue in Virginia Beach.
• Police charged John Peacock, 48, with manslaughter and felony hit-and-run after locating him nearby.
• Investigators said alcohol impairment is suspected in the deadly crash.
Fatal Crash Happened Near Busy Oceanfront Corridor
The crash occurred along Pacific Avenue, a heavily traveled roadway near Virginia Beach’s resort and hotel district that sees significant pedestrian activity, especially during warm-weather evenings and tourist season.
Virginia Beach police have not yet released details about the vehicle involved or the circumstances leading up to the collision.
The Traffic Safety Unit continues to investigate the fatal crash and whether additional charges could follow.
Police Seek Witnesses and Surveillance Video
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or has information related to the incident to contact the Virginia Beach Police Department at 757-385-4606.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Solvers by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or through P3Tips.com.
The investigation remains active as detectives continue reviewing evidence from the scene and surrounding area.
- Newport News Police Introduce Two New K9s Set to Begin Patrol Training
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Newport News Police Department has added two new four-legged recruits to its K9 unit, with officers beginning months of intensive bonding and training before the dogs officially enter service.
The department announced Thursday that K9 Officer Daniel and K9 Officer Douglass recently traveled to Greenville, South Carolina, to pick up their new police dogs, Bruno and Oso.
Bruno, partnered with Officer Daniel, is a mixed breed combining German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois bloodlines. Oso, assigned to Officer Douglass, is a Belgian Malinois, a breed commonly used in law enforcement because of its agility, intelligence, and high-drive work ethic.
Police officials said both handlers and dogs have already started training and relationship-building exercises as they prepare for active duty assignments.
New K9 Teams Begin Months of Specialized Training
According to the Newport News Police Department, the new K9 teams are expected to complete training over the next six to eight months before becoming operational.
Police K9 programs typically involve extensive instruction in obedience, suspect apprehension, tracking, evidence detection, and handler coordination. The initial bonding phase is considered critical because officers and dogs work together daily in high-pressure situations.
Photo: police investigating strong armed robbery in manassas The department shared photos of the new K9s on social media while welcoming them to the force.
“Please join us in welcoming the newest four-legged members to the NNPD family,” the department said in its announcement.
Key Points
• Newport News police added two new K9s named Bruno and Oso
• The dogs were picked up in Greenville, South Carolina
• Training is expected to take six to eight months before active duty
Belgian Malinois Commonly Used in Police Work
Belgian Malinois dogs have become increasingly popular among police departments nationwide because of their speed, stamina, and trainability. German Shepherds also remain a longtime staple in law enforcement K9 programs.
Bruno’s mixed breeding combines traits from both working dog lines, while Oso is a full Belgian Malinois.
The Newport News Police Department did not specify what assignments the dogs will eventually handle, though police K9s commonly assist with patrol operations, narcotics detection, suspect tracking, and searches.
The addition of the new K9 teams comes as departments across the country continue investing in specialized canine units to support patrol officers and tactical operations.
Officials said Bruno and Oso are currently focused on acclimating to their handlers and beginning foundational training before moving into advanced certification work.
The dogs are expected to officially join active police operations sometime later this year or early next year, depending on training progress.
- Pulaski County Felon Admits Selling Stolen Guns After Firearms Taken From Virginia Building
ROANOKE, Va. — A Pulaski County man barred from possessing firearms because of his criminal history admitted in federal court Wednesday that he sold two stolen rifles after they were taken from an unoccupied Virginia building.
Michael Brandon Smith, 40, of Dublin, Virginia, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia.
Federal prosecutors said Smith knowingly took possession of the stolen firearms and sold them to another person after an acquaintance brought the weapons onto property owned by Smith’s father.
Stolen Rifles Recovered by Federal Agents
According to court documents, the firearms were stolen sometime between Jan. 27 and Feb. 6, 2025, from an unoccupied building.
Prosecutors said Smith understood the weapons had been stolen when the acquaintance brought them to his father’s property. Investigators said Smith then attempted to remove the guns from the property by selling them.
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives later recovered both firearms identified in the case — a Savage Arms .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle and a Hawthorne-Sentry .22 caliber long rifle.
Because Smith has prior felony convictions, federal law prohibited him from possessing firearms.
Guilty Plea Exposes Defendant to Federal Prison Time
Smith now faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in federal prison at sentencing.
Federal prosecutors did not disclose the identity of the person who allegedly stole the firearms or provide additional details about the original theft investigation.
The case highlights how stolen firearms frequently move through informal networks before resurfacing in criminal investigations. Federal authorities routinely pursue charges against convicted felons found possessing or trafficking weapons because of the heightened public safety risks associated with illegal firearm transfers.
Key Points
• Dublin, Virginia, man pleaded guilty to possessing and selling stolen firearms
• Two rifles stolen from an unoccupied building were later recovered by ATF agents
• Convicted felon faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing
ATF Led Investigation
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert N. Tracci and ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Samuel Ward announced the guilty plea.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
Federal court records show Smith entered the guilty plea Wednesday in U.S. District Court. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.