Man Arrested For Vehicle Break-ins
A Hanover man has been arrested and is facing multiple charges in connection with a number of vehicle break-ins and thefts earlier this year.
Antonio Jermaine Spencer, 35, was taken into custody on Oct. 22 by the Goochland County Sheriff’s Office while investigating similar incidents in their jurisdiction, according to a press release by the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office that was sent out on Sunday. A search warrant was obtained by investigators from the sheriff’s office, who searched Spencer’s vehicle and found several items connected to the cases in Rockbridge County, as well as several other jurisdictions.
Spencer was charged with three felonies: one count of burglary, one count of grand larceny and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He has also been charged with 13 counts of petit larceny and 19 counts of tampering with a vehicle, both of which are misdemeanors.
The investigation began on Aug. 28 when the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a series of larcenies that occurred overnight in the Maury Cliffs subdivision in the Furrs Mill area. The preliminary investigation revealed that approximately 15 vehicles and one garage had been entered and that numerous personal items had been stolen. Investigators responded to a similar incident on Oct. 10 in the Mount Vista subdivision off West Midland Trail, where six vehicles were entered and multiple items were stolen.
During both investigations, investigators reviewed hours of home and business surveillance footage and analyzed data and images captured by the Flock Camera System, an AI-driven, cloud-connected license plate reader network that allows deputies to identify suspect vehicles and track criminal activity in real time. Through this and other evidence collected, investigators developed a suspect and a suspect vehicle, and flagged the stolen items in the Virginia Criminal Information Network, alerting law enforcement agencies across the state to what had been stolen. “This case demonstrates the effectiveness of teamwork, technology, and persistence in solving cases that impact our communities,” Sheriff Tony McFaddin said in the statement. “I want to personally thank Investigator Ryan McCullough for his outstanding work in leading this case and comment all our investigators for their professionalism, diligence, and commitment to serving the citizens of Rockbridge County.”
The case remains ongoing and additional charges are pending as investigators continue to work with other jurisdictions to identify and recover stolen property.
Break-in
At Layne’s
The Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man from the Fancy Hill area in connection with a break-in at Layne’s Country Store on U.S. 11 South on Nov. 1.
According to a press release put out by the sheriff’s office Monday, officers with the sheriff’s office were dispatched to the store at approximately 10:43 a.m. after the owner called 911, reporting that he’d found an individual inside the store when he arrived to open the store for the day. The individual had fled on foot, but the owner was able to provide a description.
Sheriff McFaddin responded to the area and located a person matching the description a short distance from the store. Other deputies also responded, conducted an investigation and placed the suspect under arrest.
The suspect was identified as Jeremy Ray Young, 39. He is charged with one felony count of breaking and entering and one felony count of destruction of property, as well as one misdemeanor count of petit larceny and one misdemeanor count of trespassing with intent to damage property. He is currently being held in Rockbridge County Regional Jail pending a hearing on Nov. 14.
Standoff
In Goshen
A Goshen woman who barricaded herself in a house on Stillwater Drive in Goshen was taken into custody following a two-hour standoff with the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office on Halloween, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.
Deputies responded the scene following a call to the Rockbridge Regional Pubic Safety Communications Center regarding a “naked, suicidal female who had reportedly relapsed on drugs and was armed with a rifle.”
After arriving on the scene, attempts were made to communicate with the woman, but she did not cooperate. The sheriff’s SWAT team was activated to assist and also attempted to establish communication upon arriving on the scene, but were unsuccessful, and the woman “continued to refuse commands to put down the rifle and exit the residence.” Deputies were able to engage the woman face-to-face, on several occasions, but she “remained agitated and at one point held the rifle to her head.”
Sheriff McFaddin was able to establish communication between the woman and her substance abuse counselor in a further effort to deescalate the situation, but the woman continued to refuse the sheriff’s requests. After two hours on scene, law enforcement lost communication with the woman and McFaddin authorized deployment of gas into the residence. The woman exited the residence soon after and was taken into custody without further incident on a warrant that had been obtained earlier in the evening.
The woman, identified as Amy Christina Bates, 44, of Goshen, was charged with felony violation of a protective order involving a firearm. The release stated that the investigation was ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming.
“Our primary goal in every situation is the safety of everyone involved, including the individual in crisis,” McFaddin said. “I’m proud of the patience, professionalism, and restraint shown by our deputies and SWAT team. Their teamwork ensured that this dangerous situation was resolved peacefully and without injury. We remain committed to protecting our community while working compassionately with those struggling with addiction and mental health challenges.”
