James City County Police were busy this week going after people alleged to have committed fraud. They’re also investigating thefts from a barn in Toano.
James City County
Police Investigate Theft from Barn
The James City County Police Department is investigating after someone stole ceiling mounted heating units from a barn sometime Nov. 13.
Maj. Stephen Rubino of the James City County Police Department said three ceiling mounted heating units valued at $1,500 were stolen from the barn on the 9100 block of Richmond Road in Toano. During the theft, a breaker box in the barn valued at $500 was damaged.
Officers found a Gibson air conditioning unit valued at $300 on the property along with some other miscellaneous items that had been left on the property.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Line at 888-LOCK-U-UP (888-562-5887).
Man Accused of Stealing More than $2,000 from Elderly Father
A Newport News man has been charged with felony embezzlement after he allegedly took more than $2,000 from his elderly father’s bank account.
Rubino said 31-year-old Taveius Marcell Crew had power of attorney on his father’s bank account. On March 1, he allegedly took the money from the account. The embezzlement was detected when power of attorney was changed to another relative.
Police are unaware of any of the money being recovered. The incident was reported in June, and warrants were taken out against Crew in July. Police found him Nov. 16 and arrested him.
Crew will appear at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in Williamsburg-James City County District Court.
Man Accused of Welfare Fraud
A James City County man is facing a felony charge after he allegedly received more than $3,000 in welfare benefits for which he was not eligible.
Rubino said 26-year-old Joseph Michael Worst received more than $3,000 of benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program between March 12 and March 30. Police believe he did not report his income.
Worst was arrested Nov. 15. He will appear at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in Williamsburg-James City County District Court.
Woman Accused of Taking Out Credit Card in Mother’s Name
A James City County woman is accused of taking out a Discover card in her mother’s name and then racking up more than $6,000 in charges between Jan. 6 and April 5.
There isn’t any indication of what the woman allegedly bought with the card. Rubino said 44-year-old Meredith Harper Smith is facing one count of felony credit card fraud.
Harper will appear at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in Williamsburg-James City County District Court.
In Case You Missed it
- A criminal complaint against a man accused of murder says he confessed to the murder in a handwritten note found by police.
- The owner of a hookah lounge in York County and four other people have been charged by federal authorities after the allegedly sold illegal drugs.
- The suspect in an abduction case from Isle of Wight County may have approached a girl at a bus stop in Upper York County.
- Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) was stabbed several times by his son, former College of William and Mary student Gus Deeds. The son then shot and killed himself with a rifle.
- The York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a man reportedly watched children board school buses.
- A Surry County woman is facing a reckless driving charge after she drove her car into the Pottery.
- A James City County man allegedly kidnapped his ex-girlfriend and took her to Isle of Wight County.
