NEWS BRIEFS
Gecker will remain on planning commission

Commissioner Dan Gecker will finish out his last year on the Chesterfield County Planning Commission even though he’ll serve under the man he lost to while seeking the Midlothian supervisor seat.

“It’s customary to resign, and so we discussed it,” said Midlothian Supervisor Don Sowder. “He said he had no intentions of resigning, and I respect that.”

Sowder and Gecker ran against each other in the election for the Midlothian supervisor seat last month. Republican Sowder defeated Democrat Gecker, but Sowder has to run for a full four-year term next November because he is only serving the final year of former Supervisor Ed Barber’s term. Barber resigned last summer after pleading guilty to two misdemeanor sex charges precipitated by his stepdaughter.

Gecker has said he is considering whether to run again for supervisor in 2007.

Homicide suspect indicted

A 19-year-old suspect has been indicted and arrested in connection with the July home invasion murder of Harold E. Jones.

Jones was visiting a home in the 5200 block of Goolsby Court on July 10 when a man forced his way into the home, demanded money and shot Jones. The suspect fled without obtaining any money.

Over the last four months, an extensive investigation led to the indictment of Clifton E. Sauls, of the 3100 block of Space Road, for first-degree murder in Jones’ death.

Sauls is charged with one count of murder, six counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony, six counts of attempting to commit a non-capital felony, two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, one count of entering a dwelling with the intent to commit a robbery, one count of entering a dwelling with the intent to commit a robbery while armed, and one count of conspiracy to commit a felony. He is being held without bond at the Richmond City Jail pending an upcoming hearing in Chesterfield County Circuit Court.

Old Buckingham Road project completed

The Virginia Department of Transportation recently finished a new bridge and safety improvements on Old Buckingham Road. Contractor Corman Construction completed the work on time and under budget last month. The project was projected to cost $3.2 million, but totaled only $2.8 million – a savings of 11 percent.

Police arrest three on drug charges

The Chesterfield County Police Department continues to investigate a multi-kilogram drug distribution organization operating in the Richmond metro.

County police, with assistance from the Henrico County and Richmond police departments, recently executed multiple search warrants that resulted in the seizure of more than three kilograms of cocaine, five vehicles and $4,000 in cash.

Those arrested included Evis D. Martinez, 23, of the 2800 block of Broad Rock Boulevard in Richmond; Augustin G. Morales, 26, of the 2500 block of Larryvale Drive; and Natalie R. Bartolomei, 22, of the 2800 of Broad Rock Boulevard in Richmond. Martinez and Morales were charged with drug distribution and conspiracy. Both men are being held without bond in the Chesterfield County Jail pending an upcoming hearing in circuit court. Bartolomei is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. She is being held in the Richmond City Jail pending an upcoming hearing in Richmond General District Court.

At press time, police were continuing to search for Fransico Javier Norzagary-Cervantes, 27, of the 2400 block of Dickens Road in Henrico County, and Alejandano De Pena Quinonez, 28, of the 2500 block of Larryvale Drive. Both men have been identified as the leaders of the area organization and are wanted for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Anyone with information should call the Chesterfield County Police Department at 748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 748-0660.

County teen in stand-off with police

A 15-year-old boy who ran away from a group home in Chesterfield was involved in a standoff with Richmond police on Nov. 29. The boy refused to leave his mother’s apartment in Gilpin Court for almost an hour before surrendering to police.

Police investigate home invasion

A home invasion at a residence in the 7300 block of Iron Bridge Road on Dec. 2 left two people injured. According to police, four male suspects forced their way into the home around 10 p.m.

One man at the residence was shot in the leg and abducted. He was found a few hours later on Iron Bridge Road near the site of the home invasion. A second man – the homeowner – sustained a shoulder injury.

Police continue to investigate this crime. Anyone with information is asked to call the Chesterfield County Police Department at 748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 748-0660.

Burglary suspect indicted

A Chesterfield County grand jury indicted Charles R. Morris, 47, of the 600 block of Pensacola Avenue in Richmond, last month in connection with a series of residential burglaries that occurred countywide between July 2005 and September 2006.

Police said Morris burglarized homes at night in the River’s Bend, Bexley and Summerford subdivisions primarily while victims were home. Stolen items included wallets, purses, change, keys and jewelry that were left in plain sight. Morris was wanted in connection with numerous similar burglaries in the Richmond metro. Henrico County Police arrested Morris in October.

Morris is charged with attempted burglary, burglary and grand larceny. He is being held without bond at the Henrico County Jail pending an upcoming hearing in Chesterfield County Circuit Court.