NEWS BRIEFS
South of the James Jaycees will host sheriff's forum

Cruz-Hernandez

The three candidates for county sheriff - Democrat "Perry" DeMay, Independent Kendrick "Ken" Hall and Republican Dennis S. Proffitt - will discuss their platforms during a forum on Wed., Oct. 10, from 7-8:30 p.m., at the Central Library, 9501 Lori Rd. The forum is being sponsored by the South of the James Jaycees.

"Our 'Meet the Candidates Night' will help to inform our members and the general public about the law enforcement officials who are running for office," said Kellie Mayfield, the Jaycee's community development vice president. "We want to provide a forum for citizens to be engaged and have all sides discuss the issues."

Candidates will answer questions posed by the public. Barbara Berlin, host of "Perspective," which airs on WCVE PBS Richmond, will moderate the event.

The forum is open to the public. No registration is required. For more information, contact LaTika Lee at 640-7378.

Man arrested for sex crimes

Police arrested 20-year-old Jose Nelson Cruz-Hernandez, of the 2400 block of Aberdeen Road, on Sept. 15 on charges of abduction and attempted rape.

According to police, Cruz-Hernandez is accused of grabbing a woman as she was walking in the Bensley Village subdivision around 10:15 p.m., touching her inappropriately and then attempting to drag her across the street. The victim escaped and contacted police.

Cruz-Hernandez was also wanted for an offense in April in which he is accused of engaging in sexual activity with a female juvenile acquaintance. He has been charged with rape in that case.

Gunshot kills county man

Corey Bowman, 27, of the 5900 block of Baron Drive, died on Sept. 11 from a gunshot wound he sustained at an apartment near the Richmond International Raceway in Henrico County. According to reports, Bowman was found on the floor at the entrance of an Essex Village apartment in the 200 block of Engleside Circle around 11:35 p.m. on Sept. 10. He had been shot once in the upper left abdomen. Bowman was taken to VCU Medical Center where he died the following morning.

Bowman was reportedly visiting his girlfriend when he was shot during an argument with another man. He was able to identify his shooter prior to passing away, and police are now looking for that suspect.

Bowman was a 1999 graduate of Meadowbrook High School.

Contractor loses license

Earlier this month, the Virginia Board for Contractors permanently revoked the license of Midlothian-based electrical contractor Michael E. Green after it was discovered he'd been convicted of two felonies. In September 2003, Green was found guilty in Dinwiddie Circuit Court of forcible sodomy of a teenage family member. He served three and a half years in prison and was released last January.

Green's convictions violate board regulations. He also failed to notify the board of his convictions.

Man assaults trooper

Oran Raynard Brown, 37, of Chesterfield County, was arrested on Sept. 11 after evading dozens of law enforcement officers during a 20-hour search along Interstate 95 near Doswell. Brown is accused of assaulting a Virginia State Police trooper after being stopped for a traffic violation the previous night on Interstate 95 at approximately 8 p.m. Trooper R.J. Barrett was treated for injuries at VCU Medical Center and later released.

Brown faces two felony charges of assaulting a police officer and an additional outstanding misdemeanor charge of assault. He is being held at the Pamunkey Regional Jail.

Police seek robbery suspects

Police are searching for at least six unidentified suspects who forced their way into a home in the 6400 block of Cosmic Road in the Regency Lake apartment complex and robbed residents of personal items on Sept. 13.

The incident occurred at about 6:50 p.m. after a rock was thrown through a front window. The suspects then kicked open the front door and stole video game equipment, a wallet and cell phone, and then fled on foot. At least one resident was assaulted during the incident and received minor injuries.

The suspects are described as black males. Three of the suspects are between 13-20 years old.

Anyone with information should call the police department at 748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 748-0660.

Pedestrian killed

A 29-year-old pedestrian was killed while attempting to cross Jefferson Davis Highway on Sept. 16. According to police, Shaun Woodfin, of the 3100 block of Tanners Way, was struck at 2:33 p.m. by a 1993 Cadillac Deville traveling south in the 13900 block. He was taken to VCU Medical Center where he later died.