NEWS BRIEFS
Traffic sting nets 31 tickets

A traffic light enforcement at the intersection of Courthouse Road and Midlothian Turnpike during rush hour on Sept. 21 resulted in 31 traffic summonses being issued. The infractions included 15 failures to obey a traffic signal, seven failures to obey a highway sign, three driving without a seat belt and other minor offenses.

The Chesterfield County Police Traffic Section targeted that intersection because of its high rate of traffic and the number of motorists who continue to disobey the traffic light signals there.

Another bank robbery

Police are searching for a man who robbed the First Federal Savings Bank of Virginia branch at 4222 Bonniebank Rd. shortly before 1:45 p.m. on Sept. 26. No one was injured during the robbery.

Police said the man entered the bank, approached a teller and presented a note demanding money. The suspect fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect is described as a black male, 6 feet, 4 inches tall, weighing more than 300 pounds. If you have information about this robbery, contact the Chesterfield County Police Department at 748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 748-0660.

Man dies after erratic behavior

Police continue to investigate the death of Michael W. Vest, 28, of the 10800 block of Bethany Ridge Road. Vest died shortly after he was taken into custody following a series of incidents on Hull Street Road on Sept. 25. Police believe Vest may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Police initially responded to 7-Eleven at 7040 Hull Street Rd. after receiving information that a man entered the store and exhibited signs of erratic behavior. Vest fled the store, ran into the intersection of Hull Street and Turner roads and attempted to get into several vehicles. Police said he then jumped on top of a moving vehicle and was thrown off the vehicle. Vest then entered the Waffle House at 7311 Hull Street Rd., continued his erratic behavior and smashed his body into a glass window before he left the restaurant. Officers arrived at about 4:16 p.m. and found him in the bed of a truck in the parking lot. Vest indicated he needed help and complied with officers' demands. Officers took him into custody and assisted him out of the back of the truck. Vest began to struggle with officers and then collapsed.

Vest was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death will be determined following a forensic exam by the State Medical Examiner's Office.

Gun found at L.C. Bird

A 17-year-old male L.C. Bird High School student was arrested for possession of a weapon on school property after officials recovered a small-caliber handgun from the trunk of his car in the school parking lot shortly after 1 p.m. on Sept. 21

Police said school officials developed information that led to the recovery of the gun. Police and school officials continue to investigate this incident to determine if it is related to three fistfights that resulted in the arrest of six students earlier in the day.

The student was taken to a juvenile detention home to await a hearing in Chesterfield County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.