Virginia
Virginia man allegedly attempted to brazenly shoplift from Walmart during holiday ‘Shop with a Cop’ event
If only this real-life Grinch’s brain could grow three sizes.
A Virginia man was arrested after allegedly trying to steal more than $1,000 worth of items from a Walmart — right in front of dozens of cops who were at the store for a holiday event.
A Chesterfield County Walmart was hosting its annual “Shop with a Cop” event where local police partnered with impoverished children to help them pick out gifts for the holidays on Sunday when the would-be bandit struck.
Nearly 50 police officers and sheriff’s deputies were all around the store at the time of the attempted theft, Chesterfield County Police Lt. James Lamb told CBS 6.
merchandise. Chesterfield County Police
But the overwhelming presence of law enforcement didn’t deter 32-year-old Hector Velazquez Maldonado from trying to make off with nearly $1,400 of merchandise, according to police.
Security footage showed Maldonado trying to hide bulks of items on his person as he attempted to leave the store, according to police.
The officers were notified of a shoplifting in process at the very store they were all stationed at and began scouring the floor for the suspect who they quickly found.
“As we approached from different directions, he tried to escape out the back of the store where he was apprehended. I think he was stunned,” Lamb told CBS6.
event. Chesterfield County Police
Officers were dumbfounded that Maldonado had tried to commit the crime even with the clear police presence all around the area.
“We had 30-40 marked patrol cars in the parking lot. When we found his vehicle, it was facing where our cars were parked, so he would have had to see them. It seems it just didn’t matter to him,” Lamb told the station.
Maldonado is a repeat shoplifting offender and had an active warrant out for his arrest for a failure to appear in court along with several open larceny cases in Chesterfield County, officials said.
On top of his open cases, he is now facing a felony charge of grand larceny for his squandered holiday heist, CBS6 reported.
Virginia
Netflix casting Central Virginia singles for “Love on the Spectrum” after Danville man joins show
DANVILLE, Va. (WSET) — Netflix is searching for singles in Central Virginia to appear on its documentary-style dating series “Love on the Spectrum,” after a Danville man was cast for an upcoming season and producers are now looking to find his match.
The series follows adults on the autism spectrum as they navigate dating.
Monica Karavanic, executive director of The Arc of Southside in Danville, said the person cast has ties to her organization.
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“This show has been loved by millions internationally and so for it to come to Danville is pretty awesome and we’re just really excited and hoping to make it work,” Karavanic said.
Casting is focused on singles ages 25 to 40, of any gender, who live near Danville or Lynchburg and would be interested in going on a date with a man on the spectrum. Producers say the time commitment could be as little as half a day.
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For more information on how to apply, you’re asked to email: production@northernpictures.com.au
Virginia
Dry and seasonal weather expected in Virginia through the weekend
RICHMOND, Va. — Friday will be sunny and seasonably warm, with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s.
The pattern of cool nights and mild afternoons will continue through the weekend and through much of next week as upper-level flow continues to bring reinforcing mild and dry air out of eastern Canada.
Rain chances will be very limited over the next week, with only a slim chance with a frontal passage on Monday.
Stay With CBS 6, The Weather Authority.
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Virginia
107-year-old Virginia woman credits faith, family after escaping fire that destroyed home
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — Ressie Keen, a 107-year-old Pittsylvania County woman, is safe after escaping a house fire that destroyed her more than 100-year-old home, leaving behind a yard filled with charred debris and scattered belongings.
Keen said she has no special secret to her longevity.
“I ain’t got no secret, just thanking the Lord to let me stay here to see 107,” she said.
Keen said she moved to the home decades ago and built a life there.
“I’ve moved there in 1969, our first crop was made in 1970, and I been living there ever since,” she said.
The fire broke out in Keen’s bedroom on Thursday afternoon. Keen said she and her sitter got out as the fire grew.
“I don’t know what happened, only thing I knew to do was to get out of there. So me and my sitter we got out. She tried to put it out but she couldn’t,” Keen said.
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Pittsylvania County Fire Marshal Scott Hutcherson said investigators believe the fire started with an electrical issue.
“We think we had an electric outlet failure, more or less; an adaptor on the outlet probably failed,” Hutcherson said. He said the fire spread quickly once it ignited nearby items. “It set the bed on fire and the clothes that was on top of it, the material on top of it, what’s pretty much what got the fire going. And then it easily spread to the second story.”
Keen’s son, Ronnie Keen, said the loss has been painful for the family.
“It was devastating real devastating, lot of memories lost. But I know those memories and emotions the things that were sentimental were still right here,” he said.
A family photo album was among the few items recovered. Pointing to one image, Ronnie Keen said, “That’s a picture of the house.”
He added that the album was badly damaged. “It’s so charred it’s kinda hard to open,” he said.
Keen also held onto her favorite cast-iron pan.
“I knew this wasn’t going to get burnt up,” she said.
The home was considered a total loss, but the family said the most important thing is that Ressie Keen survived. She is now living with her son.
“I’m overjoyed that she’s here with us and she’s safe,” Ronnie Keen said.
Hutcherson said to prevent this, make sure that there is a smoke alarm in your home. He says you can reach out to the Pittsylvania County Public Safety office for a free installation of a smoke alarm.
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