Press Release – Bedford County Sheriffs Office in Virginia

Searching For Missing Elderly Woman

February 22, 2019

PRESS RELEASE

February 22, 2019

At 1:35 p.m. today, Bedford County 911 received a call reporting Lina Toot, a 83 year old female missing from Toot Boulevard in Moneta. The caller stated that when he arrived at the home the door was standing open. He also said the woman lives alone and she was last seen at 8:00 p.m. last night. She is a white female, 5’ 3”, 113 lbs. and has gray hair.

Bedford County Sheriff’s deputies, a K-9 from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office along with volunteers from Bedford County fire and rescue are on the scene searching at this time.

Anyone with information on her possible whereabouts is asked to call 911 or 586-7827.

Release prepared by Major Ricky Gardner

BCSO Alerted To Gun On School Property

February 7, 2019

PRESS RELEASE
February 6, 2019

This morning, a Bedford County Sheriff’s School Resource Officer received a complaint from an assistant principal at Forest Middle School. The principal advised the SRO that he had received information from a fellow student of a possible gun being on school property. After receiving the information, the principal reported that he checked a locker and found a small caliber hand gun. The gun was secured by the SRO and the student identified. The student was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm on school property. He will be held in the Lynchburg Juvenile Detention Center.

Further information about this incident will not be released due to the age of the parties involved.

Release prepared by Major Ricky Gardner

Update: The handgun found in the student’s locker was loaded.

BCSO Investigates Burglary

February 7, 2019

PRESS RELEASE February 7, 2019

Bedford County Sheriff’s Office investigators are investigating a burglary of Elie’s Market, formally Chamblissburg Supply, located at 10625 Stewartsville Rd. Vinton, Va. The burglary occurred during the early morning hours of Wednesday February 6, 2019.

Anyone with information on this crime, please contact the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office at 540-586-7827 or Central Virginia Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900 or go online to http://cvcrimestoppers.org. Enter your tip online at http://p3tips.com or use the P3TIPS app on your mobile device. Crime Stopper callers remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward up to $1,000.00.

Release prepared by Major Ricky Gardner

Bedford Man Arrested on Charges of Child Pornography

February 6, 2019

February 6th, 2019

The following subject was arrested on February 5th, 2019 in connection with an ongoing Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children investigation.

Bryan Andrew Warner, 40 years of age, of Bedford County VA, was arrested by investigators assigned to the Southern Internet Crimes Against Children’s Task Force. Participating task force agencies included Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Bedford Police and the Lynchburg Police Department. Warner was being held without bond on the following charges:

(1) count of 18.2-374.1:1(C) – Reproduce Child Pornography.
(1) count of 18.2-374.1:1(C) – Reproduce Child Pornography, 2nd or subsequent offense.
(1) Count of 18.2-374.1:1(A) -Possess Child Pornography.
(5) Counts of 18.2-374.1:1(B) – Possess Child Pornography 2nd or subsequent offense.

This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with any information about this case is asked to call The Southern Internet Crimes Against Children’s Task Force at 434-534-9521. There will be no further media releases at this time.

New K-9 Joins BCSO Family

February 1, 2019

PRESS RELEASE
January 30, 2019

The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office is welcoming a new member to the BCSO family. K-9 Dasa is teamed up with Deputy Sonny Daniels. The two completed a six week course of training on January 25, 2019 in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania at Shallow Creek Kennels. She is certified as a dual purpose narcotics/patrol K-9 with the North American Police Work Dog Association. Dasa is a one and half year old German Shepherd and is a native of Czechoslovakia.

Deputy Daniels has been with the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office for eight years. Prior to being selected for the K-9 handler position he served as a corporal in the Field Operation’s Division.

Currently the BCSO has four K-9s. Dasa will be replacing another BCSO K-9 when he retires from service.

Release prepared by Major Ricky Gardner

BCSO Conducts Safety & Security Operation at Jefferson Forest HS

January 25, 2019

PRESS RELEASE
January 25, 2019
(For Immediate Release)

This morning the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office in collaboration with Bedford County School officials conducted a Safety and Security Operation at Jefferson Forest High School. Two Bedford County Sheriff’s K-9 deputies and their partners with the assistance of four other K-9 officers and their partners from surrounding law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation.

These operations serve two purposes. One is to identify contraband on school premises. Secondly, they enhance the working relationship between the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office and Bedford County School officials in the event of an emergency in the schools. The results of the operation were negative.

Release prepared by Major Ricky Gardner

Missing Juvenile

January 23, 2019

Update 10:40a.m.…………………..Bedford County Sheriff’s deputies have located Trevor with the help of calls from citizens

PRESS RELEASE

January 23, 2019

(For Immediate Release)

The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Trevor Ian Chatlos, age 14, who left his home on Ty Bluff Road, Forest this morning. He is 5’8”, 110 lb., blue eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing an orange shirt, black coat, jeans and carrying an old Army backpack containing survival gear. Due to a medical condition he needs to take his medication daily, which he left at his residence.

Anyone with information on Trevor’s whereabouts should call 911 immediately.

Release prepared by Major Ricky Gardner

Vinton Man Arrested In Connection to Ongoing Investigation

January 14, 2019

The following subject was arrested on January 11th, 2019 in connection with an ongoing Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children investigation.

Theodore Moberg, 40 years of age, of Vinton VA, was arrested by Bedford County Sheriff’s Office investigators assigned to the Southern Internet Crimes Against Children’s Task Force with the assistance of the Town of Bedford Police Department on the following charges:

(1) count of 18.2-374.3 – Use of a communication device to facilitate certain offenses involving children.
(1) count of 18.2-370 – Indecent liberties with a minor.

Ongoing Investigation Into Shooting

January 9, 2019

PRESS RELEASE
January 9, 2019

At 12:43 a.m. Tuesday morning Bedford County 911 received a call from Wycliffe Street reporting a shooting. Bedford Police and Bedford County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene. On arrival witnesses advised an 18 year old male had shot himself in the head. The victim was transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital by helicopter, where he later died. The victim is identified as Nicholas Bernard, age 18.

The body will be transported to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Roanoke. The investigation of the shooting is ongoing.

Release prepared by Major Ricky Gardner

Scam Alert!

December 19, 2018

PRESS RELEASE
December 19, 2018

SCAM ALERT

The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous calls from citizens who report they had received a message on their voice mail from a person identifying himself as Deputy Mike Denton with the Bedford County Sheriff Office. He tells them to call 540-707-4070, Ext. 4. When the person calls that number the caller receives an automated voice message stating the caller had reached the Sheriff’s Office. The caller enters ext. 4 and a man answers the phone and identifies himself as Deputy Mike Denton. The man instructs the caller to go and purchase a gift card and give him the number on the card over the phone.

The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office does not employ a Mike Denton. This is a scam!!!!!!

Release prepared by Major Ricky Gardner