PRESS RELEASE
April 23, 2015
Recently there has been a lot of discussion on social media concerning a subject in a newer model red Dodge Neon in the Moneta area. The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office would like to take a moment to address some of the postings and comments that have been put out by concerned citizens via social media.
The initial information was received by the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office third-hand by a friend of a woman who experienced a disturbing incident where a heavy-set white male in a new model Dodge Neon had made rude and vulgar comments to her as she left the Food Lion Grocery Store at 14807 Moneta Road in Moneta. She then told her friend that the subject appeared to be following her because after she ate at nearby establishment, the same red Neon was parked near where she had parked her vehicle. This incident was not reported to law enforcement at the time of the incident. Once the information was provided to a Bedford County Sheriff’s Office employee, a notice was sent to all deputies to keep an extra eye and conduct additional patrols in this area to attempt to identify this subject. It must be noted that his actions were suspicious in nature, but no criminal offense occurred at that time.
Additionally, the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call Sunday, April 19, 2015 to the Dollar General Store at 14655 Moneta Road concerning a juvenile subject who reported that a subject in a red Dodge Neon had attempted to abduct her. This incident was investigated, including video surveillance from the store, and it was found to be a false report. There was no evidence or information that corroborated the juveniles account, and there was no sighting of the Dodge Neon at this incident.
There have been postings on social media accounts from citizens in the Moneta area discussing additional incidents concerning a person (and this vehicle) over the last several days. One posting identified this subject as a convicted sex offender. At this time, none of these additional incidents has been reported to law enforcement and the subject has not been identified, let alone verified as a sex offender. At this time, there are no outstanding warrants on this individual; however investigators are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the driver of the red Dodge Neon at the Moneta Food Lion.
The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone who is the victim of a crime to call 911. Anyone with information on the identity of this individual is asked to call 540-586-7827 or send information via our anonymous web tip form.
