Mystery: Sheriff's Office Hasn't Left Crime Scene Since Saturday
Neighbors say law enforcement brought back hoe to 881 Belle Plains Rd.
Photos
Update: Sheriff's Office Confirms Arrest, Ongoing Investigation
Update: Drug Search Confirmed, FBI Makes Statement
Original Report: Residents of the White Oaks neighborhood report a heavy presence of law enforcement at a 881 Belle Plains Road home in Fredericksburg over the weekend into Monday.
A Fredericksburg Patch reader noted on Facebook that there was "major police activity" on Belle Plains Road on Saturday, March 16. "But we have heard no news on what was going on," she said. "We in White Oak would love to know."
Neighbors say law enforcement presence has continued all weekend. "On Saturday I saw Stafford County Sheriff's Office cars and a crime scene RV, and FBI vehicles lining the driveway and road," said a neighbor who spoke with Patch but asked not to be named. She said she also saw search dogs and a back hoe brought to the scene. "They were there again on Sunday," she said.
Residents of the area have been gathering at a neighbor's house next to the crime scene to watch the comings and goings of law enforcement.
The home at the address is on 3.48 acres, according to realtor.com. The house is not visible from the road.
A Stafford County Sheriff's deputy has been stationed in a patrol car at the head of the driveway, guarding the entrance since Friday. On Monday afternoon the deputy told Patch he could not provide any information.
Patch was referred to Maj. David Decatur in the Stafford Sheriff's Office for information, and is awaiting his response.
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Jermaine
7:15 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
I'm intrigued as to what's going on over there.
Alicia Angstadt
8:42 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Thanks for posting this. Finally a report on something. The FreeSlant Star never has a clue....
Greg
8:48 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
There is a reason they are there, let them do there job obviously there is an investigation going on and they can not disclose what is going on.
Rich Mason
12:42 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Curious to know why it's referred to as a "crime scene" if you don't know what the situation is.
Pennie Welcher Rhodes
1:20 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
If the FBI is present, along with local law enforcement, and they have been for multiple days, 24/7, it is not irresponsible or inflammatory to use the term "crime scene". These agencies would not be there otherwise, What do you think they are doing? Gardening? Construction? Anything other than a crime or suspected crime would be a waste of local and federal tax payer's money.
Rich Mason
1:40 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
A suspected crime wouldn't make it a crime scene. Words are important, especially in journalism.
Rich Mason
2:19 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
The FLS reports there is a search for a body, but no body has been found.
Greg Hambrick
2:22 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Update: Drug search confirmed, details still a mystery. FBI gives statement. http://fredericksburg.patch.com/articles/mystery-drugs-search-confirmed-at-belle-plains-home
Pennie Welcher Rhodes
2:56 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
@ Rich Mason
It was already a "crime scene" before the FBI and DEA showed up. A warrant was served, a search was conducted and a man with 7 prior drug convictions in Stafford County was arrested and is presently incarcerated at Rapp Regional Jail.
"A resident there, 58-year-old Dennis Paul Benzie, was arrested on multiple charges following the raid and is being held in the Rappahannock Regional Jail under no bond."
"Court records show seven charges of distributing methamphetamines that stemmed from alleged incidents that occurred between June 14, 2010 and March 25, 2011. All but one of the seven cases occurred in 2010."
"Benzie was also charged with five new offenses following the raid, Decatur said. Those charges include, possession of methamphetamines, possession of a firearm while in possession of illegal drugs, possessing a firearm as a felon and possession of marijuana.
Decatur said police began searching and digging based on information gathered by detectives during the raid."
In other words, its been a crime scene since Saturday when the raid took place and the suspect was arrested on those premises.
Rich Mason
3:06 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
And you knew it was a crime scene? Or it seemed evident that it was a crime scene? The report of the arrest didn't come out until after this headline was used.
Susan Larson
3:26 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Rich: The sheriff's deputy I spoke with on Monday confirmed it was a crime scene ... before I wrote the story.
Rich Mason
3:30 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
OK, then why wasn't that in the story?
Pennie Welcher Rhodes
3:56 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
@Susan--Im done commenting on this thread. I see no benefit in continuing to do so when the original question asked has been thoroughly answered, even if the answer doesn't satisfy the original inquirer. Thank you, Susan, for clarifying and for continuing to persue the story until it was acknowledged properly by the authorities.
Susan Larson
4:46 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
@Pennie: Thank you, Pennie. I have another update coming shortly. I'm only reporting on details I've confirmed, not all the rumors and speculations flying around.
Rich Mason
7:16 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
http://www.uncp.edu/home/acurtis/Courses/ResourcesForCourses/WritingHeadlines.html