Transcript Violent Crime Spree in Leesburg- July 10, 2009 LPD Response

Violent Crime Spree in
Leesburg- July 10, 2009
LPD Response
First CallRobbery
Other Kind of Jewelry Store
• 1127 hrs– Lone suspect enters the Other
Kind of Jewelry store
• Proprietor runs out of store thwarting the
robbery
• Suspect fires one gunshot while fleeing
First patrol unit on scene within 1 minute of dispatch
Observes suspect running through Dodona Manor
Initiates foot pursuit
Other units converge on area and establish perimeter
Suspect attempts to flee the perimeter;
encounters citizens near Dodona Manor;
fires additional shot; flees across Market St
Near East Y and into Trailer Park
LPD establishes Perimeter around Trailer Park
Area
Requests canine units; Fairfax Helicopter
Assistance from Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office,
Virginia State Police
1235 receive a call of suspect matching description vicinity of Wal-Mart;
perimeter held additional units/ helicopter sent to check
1255 call from Royal St suspect holding family hostage- units on scene within
30 seconds house cleared suspect fled in family's gold jeep
1331 - Suspect Vehicle gold jeep found abandoned off Davis Ave
While en-route to location of abandon jeep receive call at 1334 from
700 blk Valley
Armed suspect in the home; husband and wife locked in bathroom
LPD arrives on scene 1336; suspect fires shot at officers
Incident Command Established
LPD, LCSO, VSP SWAT teams requested
LPD Begins negotiations
Valley View Negotiations
• Residents in surrounding homes evacuated ; those away from home
were not allowed back in
– About 50 people displaced; temporary shelter established
– Residents allowed back in by about 10PM
• Suspect Very Agitated / Unpredictable
• Long hours of establishing rapport
• Victims did a fantastic job of humanizing the event / establishing
rapport with hostage taker
• 2100 hrs Female hostage released
• 2145 suspect agrees to surrender
• 2150 execute plan using VSP Armored Vehicle to safely take
suspect in custody
• 2150 Male hostage removed from home for medical treatment
Agencies Supporting Leesburg
Police
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Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office
Virgina State Police
Fairfax County Police
Leesburg Police Citizens Support Team
US Customs
Loudoun County Mental Health
Loudoun County Fire & Rescue & OEM
Red Cross
Loudoun County Public Schools
Investigation
• William Spencer, 49
– Baltimore Md
– Extensive Criminal
record
• Second suspect
arrested Monday
morning
– Donald L. Blount, 44,
of Leesburg, VA
• Investigation
continues
Tactical Operation- After Action
• Will do a complete debrief for all involved
• Identify and implement procedural/ training
enhancements needed
• Arranged for Crisis Support for victims from
Loudoun County Mental Health
• Identified equipment short falls
– List supplied to Town Manager for Action
• Established Core Business Officer (CBO)
Program to enhance sense of security in
downtown/core business/retail areas
Core Business Officer Program
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Deployment of officers into Core business areas of
community
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Focus will be on visible patrol in core business areas
Deployment schedules during primary business/retail hours
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Initial plan- 90 day special overtime fund/detail $50,000
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Mon-Fri – 10 AM -10PM
80hrs per week for 12 weeks
This component focuses in the downtown and Catoctin Circle
business areas
Long Term Plan
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Emergency Hire of 2 additional officers by Nov 1
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Est. cost – 2 officers + equipment + 1 police car = $180,000
Primary Focus Area for CBO
Sector 4 Call Distribution
CBO Program
Community Take Aways
• Leesburg is vulnerable to Violent Crime
– Chief’s Briefing to Council Oct 2008
• Leesburg Police and its partners are
trained and capable of dealing with critical
incidents to secure our community
• Vigilance, awareness and community
involvement are our best defenses against
crime