HOPEWELL, VA (WRIC) – On Friday, November 13, 2015 at approximately 8:00 a.m., Hopewell Police Department 911 Center received information from a concerned citizen of a possible explosive device that was to be detonated at the Hopewell Court House. Upon receiving the information, the Hopewell Sheriff’s Office evacuated and closed the courthouse. Assistance from the Petersburg Sheriff’s Office, Hopewell Fire, Hopewell Police and State Police were utilized to search for an explosive device.
After an extensive search, no devices were found. The Hopewell Sheriff’s Office and member of the Hopewell Police Department, Virginia State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are continuing the investigation into the information that the caller provided. The Hopewell Courts building will remain closed until Monday morning, November 16, 2015.
Mr. Robert K. Sheffield, of Hopewell was arrested and charged with ‘Threatening to Bomb a Public Building” After an extensive collaborative investigation we were able to quickly identify and arrest the suspect in this case stated Capt. Greg Taylor.
Any person(s) who have information on this incident are asked to call the Hopewell Police Department at 541-2222 or Hopewell/Prince George Crime Solvers at 541-2202. You can also text-a-tip anonymously. Simply add “274637 (CRIMES)” to your Contacts list on your cellular phone and then text “igotcha” along with your message/tip. You will then be provided an ID number that you will use when checking the status of your tip OR picking up your reward.
Stay with 8News for the latest.
