Home Invasion Suspect Caught

So, after I sent the message below last night, I received the welcome news from a neighbor that one of the suspects was caught. Marty and Mark spotted a person who matched one of Kenneth’s descriptions and ran him down to Cherry St. Along with another Cherry St. homeowner, they were were able to keep him cornered long enough until the police could arrive. He was picked up in the cemetery (he had gone through a hole in the cemetery fence). He apparently pulled a knife on Marty.

This is not the first time that Marty has confronted dangerous criminals in the neighborhood (the dude is like Batman in a pickup truck).

Still have heard nada from the police.

Thanks,
Scott

On Jul 24, 2008, at 10:49 PM, Scott Burger wrote:

I spoke with Kenneth this morning and was glad he seemed ok. It was definitely more than “theft from residence”. I have left messages for police I spoke to yesterday, but no response.

Kenneth said it was two or three white men who came into his house. There is some talk that they are from one of the western hobo encampments on the riverfront.

If the event does not upgraded to a robbery, I will be doing more to get media involved.

Thanks,
Scott

On Jul 23, 2008, at 11:26 PM, Scott Burger wrote:

I am still following up on this. The police classified the incident as ‘theft from residence’ and I shared my concerns that they were downplaying the crime. I am hoping to hear more soon.

Thanks,
Scott

On Jul 23, 2008, at 7:54 AM, Scott Burger wrote:

I heard second hand about a robbery/home invasion on the 600 block of
S. Pine St that took place Sunday night.

I am trying to get the details of the case from the victim or the
police but have been unsuccessful so far.

This is a pretty serious matter and I am more than concerned that we
have not heard anything in the news or from the police about this.

Please feel free to call me if you know something. If I don’t hear
back from the police soon I will be contacting the media.
I am wondering if our fears of possible under-reporting of crime by
the police is something that bears more investigation.

Thanks,
Scott

Does UofR care more about the environment than VCU?

Seems like it.

At University of Richmond, President Edward L. Ayers signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. Contrast that with this from VCU’s Commonwealth Times: VCU receives ‘D-‘ for energy efficiency – Sustainable practices barely passing at VCU. One of the planned buildings that Ohlinger alludes to in the CT article is the proposed rec center.

AARB Rubberstamps VCU Plans

The Commonwealth of Virginia Art and Architectectural Review Board met yesterday and approved VCU’s plans for demolishing the historic stables. VCU adjunct faculty member McDowell made the motion to demolish 917 Green Alley.

Not one member bothered to respond when an Oregon Hill neighborhood representative questioned how the a 270′ façade on Cherry Street can be compatible with the scale and massing of the small 20′ structures in the historic district, or why VCU did not consider the vacant parking lots on Broad and Grace as alternative sites.

More student party complaints

This from a neighbor on Cherry Street:

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Quite a doozie- I arrived home at 1:30 AM to see an RPD Paddy
wagon and patrol car stationed in front of a house on the 200 block
of Cherry (maybe 2 or 3 houses from Idlewood) with lights going and
kids and trash everywhere. I had to park a block or so away and when
I got out of the car, you could hear the roar of 300 to 400 partying
college students swarmed in the backyard of the house, screaming at
the top of their lungs. Bikes and cars parked everywhere and kids
wandering the streets with open containers of beer looking for a
place to pee.

I sat on my front porch in amazement as the police
left and more and more kids with more and more beer arrived and the
NOISE GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER! At 2AM, the RPD returned- this time 5
patrol cars and a paddy wagon with lights blazing. They entered the
backyard on foot with flashlights to disperse the crowd and swarms of
kids swelled into the streets. It took the officers maybe 25 minutes
to walk the streets sending the 300 or 400 partiers on their way as
the streets were choked with alcohol impaired children, most on foot
or on bike and all loud. All finally calmed down but after a half
hour or so the dull roar started back up although I finally made it
to sleep.

200 and 300 blocks Cherry used to be among the most peaceful on the
Hill with the proximity to Hollywood Cemetery. This garbage has got
to stop.

140 South Cherry Street

140.jpg

This wonderful photo is from a relation of W. R. Fensom, who built the livery stable at 917 Green Alley. The photo shows Fensom’s mother seated in the vehicle, which is in front of 140 S. Cherry (now demolished at the corner of Cumberland and Cherry). Fensom’s plumbing business was to the rear of this building.

The man in the middle with the hat on is Ashby D. Fensom Sr. I think the older woman sitting in the car is Mrs. Emma Arline Rowe Fensom White. She is the mother of William Rowe Fensom and Ashby D. Fensom Sr.

VCU party house problem on Cherry St.

There was a large VCU party on the 300 block of Cherry St. this past weekend, causing complaints of fighting, public urination, public drunkedness, and noise disturbances.

Police were called and there was a report of at least one arrest. VCU officials have been notified and the matter is likely to receive attention at the next meeting of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association this coming Tuesday night.