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Thieves steal $15,000 in items from school bus maintenance building

Portsmouth, Va. – Police are hoping you can help them find out who stole $15,000 worth of items from Vector Fleet Services, the Portsmouth Public Schools Maintenance Building on Burton’s Road.

The thieves stole tools, computer equipment and a safe from the building on Monday after closing. Workers secured the building at 6:15 p.m.

Police say they received a call about the burglary at around 5:51 a.m. on Tuesday. A worker opened the building and realized items were missing.

If you know anything that can help police find out who is responsible for this, call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.

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Crews to install traffic loop sensors on I-264

Portsmouth, Va. – Elizabeth River Tunnels work crews will install traffic loop sensors on Interstate 264 beginning Friday, May 17, 2013.

Traffic loop sensors will be placed in travel lanes on I-264 east. The schedule for installation is as follows:

Starting Friday, May 17, at 9 p.m. through Monday May 20, at 5 a.m., motorists on I-264 east, approaching the Downtown Tunnel from Portsmouth, will merge into one lane at the Effingham Street ramp for approximately 150 yards to safely clear the work zone. All lanes of the Downtown Tunnel will remain open.

To avoid possible delays of 30 minutes or more during this time period, motorists should use the US Route 58 Midtown Tunnel or I-64 High Rise Bridge as alternate routes. If motorists choose to travel I-264 east during this time, they are strongly encouraged to consider traveling outside of the below-listed travel times*, when traffic volumes are highest:

• Saturday, May 18 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Wilson High School Principal voted ‘Principal of the Year’

Portsmouth, Va. – Tonight the spotlight was back on a local principal we celebrated in one of our People Taking Action stories.

Back in January, we surprised Portsmouth’s Wilson High Principal Timothy Johnson with a People Taking Action Award.

He was nominated by two students he had been mentoring, who say Johnson made a huge impact on them.

Tonight, he was recognized as “Principal of the Year by the Portsmouth PTA Council, which cited Johnson for being an extraordinary role model for his students.

Man wanted in Portsmouth for indecent liberties with a child

Portsmouth, Va.- 63-year-old Ronnie Foreman is wanted for unthinkable crimes against children in Portsmouth.

Foreman is charged with three counts of aggravated sexual battery and three counts of indecent liberties with a child.

Between February and March, Portsmouth police say he molested three girls ages 6,7, and 12.

“He had befriended their parents and encouraged the parents to let him babysit while they were at work,” says Det. Jan Clark with the Portsmouth Police Department.

What the family didn’t know was Foreman was already on the sex offender registry.

He was convicted of aggravated sexual battery in 1990 in Norfolk.

Now he’s also wanted by State Police for not complying with the registry.

“He knows what he’s supposed to be doing as far as registering as an offender.  He’s not doing that. We need to get in contact with him immediately and we need the public’s assistance,” says Clark.

Teen shot to death in Portsmouth

Portsmouth, Va. – A 60-year-old Portsmouth man is now facing murder charges in the shooting death of a family member, police tell NewsChannel 3.

On May 12, 2013 at approximately 11:20 p.m., Portsmouth police received 911 calls related to gunshots in the area of the 3700 block of Magnolia Drive. Additional calls were received related to a person being shot.

Officers arrived on scene, and found a man in the front yard, who was later taken into custody. He is identified as 60-year-old Dennis Laverne Smith.

Police say a second male, identified as 19-year-old Michael Devante Smith, was found on the rear steps of the home, unresponsive, and suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:54 a.m.

Police say the victim was the nephew of Dennis Smith. Both the victim and the suspect lived at the home.

Families hold vigil for two men killed in Portsmouth

Portsmouth, Va. – Two families are forever linked by a violent shooting.

They met once again to remember their two sons.

In April of 2009, two men, Demetrious Edens and Darren Wilson were shot and killed by Portsmouth police officers.

Those two families held a vigil just like they’ve done for the past 3 years.

In 2009, Edens and Wilson were shot and killed in Chesapeake by Portsmouth officers during a drug bust.

The police involved were cleared of any charges.

That never sat well with the families so they say they’re continuing to speak up.

Tonight’s vigil was held at the same place where the two men died.

Asphalt repairs for Hampton Boulevard ramp to Brambleton Avenue East

Portsmouth, Va. – Elizabeth River Tunnels work crews will close the Hampton Boulevard ramp to Brambleton Avenue east Saturday, May 11, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for asphalt repairs.

A signed detour will be in place, utilizing Redgate and Claremont avenues. The City of Norfolk will lift truck restrictions to Redgate and Colley avenues to allow heavy vehicles to use the route during the ramp closure.

Motorists should stay alert through the work zone and expect minor delays.