Over the course of several weeks there have been numerous larcenies from vehicles in Roanoke County and Roanoke City, including more than 40 cases in Roanoke County. Through a joint investigation with Roanoke City, detectives from both departments worked together to follow up on leads which led to a determination that three subjects were involved in several of the Roanoke City cases and close to all of the Roanoke County cases.
The suspects are identified as Michael Furrow, age 39, of Roanoke City; Richard Chambers, age 30, of Roanoke City; and Samantha Simmons, age 26, of Roanoke City. In Roanoke County, Mr. Furrow and Mr. Chambers were each charged with two counts of felony grand larceny, and two counts of misdemeanor tampering with an automobile. Ms. Simmons has been charged with one count of felony grand larceny, one count of misdemeanor obtaining money by false pretenses, and one misdemeanor count of tampering with an automobile.
Additional charges will be forthcoming as both jurisdictions present their cases at a future hearing of their respective grand juries. The investigation into these cases is ongoing and anyone with information should call the Criminal Investigations Division of the Roanoke County Police at (540) 777-8641, the Emergency Communication Center at (540) 562-3265 or the Roanoke Valley Crime Line at (540) 344-8500.