Three Arrested for Robbery, Holding Mother and Child Hostage
Violent black crime has once again reared its ugly head in Southwest Virginia. Denzel Morgan, 21, and 19-year-old Tyshawn Byrd, both of Asbury Park, N.J. and a local thug, Brandon Velazquez, 20 have been charged with malicious wounding, three counts of kidnapping and one count of breaking and entering. This was related to an attempted robbery in Smyth County, Virginia. Brandon Velazquez it turns out knew the unnamed victims and to quote the press:
"Authorities in Smyth County, VA continue their search for one of three men believed to have taking 2 people hostage at a mobile home near Hungry Mother Park. The Smyth County Sheriff's office is looking for 21-year old Brandon Velazquez, who is accused of holding a woman and her child hostage. The two managed to escape as did another man who deputies say was forced to drive to another location by Velazquez."
"The incident spanned two communities and two trailer parks. Some of the events took place in Marion, where a man was kidnapped at gunpoint and his girlfriend and her baby were held hostage at their residence just outside Hungry Mother State Park..."
My guess is this was drug related, the police claim they really don't know the motive. The mother and child escaped out a back window from Brandon Velazquez who fled the scene and was captured later after an extensive manhunt by multiple law enforcement agencies. All three are being held at the Southwest Virginia Regional jail in Abingdon without bond.
Update Marion, Virginia:
A grand jury has indicted three men on charges related to the Aug. 11 gunpoint-kidnapping of a Smyth County couple and a toddler. Brandon Valazquez, 20, Denzel Morgan, 21, and Tyshawn Byrd, 19, were each indicted late Tuesday on three counts of abduction, and single counts of attempted malicious wounding and statutory burglary...
For the updated story see Bristol Herald Courier.
- Also on Virginia-Local Crime:
- Virginia Crime Stats 2012
- Virginia Crime Stats 2015
- Lakeem Scott and Press Incitement to Murder
