UPDATE
A man has been arrested in connection to an attempted burglary at a hemp farm in Montgomery County.
Recommended Videos
Justin Murphy, 29, was arrested at 3 a.m. on Thursday in Radford, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said Murphy has been charged with breaking and entering, three counts of grand larceny and possession of a firearm by a felon. He is being held without bail in the Montgomery County Jail.
Deputies responded to a burglar alarm at Tru Harvest Farms in Christiansburg just after 1 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. This is the same farm that had $250,000 worth of hemp stolen last month.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, authorities believe Murphy is linked to larcenies at TruHarvest in the past but the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with more information is asked to call Lt. Light at 540-382-6915 ext. 44422.
UPDATE
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is still working to locate a man in connection to an attempted burglary at a local hemp farm. Now, authorities claim he is armed and dangerous.
29-year-old Justin Scott Murphy was identified by authorities as the suspect in this case.
The Sheriff’s Office describes him as 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs about 230 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
According to authorities, Murphy holds five felony warrants for his arrest.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 540-382-6915.
ORIGINAL STORY
Authorities are searching for a man they say was caught in the act of an attempted burglary at a hemp farm in Montgomery County.
Deputies responded to a burglar alarm at Tru Harvest Farms in Christiansburg just after 1 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. This is the same farm that had $250,000 worth of hemp stolen last month.
Authorities said deputies arrived at the farm quickly enough to stop the burglary before anything was stolen. As more law enforcement arrived and a perimeter was set up, deputies said they found a vehicle they believe belongs to the suspect.
Deputies then saw a person fleeing the scene in a side-by-side UTV and when he noticed authorities, they said he abandoned the UTV and ran away. According to the Sheriff’s Office, it was later discovered that the UTV was stolen.
As of 8:40 a.m., authorities said they have not found the suspect. Deputies said the suspect might be wearing a red hoodie, gray pants and white shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to call Investigations Lt. Light at 540-382-6915 ext. 44422.