MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. – UPDATE - Aug. 30, 2022 at 5:13 p.m.
A man who has been wanted for 20 days by Craig and Montgomery County authorities has been taken into custody, according to the Dublin Police Department.
On Tuesday, a person who lives in Dublin contacted police and said that based on photos from local news, he saw someone that appeared to be Shawn Tolbert, a wanted fugitive.
A Dublin officer in an unmarked vehicle had a second sighting of this person. Local agencies including the U.S. Marshals Service, Pulaksi County Sheriff’s office, Virginia State Police and the Virginia Conservation Police all deployed to where the wanted person was staying, which was a bus in a back yard.
State police deployed a tactical team and safely took him into custody.
Authorities said further details are pending due to the ongoing investigation.
Stick with 10 News as this breaking news story develops.
UPDATE - Aug. 20, 2022 at 9:47 a.m.
Craig County Sheriff Trevor Craddock confirms that two deputies and a canine were involved in an incident involving Tolbert. Investigators did not say when incident took place; The sheriff said the canine was taken to the vet with a severe injury and later died. The incident is still under investigation.
UPDATE - Aug. 19, 2022 at 10:30 p.m.
More information has been released about the search for a wanted man in the Montgomery County and Giles County areas.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said they have received no reported sightings of the man since Friday morning in the Brush Mountain area, but will keep police in the area throughout the night.
On Friday evening, the Craig County Sheriff’s Office said that the suspect, who they say to be Shawn Tolbert, was last seen in the area of Pandapas Pond Road and Fortress, and the Giles County line. They did not specify a time at which the man was seen.
Tolbert is accused of attempting to break into a Montgomery County home on Thursday night, and was said to be involved in a police chase that began in Botetourt County and ended in a crash in Craig County, according to police.
Local law enforcement has received several reports of the suspect’s location over the last few days.
People in the area are being reminded to remain vigilant and to keep doors and vehicles locked.
The last description authorities gave of the man they saw Thursday night was a man wearing blue jeans, black shoes, long sleeve purple shirt, with blonde hair pulled into a ponytail.
Anyone who may see an individual matching his description to please call 911.
For all other non‐emergency tips, please call 540-382‐4343
UPDATE - Aug. 19, 2022 at 6:40 p.m.
10 News is learning more about the search for a wanted man who is accused of attempting to break into a home in Montgomery County.
The break-in happened Thursday night in the Brush Mountain Estates area of Montgomery County.
Authorities believe the suspect may be 42-year-old Shawn Tolbert, who was said to be involved in a police chase that began in Botetourt County and ended in a crash in Craig County, according to Virginia State Police.
We’re told photos from the home are what led authorities to believe Tolbert was involved in the break-in.
Authorities say they’ve received several possible sighting reports that are mostly in and around the Brush Mountain area/north end of Blacksburg.
It’s unclear at this time whether Tolbert is armed, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies say there will be a heavy police presence in and around the area until Tolbert is found.
He is still believed to be wearing blue jeans, black shoes, long sleeve purple shirt, with blonde hair pulled into a ponytail.
People who live in the area said there was a large law enforcement presence Thursday night.
“Yesterday evening is when there was a large police force from my house,” Cody Swilley who lives along 460 in Montgomery County said. “Figured it was probably the safest place to be at that moment – it wasn’t – I mean I didn’t get really too excited about it.”
Anyone who may see an individual matching his description to please call 911.
For all other non‐emergency tips, please call 540-382‐4343
UPDATE - Aug. 19, 2022 8:31 a.m.
Multiple agencies are continuing to search for the breaking and entering suspect mentioned in our original reporting, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities say the suspect may be Shawn Tolbert, who police initially said was armed and dangerous.
Officers are currently searching in and around the Brush Mountain Area after possible sightings and information by residents in the area.
The sheriff’s office reminded residents in the area to remain vigilant throughout the day and to call 911 if they see someone that matches the description.
You’re asked to call 540-382-4343 with non-emergency tips.
UPDATE 11:20 p.m.:
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said that they are still searching for the man who attempted to break into a home in the Brush Mountain area on Thursday.
Authorities said that they believe the man spotted to be Shawn Tolbert, 42, who they have been looking for after a Botetourt County police chase that lead to a Craig County crash.
There will continue to be a heavy police presence in the Brush Mountain area as the investigation continues overnight, according to authorities.
The sheriff’s office reminded residents in the area to remain vigilant throughout the night and to call 911 if they see someone that matches the description.
You’re asked to call (540)382-4343 with non-emergency tips.
UPDATE 8:07 p.m.:
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said that they, along with multiple other agencies are currently searching for a man who attempted to break into a home in the Brush Mountain area.
Authorities said they believe that man to be Shawn Tolbert, 42, who they have been looking for after a Botetourt County police chase that lead to a Craig County crash.
The man seen was described to have on blue jeans, black shoes, possibly a purple shirt, with blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail, the sheriff’s office said.
Residents in the Brush Mountain area will see a heavy police presence as the search continues, authorities said, and they are advising people in the area to call 911 if they observe someone matching the given description. You can call 5403824343 with non-emergency tips.
The map below gives the general area where 10 News was reporting live near the police activity.
10 News’ Connor Dietrich reported live from the scene near the police activity, and you can see that approximate location from the live feed below.
Stay with 10 News as this breaking news story develops.
ORIGINAL STORY:
A person police have been searching for out of Giles County has possibly been sighted in the Newport area, the Giles County Sheriff’s Office said.
There was a heavy police presence near the Newport Rescue Squad due to the possible sighting, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities did not confirm who the possible sighting was of.
Earlier this week, a man believed to be armed and dangerous was possibly sighted in the Newport area, authorities said in previous reports.
In earlier reports, authorities said there was a reported sighting of Shawn Tolbert, 42, the man they say they have been looking for after a Botetourt County police chase that lead to a Craig County crash.
Stay with 10 News as this breaking news story develops.
