SMITHFIELD, Va. — A small town is dealing with some big crime.
Police in Smithfield worked three major incidents to start the month of May: a random road rage shooting, a stabbing with a suspect on the run and an armed robbery that remains unsolved.
Road Rage Shooting Suspect Captured
Video captured on a citizen's dash camera shows the moment a man in the passenger seat of a car opened fire towards the victim.
It happened around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 1 on Route 10.
Lieutenant William Wooley with the Smithfield Police Department called it an unprovoked shooting.
"The victim didn't break check, didn't swerve around, no negative actions that victim did, which is one of things we took so seriously because it truly was a random incident," Lt. Wooley said.
No one was hurt, and no property was damaged.
Thankfully for investigators, the city had just installed Flock cameras two weeks ago.
That technology ultimately helped police to quickly identify the vehicle and put a 'BOLO' out to neighboring cities.
Within 90 minutes, Suffolk Police found the car, initiated a traffic stop, arrested the suspected gunman and eventually found the gun that had been tossed out of the car's window.
Michael Robinson, 39, of Chesapeake was arrested and charged with multiple felony offenses related to the shooting, including attempted malicious wounding.
Armed Robbery Still Unsolved
Later that day, on May 1, those same Smithfield detectives responded to the area of Gumwood Drive for an armed robbery.
A medical worker told police he was robbed at knifepoint.
The victim handed over his money, and the suspect ran towards the nearby Bradford Mews area.
Lt. Wooley said the department is still working to identify the person responsible.
Armed and Dangerous Stabbing Suspect
The next afternoon, on May 2, detectives in Smithfield received another call, this time for a stabbing.
Police found a man on Quail Street suffering from a large knife wound almost 18 inches across his stomach.
Smithfield Police identified the suspect as Tarvarus Kea who remains on the run.
"He is an 11-time convicted felon. We did a search warrant of his residence, and inside his residence we also located ammunition in his room. He is a convicted felon, so we are going to be taking out further charges," Lt. Wooley said.
Kea is currently wanted for aggravated malicious wounding.
The victim has since been discharged from the hospital.
Smithfield Police consider Kea to be armed and dangerous, and they ask anyone with information to contact them at 757-357-3247.
Summertime Crime
The three incidents are a reminder that crime can happen anytime and anywhere.
But Lt. Wooley thinks the warm weather could also be a factor in his department's abnormally busy week.
"We do see an uptick when the weather is nice, that is a normal occurrence not just for Smithfield but for other departments, that when summertime is right around the corner, you see more crime happens," Lt. Wooley said.