Salem manhunt ends with arrest and indictment of 18-year-old

UPDATE 9/20 2:05 P.M. SALEM, Va, ( WFXR ) – The City of Salem has announced the arrest of a man in connection with the crime spree that led to the manhunt on Wednesday, September 18.

“This was a multi-layered case that was solved by hard work, collaboration, and technology,” said Salem Police Chief Derek Weeks . “The men and women at the Salem Police Department stayed on this investigation relentlessly and brought it to a conclusion. I appreciate each one of them and the neighboring jurisdictions that assisted us.”

18-year-old Bradley Poff of Salem has been arrested and indicted by a Grand Jury in Salem for the following charges:

• Robbery in Possession of a Firearm
• Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony
• 2 Counts of Grand Larceny
• Abduction by Force/Intimidation
• Child Neglect
• Eluding Police – Endangerment

City officials said that Poff was identified as a person of interest and taken into custody at a home on Maple Street on Thursday, September 19. He was held on an unrelated probation violation and then charged with the seven counts within 48 hours.

According to city officials, during the events on Wednesday, Poff completely disguised his head and face with garments and a mask, making it almost impossible to compose an accurate description to assist with his capture.

“We understand there was some frustration in the media and in some circles of the public that a description of the suspect was not immediately given,” said Chief Weeks. “However, the last thing you want to do is provide information that is not only misleading but also incorrect. It was a very unusual set of circumstances.”

Poff is currently being held in Salem-Roanoke County jail without bond.

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UPDATE 9/19 4:40 P.M. SALEM, Va. ( WFXR ) – The City of Salem says there have been no arrests made and no new information learned in the ongoing search for the man who was the focus of a manhunt on September 18.

In a statement released by the city, WFXR News was told the investigation is still “incredibly active” and Salem Police have been working “non-stop” to local the missing suspect.

A description of the suspect has currently not been released to the public; however, Salem schools did operate on their normal schedules for both arrival and departure on Thursday, September 19.

Salem officials are asking for continued patients as they progress with their investigation.

Check back with WFXR News for more updates in the future.

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UPDATE 9/18 4:40 P.M. SALEM, Va. ( WFXR ) – The Salem Police Department has released more details and a timeline regarding the ongoing manhunt for a man who allegedly stole a car with a child inside on the morning of September 18.

Salem PD says the incident began around 7:27 a.m. on Wednesday when reports of a stolen car from the Riverland Mobile Home Park were received. The suspect then allegedly committed several crimes, including robbery, and attempted robbery, before stealing a second car with a young child inside.

(Photo Credit: Jemon Haskins)

The child was found safe in a parking lot on Intervale Drive around 10:24 a.m.

No injuries have currently been reported.

Full Timeline of Events

• 7:27 a.m. – Salem Police received reports of a stolen car at the Riverland Mobile Home Park on W. Riverside Dr.
• 8:00 a.m. – It is believed the suspect drove the car to the Cave Spring area of Roanoke County and robbed a high school student before returning to Salem.
• 8:44 a.m. – Salem Police received a 911 call of an attempted robbery in a parking lot in the 1800 block of Braeburn Dr. The suspect attempted to steal a female’s purse.
• 8:58 a.m. – The suspect abandoned the stolen car in a retail parking lot in the 1800 block of Electric Rd. and stole another vehicle. The newly stolen car also had a young child inside of it.
• Soon after exiting the lot, the child was abandoned and left alone just over a mile away on Intervale Drive.
• Minutes later, Salem Police engaged the suspect in a pursuit that culminated back in the vicinity of the mobile park where the original car was stolen. The suspect fled the vehicle along West Riverside Dr. and ran into a heavily wooded area on foot.
• 9:30 a.m. – All Salem City Schools were placed in “secure” mode as a cautionary measure.
• 10:24 a.m. – The abandoned child was found safe on Intervale Drive, reunited with his mother, and taken to LewisGale Medical Center where he was evaluated.
• 1:12 p.m. – All Salem City Schools except South Salem Elementary are taken off “secure” mode to allow for end-of-the-day dismissal at their normal times. Additional police are placed at South Salem to assist in dismissal.
• All Salem schools were dismissed, and students were returned home without incident by 4 p.m.

Police say the search is active and ongoing and the suspect is currently still missing. If you have any information related to the suspect, please contact the Salem Police Department at 540-375-3078. A special thanks to fellow officers from Roanoke County, Roanoke City, and the Virginia State Police for their assistance in the search.

WFXR News will continue to update you with more information as it becomes available.

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SALEM, Va. ( WFXR ) – A manhunt is underway by law enforcement agencies in the Salem area for a man who allegedly stole a car with a child inside on the morning of September 18.

State Troopers are currently located along the Greenway in Salem and VSP as the search continues for a man near the Riverland Mobile Home Park area who allegedly stole a vehicle with a child inside. Police say the child has been recovered safely.

VSP confirms drones have been deployed west of the Trussmark Airport.

(Photo Credit: Dustin Hennessey)

The incident also caused local schools in Salem to be placed into a “secure mode” early this morning while police were in the area.

“Out of an abundance of caution for our students and staff, all Salem City Schools have been placed in secure mode since approximately 9:30 a.m. this morning. This was necessary due to the pursuit of a suspect who committed a crime earlier this morning in Roanoke County. Currently, Salem City Police and Roanoke County Police are looking for the suspect in Salem. Our schools will remain in secure mode until law enforcement and our resource officers advise us the conditions are safe.” – Mike Stevens, Communications Director for Salem City Schools

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