The Caroline Sheriff’s Office says early Monday–at 3:10am–the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a citizen in the Milford area reporting that he was supposed to be meeting a potential customer of his videography business, but instead was robbed at gunpoint by masked men. The victim described being held at gunpoint while masked men searched his pockets and his vehicle. A handgun that was stored in the victim’s vehicle and a video camera were reported as stolen.
The victim said the masked men then fled in a gray Chevrolet Camaro. The Sheriff’s Office says deputies and investigators responded to the scene and began the process of collecting evidence. Investigative efforts continued through the night, which resulted in the development of suspects.
By noon Monday, less than 9 hours after the 911 call reporting this incident, investigators obtained a search warrant for a residence on Hewlett Road in Ruther Glen, and an arrest warrant for the arrest of 23 year-old Trevon Nibblins of D.C. As members of the CCSO Special
Emergency Response Team were responding to the home on Hewlett Road, investigators conducting surveillance of the residence reported that the suspects were leaving the home in a Ford Mustang.
Investigators, deputies, and Sheriff Moser then attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the Ford Mustang in the area of Ruther Glen Road and Carmel Church Loop. The mustang quickly accelerated away from Sheriff Moser, resulting in a pursuit that reached speeds of over 100
m.p.h. and ended when the suspect lost control of the Ford Mustang at the intersection of Signboard Road and Concord Road and slid off the roadway.
The Sheriff’s Office says three male passengers then ran from the vehicle, while the driver stayed. Deputies, investigators, and Sheriff Moser then chased the suspects on foot and caught two of the three a short distance away from the mustang. Sheriff Moser caught and arrested 18 year-old Franklin Harris, of Ruther Glen, found to be possessing a firearm at the time of his arrest. Lt. Ben Sadler caught and arrested Trevon Nibblins, and the driver of the vehicle that remained in the car and was taken into custody was identified as 20 year-old Kavon Johnson, of Ruther Glen. The third suspect remained at large in the wooded area between Signboard Road and Route 30, and a request for additional assistance was made to the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police. An intense search of the area was conducted by air, and by ground with search teams and K-9s. Approximately 2 hours into the search, the last suspect, 20 year-old Dondre Courtney of Ruther Glen, was taken into custody. The firearm reported stolen by the victim of the previous night’s robbery was found lying near the Ford Mustang and a later search of the residence on Hewlett Road resulted in locating the victim’s camera. All four suspects are currently being held at the Pamunkey Regional Jail under no bond.
Sheriff Scott Moser stated, “I am so proud of the dedicated work of the men and women of the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office to bring this violent crime to a quick and successful resolution. I am also very thankful for the response and assistance from the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police. Above all, I am very thankful that no injuries as a result of these incidents. Additionally, the CCSO has a Safety Exchange Zone for meetings such as the case stated above. The Safety Exchange Zone is located at the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office and is video monitored and recorded. If someone does not want to meet you at the Safety Exchange Zone, you should consider that a warning flag and you may want to reconsider meeting that person”.
