[7-Holiday-Crime]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas Shopping]
Today is the last shopping day before Christmas and that means last minute shoppers should be aware of holiday crime.
Joy Sutton reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This holiday]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :01]
[SUPER=01-Lt. Bill Althoff/Roanoke City Police Dept.; :15]
[SUPER=01-Louise Dudley/Valley View Mall GM; :54]
[SUPER=@Joy1; 1:21]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=News 7 Roanoke]
(( This Holiday season the stores have been packed with customers.
And authorities some criminals take this opportunity to try their schemes -- like using counterfeit money that has been printed off a computer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:31:36]
[IN Q=It has worked because]
((LT. BILL ALTHOFF/ROANOKE CITY POLICE DEPT.: IT HAS WORKED BECAUSE THE CLERKS ARE SO BUSY, DURING THIS BUSY SHOPPING SEASON THAT THEY DON'T ALWAYS TAKE TIME TO LOOK THROUGH THE MONEY ESPECIALLY IF THERE ARE SEVERAL BILLS TOGETHER))
[RUNS8]
[OUT Q=bills together]
During this time of year police say shop lifting increases by about 25 percent.
And you won't believe what has been the biggest item to steal.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:33:50]
[IN Q=Nintendo or sega]
((LT ALTHOFF: NINTENDO OR SEGA SYSTEMS. NOT JUST THE LITTLE GAME PACKS BUT THE ENTIRE BOX OF THE SYSTEM ))
[RUNS8]
[OUT Q=the systems]
Police say some shopping areas have had items stolen out of vehicles and businesses burglarized.
But Valley View Mall is one shopping center that is trying to deter crime and has teamed with the police department.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:37:33]
[IN Q=This holiday season actually]
((LOUISE DUDLEY/MALL GENERAL MGR.: THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WE ACTUALLY PUT AN EXTRA VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT SO THAT WE HAVE 2 VEHICLES GOING DURING THE HOURS OF THE MALL. BUT VALLEY VIEW ALSO HAS BIKE PATROL AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ALSO HAS A BIKE PATROL.))
[RUNS10]
[OUT Q=bike patrol]
Police say the bike patrols have helped reduce the number of purse snatchings and vehicle break-ins.
Inside the mall uniformed Roanoke City police officers are on patrol as well as mall security ready to respond and to assist with situations.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Police say to avoid]
((JOY SUTTON/REPORTER:POLICE SAY TO AVOID BECOMING A TARGET OF CRIME -- IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS, DON'T KEEP VALUABLES VISIBLE IN YOUR CAR, AND IF POSSIBLE SHOP WITH ANOTHER PERSON. JOY SUTTON, NEWS 7, ROANOKE))
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=n7 roanoke]))
[7-Fulcher]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mike Fulcher]
Michael Fulcher is asking a Roanoke federal judge to dismiss charges against him, his wife and
his mother.
Attorneys for Fulcher and his family are making the request based on a secret letter sent by the D-E-A to a federal judge last month.
The defense claims there will be new evidence that the D-E-A officially authorized Fulcher to work undercover inside Bland Correctional Center, where he was an inmate.
The defense also claims that Fulcher and his family got involved in a drug ring to bust guards involved in a marijuana and money-laundering conspiracy.
A hearing is set for Monday.
[7-11M'ville-Murder]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Murder]
A Martinsville man has been charged with murder for killing his roommate.
50-year-old Leon White is now in custody.
He's been charged with first-degree murder after a stabbing Wednesday.
Police say his roommate ... Rodney Oneal Martin ... was stabbed in the stomach after an argument.
Martin died Wednesday night at Martinsville Memorial Hospital.
[7Weather]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Here's a look at your Christmas Eve forecast.
Mostly cloudy today with a chance of light snow.
High temperatures in the low to mid 30s.
Tonight mostly clear, windy, and cold.
Lows dip into the upper teens to low 20s.
The extended holiday forecast...(ad lib if necessary)
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Cloudy/Chance of Lt. Snow/30-35/Mostly Clear/Winds NW 10-15/15-20;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[45-11Board-Game]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-42]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The brainchild of a Charlotte County inventor pokes fun at the possible problems surrounding Y2K.
He hopes the board game will be the hot toy of the new Millenium.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte Co.]
"Millenium Vacation" lets players plan a winter trip to Grandparents House and back.. but with a few Y2K complications and typical family vacation problems thrown in.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:00:16]
[IN Q=We've had 46]
((LOU GARLAND/MILLENIUM BOARD GAME INVENTOR: WE'VE HAD 46 TEST FAMILIES AROUND THE UNITED STATES AND THE MAJORITY OF THE INPUT WE'VE HAD CAME FROM CHILDREN, TEENAGERS AND SUCH, AND THEY'RE THE ONES THAT HAVE ENJOYED IT THE MOST AND ADULTS HAVE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF INPUT.. AND THE MODIFICATION STAGE, WHATEVER THEY'D SUGGEST, THAT'S WHAT WE'D TRY TO INCORPORATE, TRIED TO MAKE IT FOR THEM.))
[SUPER=01-Lou Garland/Millenium Board Game Inventor]
[RUNS=22]
[OUT Q=make it for them.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Garland has sold more than 500 copies of Millenium Vacation since November.
(------------)
[45-11NRV-Gifts]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-43 1:50:05]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas Santa]
The generosity of New River Valley residents is helping make the Christmas wishes of needy children come true.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]
Representatives from local children's homes arrived yesterday to claim hundreds of presents left under the tree ..
by shoppers at the New River Valley Mall.
The gifts are headed to 63 kids in Floyd and Wythe county children's homes and to foster children in Montgomery County.
Organizers say that area residents came through with even more than children requested.
(------------)
[***WIPE***WIPE***]
[45-11Pitts-Santa]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=599-16 1:00:53]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[**WIPE***WIPE**]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.]
The sheriff's department played Santa in Pittsylvania County.
The department has been collecting toys and food, and yesterday it was time to deliver.
A half-dozen deputies hit the roads, making Christmas deliveries to 22 families with 48 children.
This is the second year the Pittsylvania County sheriff's department has helped families at Christmas.
(------------)
[45-11Men-Shopping]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jbi]
[TAPE#=599-13 1:38:12]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas Shopping]
The holiday shopping season is winding down.
Today is the last chance to wrap up your Christmas shopping.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
These late shoppers have more in common than just the need for a quick gift.
Most of them are men.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:32:19]
[IN Q=It's a]
((IT'S A BAD HABIT. I'VE ALWAYS DONE MY SHOPPING AT THE LAST MINUTE.))
[SUPER=01-Christopher Gorman/ Shopper]
[RUNS=4]
[OUT Q=minute.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Stores such as Victoria's Secret -- usually women's domain -- were packed with guys looking for that perfect gift.
Another popular gift from these procrastinating men is jewelry, and it's not always just for Christmas.
Even before it gets here, the year two thousand has been a good one for the jewelry business.
Some stores are selling what they call millennium diamonds, which means twice as many presents for guys to buy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:00:53]
[IN Q=They need]
(( THEY NEED ONE FOR CHRISTMAS AND THEN ANOTHER FOR THE NEW YEAR.))
[SUPER=01-Marie Compton/ Fink's Jewelry]
[RUNS=4]
[OUT Q=new year.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Now not all men are late shoppers, and not all the late shoppers are men, but clerks say when Christmas gets really near, it's a man's world at the malls.
(------------)
[45Weather]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Taking a break from the news to check the forecast on this Christmas Eve...
Mostly cloudy today with a chance of light snow showers.
Highs of 30 to 35.
Mostly clear overnight, with very cold lows in the upper teens.
Looking ahead to the five day forecast... Christmas will be mostly sunny and chilly with highs in the low 30s...then a gradual warm-up starting Sunday with highs around 50.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Cloudy/Chance of Lt. Snow/30-35/Mostly Clear/Winds NW 10-15/15-20;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[8-Store-Crime]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-??]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas Shopping]
Christmas is the time for giving, but not for everyone.
Police say some people are taking this opportunity to steal.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
They say during the holiday season when the stores are packed -- some criminals are on the prowl.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:30:35 cover part of bite with purse video]
[IN Q=We are seeing an increase]
((LT. BILL ATLHOFF/ROANOKE CITY POLICE DEPT.: WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN SHOP LIFTING ESPECIALLY IN THE MALLS AND BUSY STORES. WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN COUNTERFEITING. AND WE'RE SEEING OFFENSES WERE PEOPLE LEAVE THEIR PURSES SOMEWHERE IN THE BUSY SHOPPING GO BACK TO LOOK AND IT'S GONE))
[SUPER=01-Lt. Bill Althoff/Roanoke City Police Dept.]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=it's gone]
(------------)
[VO-NAT show video of Towers]
Police say Towers Mall is just one shopping area that has had items stolen out of cars, businesses burglarized, and at least one person caught shoplifting.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Police say to avoid being a target it's important to be aware of your surroundings, don't leave valuables visible in your vehicle, and shop with another person if possible.
[8-Fulcher]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Fulcher]
A Roanoke federal judge is being asked to dismiss charges against Micheal Fulcher, his wife, and mother....by Fulcher himself.
Attorneys for Fulcher and his family are making the request based on a secret letter sent by the D-E-A to a federal judge last month.
The defense claims there will be new evidence that the D-E-A officially authorized Fulcher to work undercover inside Bland Correctional Center, where he was an inmate.
The defense also claims that Fulcher and his family got involved in a drug ring to bust guards involved in a marijuana and money-laundering conspiracy.
A hearing is set for Monday.
[8-11M'ville-Murder]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Murder]
Martinsville police have charged a man with killing his roommate.
50-year-old Leon White is in custody.
He's been charged with first-degree murder after a stabbing Wednesday.
Police say his roommate ... Rodney Oneal Martin ... was stabbed in the stomach after an argument.
Martin died Wednesday night at Martinsville Memorial Hospital.
[8-11Spanky's]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=99-44 1:37:44]
[GRAPHIC=Lawsuit]
The owners of a local restaurant chain are suing the Roanoke Times for five million dollars.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]
A suit filed by Spanky's restaurant claims the Times libeled the restaurant .. by reporting on some 70 indictments handed up by the Salem grand jury.
Several people were charged with dealing drugs outside Spanky's earlier this year.
A spokesman for the Roanoke Times says he hadn't seen the lawsuit, and couldn't comment.
(------------)
[8-1181-Patrols]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=81 More Patrols]
If you are traveling this holiday weekend, beware of increased police presence on the major interstates.
State police are hoping their own increased patrols will help keep accident numbers down.
They're promising major patrols on Virginia's most heavily traveled Interstates.
Interstate 81 is on the list.
Troopers will be on a special lookout for drunk and aggressive drivers.
[8Weather]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Before we finish the morning updates...here's a final look at the forecast.
Mostly cloudy with a chance of light snow showers.
Highs in the low to mid 30s.
Becoming mostly clear tonight, with lows in the upper teens.
Looking ahead to the five day forecast... Christmas will be mostly sunny and chilly with highs in the low 30s...then a gradual warm-up starting Sunday with highs around 50.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Cloudy/Chance of Lt. Snow/30-35/Mostly Clear/Winds NW 10-15/15-20;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
by SS