THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 25, 1994 TAG: 9408250605
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B01 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
A 27-year-old Tennessee truck driver who police say was apparently trying to buy drugs became the city's record-setting 30th homicide victim early Wednesday, breaking the previous high total set in 1991.
By this time last year, police had investigated 18 homicides. And by this time in 1991, detectives had handled 20.
At the current rate, resort city detectives can expect 47 killings by New Year's Eve.
The city's tally was shoved toward the record with two quadruple homicides within three weeks this summer.
``Quite frankly, I can't think of any one reason for it,'' said William Haden, commanding officer of the detective bureau. ``There have just been more incidents where the injuries have been more severe. That may sound like a stupid thing to say, but it's just true. I can't think of any other reason.''
Police spokesman Mike Carey said officers found the body of Michael S. Owens of Memphis, Tenn., in a patch of bushes about five yards off Burton Station Road. A man with Owens, 39-year-old Edwin W. Proplech, of Omaha, Neb., also was shot, but ran across nearby Northampton Boulevard to a residence and asked for help. Proplech is also a truck driver.
According to Carey, this is what happened:
Shortly after midnight, two officers were sent to the 5800 block of Burton Station Road - described by police as a known drug area - because a neighbor complained of gunshots. The officers found nothing on their first pass down the dark street.
Minutes later, a second call was recorded on the city's 911 line. An apartment resident across Northampton Boulevard said a man knocked on his door, saying he had been shot.
Police then returned to Burton Station Road where they found Owens' body.
Proplech was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where Carey said he is in stable condition.
Despite the increasing workload, Virginia Beach detectives have earned a phenomenal clearance rate.
Before Wednesday's slaying, detectives had solved or cleared 28 of 29 cases, or about 97 percent. The national clearance rate is around 60 percent.
``We've got a pretty good crew of folks,'' Haden said. ``They work as a team, not only in the homicide unit, but all other detectives that can be spared work as a team with us. We are able to put a lot of manpower out in a short period of time.''
The 1994 murder tally in Virginia Beach has ballooned, in part, because of some anomalies.
On June 30, homicide detectives investigated the city's first ever quadruple homicide that claimed the lives of three employees and one patron at a bar. Three weeks later, on July 15, detectives were sent to a house on Seaboard Road for another quadruple homicide. Four family members were found dead in drug-related slayings.
On Feb. 3, detectives discovered the body of a woman who was killed in May 1991, but because the homicide wasn't known until 1994, it counts on this year's tally.
If the rate continues, Virginia Beach will end the year as Hampton Roads' second-deadliest city, behind Norfolk, with Portsmouth bumped to third.
So far, Norfolk has tallied 43 homicides; Virginia Beach, 30; and Portsmouth, 15.
Virginia Beach police had made no arrests late Wednesday in the death of Owens, but Carey said detectives were searching for two possible suspects.
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call 427-0000. ILLUSTRATION: Staff color graphic
MURDERS ON THE RISE
Source: Virginia Beach Police
For copy of graphic, see microfilm
WHY SO HIGH?
JUNE 30: Three employees and one patron were killed at the
Witchduck Inn, a bar near the intersection of Pembroke and
Independence boulevards. It was the city's first quadruple murder. A
former employee and her boyfriend have been charged.
JULY 15: Four family members were killed in drug-related slayings
at a house near the intersection of Seaboard and Princess Anne
roads. A 16-year-old has been charged.
KEYWORDS: MURDER VIRGINIA BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT
by CNB