THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 7, 1994 TAG: 9409070448
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
Police Tuesday were still searching for two robbery suspects who retreated under a barrage of gunfire after their intended victim, an off-duty Newport News police detective, shot at them.
It is not known if the detective wounded the suspects. The detective and his 5-year-old daughter, who was with him, were not hurt.
The alleged attempted robbery happened around 10 p.m. Monday near a toll basket on the Witchduck Road westbound on-ramp.
The detective, whose name was not released, drew his pistol and ``fired repeatedly'' after two men in what is believed to be a burgundy Ford Mustang pointed a gun at him, state police spokeswoman Tammy Van Dame said. The suspects did not shoot.
The Ford backed off the ramp and fled north on Witchduck Road.
Neither suspect had been arrested Tuesday afternoon.
Van Dame said this is what the Newport News detective told investigators:
Just before 10 p.m., he and his 5-year-old daughter stopped at the toll basket and tossed in change. When the light didn't turn green, the detective got out of his car to check the machine.
The Ford pulled up near the detective.
The driver twice told the detective to walk to him and then pointed a handgun at him.
The detective drew his weapon and fired.
The suspects' car backed off the ramp and sped north on Witchduck Road.
State police are investigating. The suspects' car may have stolen license plates, or no plates, police said.
Anyone with information can call the state police at 424-6800.
KEYWORDS: SHOOTING VIRGINIA BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT by CNB