DATE: Tuesday, November 25, 1997            TAG: 9711250727

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:   74 lines

CRIME LINE

Suffolk

At midnight on Nov. 4, a vacant building in the 3500 block of Pruden Blvd. was engulfed by flames.

Two people reported the fire to a resident, who called 911.

The two-story, wooden structure formerly housed Floyd's Grill and had been sold and was sitting vacant awaiting remodeling.

One of the people who reported the fire showed a badge when the two asked the resident to call authorities. The fire marshal would like to talk to the witnesses.

Virginia Beach

In the past two weeks, the Super K-Mart in the 3900 block of Holland Road has been robbed by a group of five men.

Police have a video showing two of the men stealing three VCRs by walking out of an emergency door.

The suspects are described as black, in their 20s with medium builds and about 6 feet tall. They were possibly driving an older four-door gray Pontiac.

Portsmouth

On Nov. 2, about 10 p.m., a cab driver was robbed and shot by one of his passengers.

A driver for Safeway Cabs was dropping off a fare in the 1600 block of Loren Crescent when one of two passengers said, ``Give me your money.'' When the driver turned around, he was shot in the right cheek.

The first suspect is described as black, 17 or 18, 5 feet 8 inches tall and chubby. He had acne and was wearing a white T-shirt.

The second suspect is described as black, 17 or 18, with a thin build. He had braids in his hair, was wearing a camouflage jacket and was armed.

Hampton

On Nov. 7, the Arby's restaurant in the 3200 block of W. Mercury Blvd. was robbed.

At 10:20 p.m., two men wearing ski masks and armed with handguns jumped over the counter.

Pointing their guns at the clerks, they demanded money. After taking cash, they fled and were last seen running north toward Butternut Drive.

One of the suspects is described as black, 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall with a thin build. He was wearing baggy blue jeans and a black hooded sweat shirt.

Newport News

Newport News police need help identifying a suspect in three cases of indecent exposure that have occurred on three successive Sundays.

On Oct. 12, about 11:30 a.m., a 15-year-old girl walking in the wooded area just north of Hilton Elementary School saw a naked man standing in the area. He was fondling himself and motioned for the girl to come toward him.

On Oct. 26 about 10 a.m., two girls 11 and 12 were at the playground of Hilton School and observed a man with his pants down and standing at the edge of the woods just north of the playground.

On Oct. 2, about 12:10 p.m., a girl, 12, was in the same wooded area when a nude man who was fondling himself asked her three times to ``come here.'' The girl ran to a neighbor's house and contacted police.

Although the suspect has spoken to and motioned to some of the victims, he has not approached them, nor has he made any overt acts toward them.

The wooded area has a number of foot paths and is located just north of the Hilton Elementary School playground.

The same suspect is believed to have committed all three offenses.

The suspect is described as white, in his 30s, medium height and weight with a medium build. He is balding and has brown hair, a beard and glasses. ILLUSTRATION: Drawing of suspect in Newport News indecent exposure

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