Man arrested after shooting threats made to Virginia Beach jail
The Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team this afternoon arrested an individual suspected of making threats against the Virginia Beach Correctional Center. Larry Thomas Mitchell-Stevens, 24, of the 8500 block of Chesapeake Blvd. in Norfolk, is charged with one count of violating section 18.2-83 of the Virginia Code. The charge is a Class 5 felony.
The charges stemmed from three phone calls made early this morning to emergency dispatch, at least two containing threats of a shooting at the jail. The Sheriff’s Office investigated and obtained from a magistrate an arrest warrant against Mitchell-Stevens.
With support from the Virginia Beach and Norfolk Police Departments, the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team executed the warrant and took Mitchell-Stevens into custody at the home of a family member in Norfolk, where he was staying. The arrest was made without incident.
As a result of the threats, the Sheriff’s Office earlier in the day increased security at both the Virginia Beach Correctional Center and the Courthouse as a precaution. The Courthouse was not threatened, but received additional security due to its proximity to the Correctional Center. Employees of the Sheriff’s Office and the public were notified of the situation and advised to take safety precautions.
There does not appear to have been an immediate danger to either location. However, the Sheriff’s Office takes all threats to its staff and to the public seriously.
Mitchell-Stevens has been booked into the Virginia Beach Correctional Center, where he is being held without bond. He has declined media interviews.
For questions or additional information, contact Public Information Officer Kathy Hieatt: khieatt@vbso.net, 757.385.8446 (office), 757.570-9123 (cell).
