A Roanoke County man has been arrested in connection with a series of burglaries stretching across Virginia, from Northern Virginia to Botetourt, Roanoke, and Bedford counties.
Ryan Wheeler Wallace, of Roanoke County, was taken into custody on February 27 after a coordinated investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
The investigation began in January when the Bedford Police Department (BPD) responded to a report of a commercial burglary.
Surveillance footage from the crime scene captured a suspect, prompting BPD to initiate an investigation.
As they dug deeper, investigators discovered that the same suspect was linked to similar burglaries being investigated by the Bedford County Sheriff's Office and the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office.
Collaborating closely, these agencies worked together on the case. In February, the Roanoke County Police Department also responded to a burglary at a commercial business within its jurisdiction.
Surveillance footage from that crime scene further linked the suspect to the series of burglaries.
Around the same time, law enforcement in Northern Virginia began to provide assistance, identifying similar crimes in their regions.
On February 27, after weeks of investigation, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the home of Ryan Wheeler Wallace.
A coordinated operation ensued, involving several agencies, and numerous stolen items were recovered.
Wallace was arrested without incident, and he now faces a range of charges, including felonies and misdemeanors, related to the burglaries.
Authorities also indicated that additional charges could be forthcoming as the investigation progresses.
The following agencies participated in the investigation:
Bedford Police Department
Bedford County Sheriff’s Office
Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office
Roanoke County Police Department
Roanoke City Police Department
Salem Police Department
Stafford County Sheriff’s Office
Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office
Fairfax County Police Department
Wallace is currently being held in custody, and law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation.
They have urged anyone with additional information regarding the burglaries to come forward.
This arrest highlights the power of collaboration among multiple agencies working together to solve crimes and bring perpetrators to justice across a wide geographic area.
As the investigation unfolds, more details may emerge, and additional suspects could be identified.