Roanoke man receives month in jail for attempted grand theft auto in New Kent County

A Roanoke man who attempted to steal a car from a Providence Forge business will spend a month in jail.

Elijah Wessel Campbell received his sentencing on one charge each of attempted grand theft auto, possession of burglary tools, and breaking and entering during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

During a Mar. 31 trial, a summary of evidence revealed that on Sept. 6, 2023, Campbell was on the property of United Auto Sales after it had closed for the night. Campbell took a pole and broke the front window, stealing a set of keys to one of the vehicles. As he attempted to try to steal the vehicle, the defendant was spooked and took off before law enforcement arrived on scene. Video surveillance recovered from the break-in showed Campbell and his vehicle. Investigators worked with Hopewell Sheriff’s Department and were able to identify the defendant.

Campbell received a 10-year jail sentence with all but nine months suspended on the attempted grand theft auto conviction. All ten years on the possession of burglary tools and all ten years on the breaking and entering convictions were suspended. He must also pay $850 in restitution for damage caused to the window of United Auto Sales and also pay a $1,000 fine.

In an unrelated matter, an inmate at Henrico Jail East will spend an additional six months in jail for being in possession of a deadly weapon.

Tavares Butts, 25, entered a guilty plea to a single count of possession of a deadly weapon by a prisoner as part of an agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Nov. 3, 2024, guards at Henrico Jail East were conducting routine searches of inmates and their cells when one felt an object in Butts’ possession. The officer carefully removed an object, which appeared to be a piece from a chair that had been shaved off to have a sharp edge. The item was removed from the defendant, and Butts was charged for the offense.

Under the agreement, he received a five-year sentence with four years, six months suspended (six months to serve) on the conviction.

In another unrelated matter, another inmate at Henrico Jail East will serve additional time behind bars.

Christopher Daniel Toman entered a guilty plea to delivering of drugs by a prisoner as part of a plea agreement reached.

In a summary of evidence, on June 20, 2023, Toman and two other inmates conspired to go to Sentara Hospital in Williamsburg and pick up drugs that were left in the bathroom by a civilian and bring them back into the jail. Officers were able to investigate the transaction and developed Toman as the suspect.

Under the agreement, Toman received a 10-year sentence with nine years, five months suspended (seven months to serve).