The individual who went on a crime spree Wednesday morning in Salem is now in custody. Salem Police Officers arrested Bradley Poff, 18, of Salem this afternoon and charged him with multiple crimes related to the rash of incidents that occurred in city on Wednesday morning.
Poff was indicted by a Salem Grand Jury today and charged with the following felonies:
- Robbery in Possession of a Firearm
- Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony
- 2 Counts of Grand Larceny
- Abduction by Force/Intimidation
- Child Neglect
- Eluding Police - Endangerment
After an extensive investigation, Salem Police identified a person of interest early Thursday. Poff was taken into custody at a home on Maple Street late Thursday morning and held on an unrelated probation violation. Within 48 hours of the crimes, Poff was formally charged with the seven counts. He is being held in Salem-Roanoke County jail without bond.
“This was a multi-layered case that was solved by hard work, collaboration, and technology,” said Salem Police Chief Derek Weeks. “The men and women at the Salem Police Department stayed on this investigation relentlessly and brought it to a conclusion. I appreciate each one of them and the neighboring jurisdictions that assisted us.”
During the crime spree on Wednesday, the suspect had his head and face completely covered with garments and a mask. The coverings made it virtually impossible to compile an accurate description that could have assisted in his capture.
“We understand there was some frustration in the media and in some circles of the public that a description of the suspect was not immediately given,” said Chief Weeks. “However, the last thing you want to do is provide information that is not only misleading, but also incorrect. It was a very unusual set of circumstances.”
A timeline that details the chain of events related to Wednesday’s crimes can be accessed at this link on the City of Salem’s website WEDNESDAY TIMELINE. The investigation is ongoing.