BEDFORD, VA (LOOTPRESS) – A months-long investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies across Virginia has led to the arrest of a Roanoke County man in connection with a string of commercial burglaries.
The case began in January 2025 when the Bedford Police Department received a report of a burglary at a local business.
Surveillance footage captured an unknown suspect, and investigators soon discovered similar crimes were being investigated by the Bedford County and Botetourt County Sheriff’s Offices.
Recognizing a pattern, the three agencies collaborated to solve the crimes.
A Bedford Police Department detective eventually identified a suspect.
In February, the Roanoke County Police Department received a similar burglary report, with surveillance footage capturing the same individual.
Around the same time, law enforcement agencies in Northern Virginia also became involved as similar crimes were reported in their jurisdictions.
On February 27, authorities executed a search warrant at the Roanoke County residence of Ryan Wheeler Wallace. Multiple agencies assisted in the operation, which led to the recovery of several stolen items.
Wallace represented Morgantown’s 3rd Ward on the Morgantown City Council for a single two-year term from July 2017 through June 2019.
Wallace was taken into custody without incident and charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors, with additional charges possible.
The Bedford Police Department commended the collaborative efforts of numerous agencies, including the 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, and the Fairfax County Police Department.
