A man who exchanged gunfire with a Hampton food delivery driver on Aug. 29 has been arrested on multiple felony charges.
And nearly a month into the investigation, detectives are still trying to determine whether the case is connected to the case of another man found shot to death nearby that same morning.
The restaurant delivery driver called 911 on Aug. 29 to say he had just completed a delivery on Marion Road at about 12:50 a.m. when an armed man approached, flashing his gun.
The driver drew his own weapon and the men fired at each other, police said. The would-be robber ran after being shot, police said. The driver — who was not wounded — called police and remained at the scene.
As Hampton officers deployed a tracking dog in search of the robber, a neighbor called about a “suspicious vehicle” on Sargeant Street, just across Old Buckroe Road.
Officers went there, finding a man dead on the ground next to his own car. He’d been shot multiple times.
On Wednesday, police arrested Bernard Lewis, 39, of Petersburg in the case.
“This is the guy who attempted to rob the food delivery driver,” Stalnaker said. “This is the guy that the delivery driver shot in that exchange of gunfire.”
Lewis was taken into custody this week with the help of the U.S. Marshals. He’s been charged with the attempted robbery and attempted malicious wounding along with several other gun charges.
Lewis is being held at the Riverside Regional Jail in North Prince George, awaiting a transfer to Hampton.
Police previously identified the man who was found shot to death on Sargeant Street as Anthony Clark, 35, of Hampton. But it’s still not clear whether that killing is connected to the attempted robbery.
“It’s basically puzzles that they’re piecing together and it’s just taking a little while,” Stalnaker said. “So luckily (detectives) were able to do this part — and hopefully this part of the puzzle will then allow them to say that they are or are not connected.”
“If everyone cooperated with the investigation, you’d probably have this solved already,” Stalnaker added.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Hampton Police at 757-727-6111 or the Crime Line at 1–888-LOCK-U-UP (1-888-562-5887). Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,500. Callers may also leave tips at P3Tips.com, or on the P3Tips mobile phone application.
Peter Dujardin, 757-897-2062, pdujardin@dailypress.com
