In January of 2025, the Bedford Police Department took a report of a commercial business that
had been burglarized. Surveillance footage captured an unknown suspect, and an investigation
began. This suspect would appear to also be connected to similar crimes that the Bedford
County Sheriff’s Office and Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office were investigating.
All three agencies would began communicating and working alongside one another in hopes of
solving these crimes collaboratively. While working tirelessly, and after countless hours worked,
a Detective with the Bedford Police Department would develop a suspect in these cases.
In February, Roanoke County Police Department took a report in their jurisdiction of a
commercial business that had been burglarized. Surveillance footage captured the same
unknown suspect. Around this time agencies in Northern Virginia also assisted with this
investigation, as they suffered similar crimes in their jurisdictions.
On 2/27/25, a search warrant was obtained for the residence of Ryan Wheeler Wallace of
Roanoke County. Numerous agencies responded to assist in these efforts, resulting in several
stolen items from these offenses being located. Wallace was taken into custody without incident
after this multi-jurisdictional investigation by numerous enforcement agencies across Virginia,
and charged with a number of felonies and misdemeanors related to these crimes, with the
possibility of more charges to come.
The Bedford Police Department praises the teamwork demonstrated by 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.