Suspect in one theft arrested in another
Published 11:31 pm Wednesday, February 2, 2011
A man who was shot in the head after what police believe was a botched attempt to steal a dog box from the yard of a former Suffolk police officer has been arrested on charges in an unrelated theft.
Police say that Quamaine Lamar Lassiter, 20, and another man stole $350,000 worth of steam turbine valves used by the U.S. Navy and pawned them at scrap metal businesses for a total of $133.
The steam turbine valves were stolen from a business in the 100 block of Dill Road, city spokeswoman Debbie George said.
Lamar Elliott, 19, also is charged in the theft. He faces counts of grand larceny, obtaining money by false pretenses, destruction of property and larceny with intent to sell.
In an unrelated case, police say Lassiter was shot in the head by retired Suffolk police officer Charles Duck while allegedly trying to take a dog box from Duck’s property. The bullet lodged under Lassiter’s skin and did not penetrate his skull.
Duck told police he was awakened by the sound of his dog barking at his Whitemarsh Road home early in the morning on Jan. 13.
He said he looked outside and saw a man attempting to load a dog transport crate from his yard into the back of a pickup truck. Duck retrieved a gun and yelled at the man through the window to move to the front of the truck. When the man jumped into his truck through the passenger door, Duck fired several shots at the vehicle.
Shortly thereafter, Lassiter arrived at Sentara Obici Hospital with a gunshot wound to the head. He said he was shot by someone passing him in a vehicle as he walked along Lake Kennedy Drive.
Police found a possible suspect vehicle with bullet holes in it on Oak Street, George said.
No charges have yet been filed against Lassiter or Duck in the incident. It will be reviewed by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office.