Suffolk police detective honored

Published 9:04 pm Saturday, April 29, 2017

Suffolk Police Detective William Shockley received an award at the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Virginia Public Safety Awards Ceremony in Newport News on April 26.

Shockley was honored for his work on a case involving a serial robber who struck a fast-food restaurant in Suffolk on Sept. 29, 2015.

Sylvester Lipscombe was sentenced to 22 years in prison for the crimes.

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“The hard work and dedication of Detective Shockley and surrounding agencies working on this case lead to the arrest of Lipscombe,” a city of Suffolk press release stated.

Shortly following his release from federal custody in February 2015, Lipscombe began a crime spree, during which he threatened, robbed and victimized 10 store employees at six businesses in three cities, stealing almost $9,000 in U.S. currency from multiple locations, including a Burger King in Suffolk, according to the city press release.

When Lipscombe attempted his final robbery in late December 2015 in Newport News, he entered the Metro PCS store wearing the same outfit that he had worn in each of the other robberies, according to the city press release.

As he approached the counter and brandished a gun, the clerk drew a firearm and shot Lipscombe in the abdomen, according to the city press release.

The gun used by Lipscombe was determined to be a pellet gun, according to the release. Lipscombe will be more than 70 years old when released.