Suspect Search Near Brush Mountain Estates
On August 15 the Virginia State Police spotted a vehicle that was similar to a vehicle that Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office had listed as potentially involved in a theft from a gas station. When the Trooper initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, the driver (Shawn Tolbert) refused to stop. A lengthy pursuit ended with Tolbert wrecking the vehicle in the area of Rte 42 in Craig County. He is currently wanted for three counts of felony eluding and reckless driving from that incident. Craig County Sheriff’s Office has also
placed charges against him for criminal trespassing, obstruction, false identification, and two counts of felony assault on a police officer from incidents that occurred during their pursuit of him.
In the days following the pursuit and crash there were potential sightings of Tolbert in both Craig and Giles County. On the evening of August 18 our office received a report of an attempted Breaking & Entering of a residence in the Brush Mountain Estates area of Montgomery County. Upon further investigation and based upon photos received from that residence it is believed that the individual attempting to break in was Shawn Tolbert. Based upon the outstanding felony warrants and the information received from other agencies involved with the pursuit our office, along with multiple other law enforcement agencies, have continued to search the area for Tolbert.
The potential sighting reports that we have received have been concentrated in and around the Brush Mountain area/north end of Blacksburg. In some reported sightings of Tolbert it was mentioned that he may have a handgun; however, we have not been able to substantiate for certain whether he is armed or not. Regardless, we ask the public to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings.
We will continue to maintain a heavy presence in and around the area until he is either captured or believed to no longer be in the area. He is still believed to be wearing blue jeans, black shoes, long sleeve purple shirt, with blonde hair pulled into a pony tail. We ask anyone who may see an individual matching his description to please call 911. For all other non‐emergency tips, please call (540) 382‐4343.
UPDATE 8:45AM: UPDATE: This morning law enforcement from multiple agencies continue to search areas in Montgomery County in regards to the B&E suspect from August 18. Potential sightings and information passed on by community members have kept the search focused in and around the Brush Mountain Area. We ask residents to continue to be vigilant throughout the night and please call 911 if they observe a subject matching the description. For all other non‐emergency tips, please call (540) 382‐4343.
UPDATE 10:45PM: We want the public to be aware that the search for the individual who attempted to break into a residence in the Brush Mountain area of Montgomery County will continue throughout the night. Law enforcement will maintain a heavy presence in the area. Based on information received it is believed that the individual is Shawn Tolbert, who other agencies had previously been searching for in the Giles/Craig County area. He is described as a white male wearing blue jeans, black shoes, possibly a long sleeve purple shirt, with blonde hair pulled into a pony tail. We ask residents to continue to be vigilant throughout the night and please call 911 if they observe a subject matching the description. For all other non‐emergency tips, please call (540) 382‐4343.
Original Post: The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office along with multiple other law enforcement agencies are currently searching for a white male who attempted to break into a residence in the Brush Mountain area of the county. Based on several witness observations and descriptions, we believe it to be Shawn Tolbert, who other law enforcement agencies have been searching for over the past week in the Giles/Craig County area.
The white male was described to have on blue jeans, black shoes, possibly a purple shirt, with blonde hair pulled into a ponytail. Residents in the Brush Mountain area will see a heavy police presence throughout the evening as the search continues. Additionally, residents should call 911 if they observe a subject matching that description.
For all other non-emergency tips, please use the non-emergency number 540-382-4343.
Updates will be made as warranted.
Lt. Mark E. Hollandsworth
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
