The Danville Police Department has charged and arrested an eighth person following their involvement in thefts from motor vehicles.
Antonio Ballard, 28 of Danville, was arrested Tuesday, April 15, and charged with 10 misdemeanors including three counts of petit larceny, attempt to obtain money by false pretenses, and six counts of tampering with a vehicle.
The Danville Police Department continues to investigate all incidents relating to thefts from motor vehicles.
Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Danville Police Department by either calling 911, patrol at 434-799-6510 option 4, investigations at 434-799-6508 option 3, and option 1 again, contacting Crime Stoppers at 434-793-0000, approach any officer you see, through social media, via email crimetips@danvilleva.gov, or use our crime tips app CARE at www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=818#.
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ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE (4/15/25):
Multiple Arrests, Charges Following a Series of Thefts from Motor Vehicles
Seven individuals have been charged by the Danville Police Department with a multitude of offenses following multiple thefts from motor vehicles over the course of the first few months of 2025 in numerous neighborhoods throughout the city.
Investigators identified Danville residents Syreeta Watkins, 49, Tohn Echols, 48, and Shadd Breakley, 49, as working in concert to commit thefts from motor vehicles. Watkins and Echols have been arrested, and Breakley is wanted. Their charges are as follows:
- Syreeta Watkins
- Felony Grand Larceny
- Four Counts of Felony Theft of Credit Cards
- Tohn Echols
- Misdemeanor Petit Larceny
- Eight Counts of Misdemeanor Theft of Credit Cards
- Felony Unauthorized Possession of Two or More Credit Cards
- Misdemeanor Enter or Set in Motion a Vehicle
- Felony Grand Larceny
- Felony Auto Theft
- Shadd Breakley
- Felony Theft of Credit Cards
- Misdemeanor Credit Card Fraud
- Misdemeanor Enter or Set in Motion a Vehicle
Investigators also identified the four following individuals, who do not appear at this time as having any involvement together:
- Roderick Tabb, 33 (Danville, VA resident)
- Two Counts of Misdemeanor Petit Larceny
- Three Counts of Misdemeanor Enter or Set in Motion a Vehicle
- Six Counts of Felony Theft of Credit Cards
- Felony Grand Larceny
- Roland Cobbins, 64 (Winston-Salem, NC resident)
- Felony Unauthorized Possession of Two or More Credit Cards
- Felony Possession of Burglarious Tools
- Lashaunta Saunders, 41 (Danville, VA resident)
- Two Counts of Felony Grand Larceny
- Four Counts of Misdemeanor Enter or Set in Motion a Vehicle
- Preston Gardner-Phelps, 18 (Mississippi resident)
- Two Counts of Misdemeanor Enter or Set in Motion a Vehicle
The department continues to investigate all involvements and incidents that have occurred.
With the exception of Breakley all suspects have been arrested. Cobbins was arrested in North Carolina and released on bond.
When exiting a vehicle, even if briefly, take every precaution to secure personal items and belongings out of view. Lock the vehicle and remove the keys.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Breakley, or thefts from motor vehicles, is asked to please contact the Danville Police Department by either calling 911, patrol at 434-799-6510 option 4, investigations at 434-799-6508 option 3, and option 1 again, contacting Crime Stoppers at 434-793-0000, approach any officer you see, through social media, via email crimetips@danvilleva.gov, or use our crime tips app CARE at www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=818#.
