Virginia Beach police arrested 10 people early Friday morning after executing a search warrant at a condemned home on the 500 block of Williamsburg Road. Officers said they recovered multiple firearms, narcotics, and ammunition during the operation, which followed months of surveillance and repeated complaints tied to the property.
According to police, the residence had generated 46 calls for service since July 2022 and had been condemned several times, most recently in December. Even so, officers continued to observe activity inside. At about 8:10 a.m. on February 14, they moved in and detained those present.
Police records indicate the Williamsburg Road property had drawn steady focus for over a year. Since July 2022, officers have handled 46 separate service calls at that location. Neighbors reported odd activity, noise issues, and people showing up and leaving at every hour.
The house had been declared unsafe to live in multiple times, most recently on December 5, but activity still continued. Investigators decided to monitor it more closely. One officer noted they kept seeing individuals walk into a structure that was clearly condemned.
Authorities said their surveillance showed constant foot traffic and short visits that caused concern about possible drug activity. After watching and recording those trends over time, detectives applied for a warrant. Officials stressed it was a measured action, not a rushed answer to one complaint.
Police said that once inside the residence, officers came across several weapons and illegal substances clearly visible. They seized two rifles, a short-barreled rifle, and a stolen sawed-off shotgun. Ammunition of different kinds was also found stored close by.
Investigators also reported finding marijuana along with drug paraphernalia scattered throughout the home. Authorities stressed that keeping firearms and narcotics together in the same area posed serious safety risks. A department spokesperson said that mixing guns and drugs can quickly turn dangerous.
In addition to the guns and suspected narcotics, officers seized a vehicle thought to be connected to transporting illegal substances. Police did not provide ownership details, but confirmed the vehicle was taken into custody as part of the evidence gathered.
Police confirmed that ten people were arrested, with ages stretching from 25 up to 54. The majority were from Virginia Beach, though some listed addresses in Norfolk and Portsmouth. Several individuals were charged with trespassing due to the property’s condemned status.
Authorities said 50-year-old Jason Rawlins faces the most serious charges, including two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Officers also served him with eight outstanding magistrate summonses.
Others were accused of possessing Schedule I or II controlled substances, and one individual was held on a capias from Chesapeake. A department spokesperson stated that when repeat violations and open warrants appear, officers act and work to resolve outstanding cases.
Cases like this often renew debate about how cities should handle nuisance properties and repeat complaints. Some residents argue stricter enforcement is necessary, while others call for more outreach and treatment options. Police encourage anyone with information to submit tips online at P3Tips.com.
City officials say long-term improvement depends on coordination between law enforcement, courts, and community services. “We cannot arrest our way out of every problem,” one local official said, noting that prevention and accountability must work side by side.