Eden Police Department

05/20/2026

News Release

Contact: Lieutenant David Stepps

For Release: May 20, 2026,

On Monday, May 18, 2026, the Patrol Division of the Eden Police Department responded to a welfare check at 300 S. Fieldcrest Road. Upon arrival, officers were able to safely assist a female from the residence.

Officers then made contact with the resident of the home, identified as Tony Russell Whitt Jr. Following the initial response, patrol officers notified the Investigations Division of the Eden Police Department, at which time an investigation was initiated.

After a thorough investigation, Officer Charles Noell secured warrants on 46-year-old Tony Russell Whitt Jr. for the following:

• First Degree Forcible R**e (Felony)
• First Degree Force S*x Offense (Felony)
• First Degree Kidnapping (Felony)
• Break and Enter M/V with Theft (Felony)
• AWDW Serious Injury (Felony)
• Assault by Strangulation (Felony)
• Crime of Domestic Violence (Misd)
• Stalking (Misd)
• Interfere with Emergency Comm (Misd)
• Poss of VI Controlled Substance (Misd)

Tony “Russ” Whitt is being held without bond.

At this time, the investigation is ongoing and no further information will be released.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Lieutenant David Stepps at 336-623-9755 (24hr) or 336-623-9240 ext. 3255 8 am-6 pm.

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can also call Rockingham County Crime Stoppers at 336-349-9683

05/19/2026

News Release

Contact: Lieutenant David Stepps

For Release: May 19, 2026,

On Tuesday May 5th, 2026, The Eden Police Department received a report in reference to a sexual assault involving a minor.

After a thorough investigation and consulting with the Rockingham County District Attorney’s Office, Detective Brock Fox secured warrants on 20-year-old Rodney Jacob Small for the following:

• 1 Count: Indecent Liberties with a Minor (Felony)

Rodney Small is being held without bond.

At this time, the investigation is ongoing and no further information will be released.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Brock Fox or Lieutenant David Stepps at 336-623-9755 (24hr) or 336-623-9240 ext. 3255 8 am-6 pm.

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can also call Rockingham County Crime Stoppers at 336-349-9683.

05/19/2026

News Release

Contact: Lieutenant David Stepps

For Release: May 19, 2026,

The Eden Police Department has arrested two Eden men following investigations into multiple cybertips.

Investigators received two separate tips from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force regarding potential child sexual abuse material being possessed/distributed.

As a result of the investigation, Sergeant Stoneman secured warrants on Michael Christopher Joyce and Michael Dale Craddock, both of Eden N.C. Joyce and Craddock were both subsequently arrested and charged with 2nd Degree S*xual Exploitation of a Minor.

Michael Joyce is being held without bond and was charged with:

• 2nd Degree S*xual Exploitation of a Minor (Felony)

Michael Joyce is being held without bond and was charged with:

• 2nd Degree S*xual Exploitation of a Minor (Felony)

This investigation remains ongoing, and no further information will be released at this time. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Lieutenant Stepps or Sergeant Stoneman at 336-623-9755 (24hr) or 336-623-9240 ext. 3255 8 am-6 pm.

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can also call Rockingham County Crime Stoppers at 336-349-9683.

05/18/2026

📍Mr. Pinkard has been located and is safe, The Eden Police Department would like to thank the public for their assistance. 📍

News Release

Contact: Lieutenant David Stepps

For Release: May 18, 2026,

The Eden Police Department is currently seeking the whereabouts of Marcus Clayvon Pinkard. Mr. Pinkard was last seen last on May 5th, 2026, in Eden. We are asking the community for any assistance in this matter.

Marcus Clayvon Pinkard
Black Male
DOB: 12/27/2000

Anyone with information regarding Pinkard’s whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Tyson Scales or Lieutenant David Stepps at 336-623-9755 (24hr) or 336-623-9240 ext. 3255 8 am-6 pm.

Anyone who wishes to provide information and remain anonymous is asked to call Rockingham County Crimestoppers at 336-349-9683.

05/14/2026

Today, Emory Knight stopped by the Eden Police Department to take a look around at his future workplace. Emory is a 3rd grader at Central Elementary School and hopes to become an Eden Police Officer one day in the future!

Thank you, Emory, for spending some time with us today. We enjoyed having you at the department, and you’re welcome back anytime!

04/22/2026

News Release

Contact: Lieutenant David Stepps

For Release: April 22, 2026,

On April 22, 2026, the Eden Police Department and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office executed a series of simultaneous narcotics search warrants. The Eden Police Department would like to thank the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office and the Reidsville Police Department for their assistance.

As a result of the search warrants in Eden, Sergeant Hash secured warrants on 39-year-old Rontrell Obrian Valentine for the following:

• 4 Counts: Expose Child to a Controlled Substance (Felony)
• 1 Count: Possession of Methamphetamine (Felony)
• 1 Count: Maintain a vehicle/dwelling for C/S (Felony)
• 1 Count: PWISD Ma*****na (Felony)
• 1 Count: Possession of a Firearm by Felon (Felony)
• 1 Count: Possession of Ma*****na Paraphernalia (Misd)
• 1 Count: Child Abuse (Misd)

Additionally, Sergeant Hash secured warrants for 37-year-old Gladys Elaine Martin because of the same investigation. She is charged with:

• 4 Counts: Expose Child to a Controlled Substance (Felony)
• 1 Count: Maintain a vehicle/dwelling for C/S (Felony)
• 1 Count: Child Abuse (Misd)

Rontrell Valentine is being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court on April 30, 2026.

Gladys Martins received a $20,000 secure bond and is also scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court on April 30, 2026.

This investigation remains ongoing, and no further information will be released at this. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Lieutenant Stepps or Sergeant Hash at 336-623-9755 (24hr) or 336-623-9240 ext. 3255 8 am-6 pm.

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can also call Rockingham County Crime Stoppers at 336-349-9683.
Reidsville Police Department Rockingham County Sheriff's Office Henry County Sheriff's Office

04/21/2026

03/20/2026

News Release

Contact: Lieutenant David Stepps

For Release: March 20, 2026,

On Thursday, March 20, 2026, the Eden Police Department Narcotics Division attempted to stop a vehicle for traffic violations. The vehicle fled from the officer, and once the pursuit ended, the driver, Jeffrey Lynn Hayden Jr., fled on foot before being taken into custody.

Following a thorough investigation, Sergeant Lance Hash secured warrants on 35-year-old Jeffrey Lynn Hayden Jr. for the following charges:

• 2 Counts: Trafficking O***m or He**in (Felony)
• 2 Counts: Possession of Co***ne (Felony)
• 1 Count: Maintaining a vehicle for Controlled Substance (Felony)
• 1 Count: Possession of Methamphetamine (Felony)
• 1 Count: Flee/Elude Arrest W/MV (Felony)
• 1 Count: Possession of Ma*****na (Misd)

Jeffrey Hayden Jr is being held without bond, and is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court on April 09, 2026.

At this time, the investigation is ongoing and no further information will be released.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Sergeant Lance Hash or Lieutenant David Stepps at 336-623-9755 (24hr) or 336-623-9240 ext. 3255 8 am-6 pm.

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can also call Rockingham County Crime Stoppers at 336-349-9683.

02/26/2026

News Release

Contact: Lieutenant David Stepps

For Release: February 26, 2026,

On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, The Eden Police Department received a report in reference to a sexual assault.

After a thorough investigation Detective Robbie Deel secured warrants on 67-year-old Andrew Sanchez Rico for the following:

• 1 Count: Second degree forcible sexual offense (Felony)
• 1 Count: Assault on a female (Misd)

Andrew Sanchez Rico received No Bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court on March 12, 2026.

At this time, the investigation is ongoing and no further information will be released.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Robbie Deel or Lieutenant David Stepps at 336-623-9755 (24hr) or 336-623-9240 ext. 3255 8 am-6 pm.

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can also call Rockingham County Crime Stoppers at 336-349-9683.