Gilbert Real Estate, located on the 600 block of Calhoun Street in Radford, is located directly across the street from Radford University.
Share
When Ross Truett Ashley asked to speak to the manager at Gilbert Real Estate in Radford, Va., Wednesday night, the receptionist didn’t suspect anything, according to the company’s owner Jim Gilbert.
It isn’t atypical for college students to ask for the manager, Gilbert said, so the receptionist granted Ashley’s request. His demeanor was apparently non-violent at that point.
However, when Ashley, who Gilbert thinks was wearing a black hat, black shirt and jeans, approached the manager — Joyce Bennett, a New River Valley resident — he demanded the keys to her white 2011 Mercedes SUV.
“She thought the guy was kidding,” Gilbert said. “He just asked.”
But Ashley was not joking. Ashley pulled out a pistol and held it toward Bennett, ordering her to give him her keys. Bennett complied, Gilbert said.
After Ashley left with the vehicle, the police were called, and they arrived within four minutes. The SUV was later found on the Smart Road at Virginia Tech and was returned to Bennett on Thursday undamaged.
Gilbert is proud of how his employees handled the situation, especially Bennett, who he describes as a “strong woman.”
“(Bennett) is the best manager I have ever had,” he said. “Her character shows that she took a stand, and she has decided she is not going to let this hold her back.”
Overall, Gilbert said he is just glad no one was hurt in the incident.
Gilbert Real Estate, which is located on the 600 block of Calhoun Street in Radford, has been closed since Wednesday’s incident, but is set to reopen on Monday, at which time Bennett will also return to work.
Gilbert was not present when these events unraveled; however, he has received the information from those who were.
A version of this article appeared in the Dec 12 issue of the Collegiate Times.
Leave a comment 14 Comments Write a letter to the editor
All letters to the editor must include a name, e-mail, daytime phone number and affiliation to Virginia Tech. Affiliation includes: year and major for students; position and department for faculty and staff; current city for alumni and parents.
I'm sure that would catch anyone by surprise.
Reply to this Top
How exactly do we know it was Ashley who brandished the weapon and stole the car? Did the receptionist ID him out of a photo lineup? Did she recognize him from the photos printed in the media? Were his fingerprints found in the abandoned vehicle? We don't know any of this...
Also, the car was found on the Smart Road--which is monitored 24/7 by live people and surveillance cameras. Let's see the video already!
Reply to this Top
I've either seen or heard (can't rem. which) that he was a tenant of theirs.
Reply to this Top
FYI, not 100% of the Smart Road has video surveillance, and I'm not sure if these video cameras are recording 24/7. I believe the recording is only activated on particular cameras and only for relevant portions of the road, depending on what study is taking place.
Reply to this Top
Well as we all know now, the kid was a tenant to one of the many buildings that Gilbert owns. Ms. Bennett and the other receptionist DID recognize him.
Reply to this Top
Could someone please clarify about how he left the car on the "smart road". Access to the smart road is operated by VTTI. The smart road itself is gated with a locked chain link fence and there is no public access to the road. In fact, VTTI charges $ for clients to use the road (or as part of internal research projects). You can't just drive onto it and leave a car there. So did he leave the SUV near the entrance gate? Did he blast thru the chain-link fence? Did he offroad 4wheel thru some woods/mud to get to the road, i.e. go around the fence somehow? Do they refer to the "smart road" as the half finished exits at the 460 - S main st intersection/flyovers? (side note, if you look those exits aren't actually connected to the real smart road) I think there needs to be more clarification about this. Where SPECIFICALLY was the car left, and how did it get there (if it was inside a supposedly locked/fenced area)?
Also, i agree with "someone familiar with the Smart Road" regarding the cameras not covering 100% of the road and not being on 24/7, but only on during an active study.
Reply to this Top
As a real estate agent with http://www.manhattan-condos-for-sale.com/ in New York, we heard about this story, and are very happy that the alleged gunmen were found!
Reply to this Top
Car jacking & the Spanish Inquisition - expected by nobody
Reply to this Top
Amazing! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It's on a entirely different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!
cheap north face coats http://northfacecoats.manifo.com/blog/north-face-men%E2%80%99s-apex-bionic-invest-one-good-upper-class-for-all-you-know
Reply to this Top
As I website possessor I believe the content material here is rattling excellent , appreciate it for your hard work. You should keep it up forever! Good Luck. Mulberry Online http://mulberryonline.v5s7.com
Reply to this Top
My spouse and i felt quite comfortable that Chris could conclude his investigations through the ideas he made in your web site. It's not at all simplistic to simply be giving for free tips and hints that most people may have been trying to sell. We really acknowledge we've got the writer to appreciate for that. These illustrations you've made, the straightforward blog navigation, the relationships you can aid to instill - it's all exceptional, and it's making our son and the family know that this subject is interesting, and that's pretty indispensable. Thanks for the whole lot! Michael Kors Online http://michaelkorsonline.v5s7.com
Reply to this Top
I've read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you some interesting things or suggestions. Jones sabo buyers move http://sdt.uni-dubna.ru/school/node/53494
Reply to this Top
I care for such info a lot. Jones sabo 25 amongst 191 http://lazair.com/pilots/viewtopic.php?p=553440#553440
Reply to this Top
Thanks for the guide
Reply to this Top