Dennis Ray Blankenship, Jr.
Radford City Police are continuing their search for a Bluefield, W.Va., man whom they consider “dangerous” in the wake of a domestic assault incident in Radford.
Police were called to a residence in the 300 block of Fairfax Street Sunday morning at 12:07 in response to a report of a fight. Arriving officers found a female victim who reported that her estranged husband, Dennis Ray Blankenship, Jr., had made unwanted sexual advances towards her. She told officers Blankenship became angry when she refused to participate, and he assaulted her by slamming her against a wall, and putting his hand on her throat. She said she was able to remove herself from the assault, but Blankenship blocked her exit from the residence twice before she was able to escape to a neighbor’s home and contact emergency services. Blankenship fled the scene before police arrival.
Blankenship is wanted by the Radford City Police Department on charges of misdemeanor domestic assault and battery (Virginia Code section 18.2-57.2); felony strangulation (code section 18.2 – 51.6) and felony abduction (code section 18.2 –47). An Emergency Protective Order has also been issued.
Blankenship is a white male, age 36, 5’11” tall, weighing 185 pounds, with black hair and hazel eyes. He has connections in West Virginia and the New River Valley. It is not known whether Blankenship is armed, but Radford police say he should be considered dangerous as he refused to turn himself in when requested to by the police.
Any citizens with information as to Blankenship’s whereabouts are asked to contact the
Radford Police Department Crime Line at 540-731-5040 or crimestoppers@radfordva.gov.