3 arrested after furniture, smoking devices stolen in Caroline
May 01, 2026
CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Three people were arrested after multiple break-ins in Caroline County, during which furniture and "a significant number of smoking devices" were stolen.
On Wednesday, April 29, deputies with the Caroline County Sheriff's Office made arrests in connection with an ongo
ing investigation into two break-ins.
The first break-in took place at the Tobacco Villa on Fredericksburg Villa, with a large number of smoking devices being stolen from the business. Shortly after, a Milford-area home was burglarized. While the home was for sale and unoccupied, furniture was stolen from inside.
The investigator on this case, N. Notgrass, interviewed neighbors and studied the Tobacco Villa's surveillance footage. Using that information, he developed a possible suspect.
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Notgrass then headed down to where he believed his suspect to live: a home on Fairmont Avenue in Richmond. According to authorities, he could see some of the stolen furniture inside the home.
A search warrant was then served on the home. Authorities recovered the stolen furniture and smoking devices, as well as three firearms, a large amount of ammunition and suspected methamphetamine.
Three people -- those being 19-year-old Joseph Vernon Mills, III of Caroline, 20-year-old Zachary Steven Cobbett of Maine and 29-year-old Blake Steven Ritter of Maine -- were arrested following the search.
They were each charged with two counts of breaking and entering, grand larceny, petit larceny and conspiracy to commit a felony. All of them are being held without bond as of the time of reporting.
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"This case highlights the persistence and dedication of our investigators, who worked diligently to identify those responsible and recover stolen property for the victims," said Caroline Sheriff Scott Moser. "We are grateful for our strong partnership with the Richmond Police Department and with our citizens who provided information, which was instrumental in bringing this case to a successful outcome."
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