Man Sentenced to 3 Years After Pleading Guilty to Breaking Into, Stealing from Bayview Home in 2024

NORFOLK, Va. — Timothy Alan Newell, 37, was sentenced on Friday to serve three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to burglary and grand larceny for breaking into a house last year while the owner was away and stealing valuables, money, and a vehicle that was parked outside.

Mr. Newell broke into the residence, located in the 1800 block of East Bayview Boulevard, while the homeowner was away for an extended period. The homeowner’s friend, who was checking on the property during that time, noticed on March 14, 2024, that the back door was open and that the house had been burglarized. After doing a virtual walkthrough of the house on a video call with that friend, the homeowner determined that several thousand dollars in cash as well as jewelry, clothing, and other items had been stolen. A family member’s car that was parked in the driveway had been stolen as well. All the stolen valuables were reported to Norfolk Police.

The following day, a Chesapeake Police officer saw the stolen vehicle being driven by Mr. Newell and pulled Mr. Newell over. After arresting Mr. Newell, the officer searched him and found about $6,000 in cash (sorted into five envelopes which had the victim’s handwriting on them) in Mr. Newell’s jacket pockets. Mr. Newell was also wearing some of the victim’s jewelry and a shirt of hers at the time of his arrest. Once the victim returned home, she noticed Mr. Newell had left behind his wallet during the burglary.

On April 1, 2025, Mr. Newell entered an agreement to plead guilty to one count each of burglary and grand larceny and face an active sentence of up to three years and eight months in prison, the midpoint of his state sentencing guidelines. In exchange for his guilty pleas, the Commonwealth agreed to dismiss another charge from this incident. Judge Robert B. Rigney accepted Mr. Newell’s plea agreement, found him guilty, and set Mr. Newell’s sentencing hearing on June 27.

Mr. Newell, who was not in custody at the time of his guilty plea, did not appear for his sentencing hearing in June, and the court issued a warrant for his arrest. Mr. Newell was located and arrested in August, and his sentencing date was set again for Oct. 3.

On Friday, after hearing sentencing arguments from the Commonwealth and defense, Judge Rigney sentenced Mr. Newell to serve three years in prison and suspended another seven years on the conditions that Mr. Newell complete one year of supervision and three years of good behavior following his release and that he pay $4,000 in restitution to the homeowner.

“Breaking into someone’s home is more than just a ‘property crime,’” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Mr. Newell took advantage of the victim’s absence, and, more important than stealing her belongings, he assailed her sense of safety and security in her home. I commend the victim’s friend and the Norfolk and Chesapeake Police for their quick action in helping us hold Mr. Newell accountable.”

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Abigail L. Ottinger prosecuted Mr. Newell’s case at sentencing, and Norfolk Police Detective John A. Schraft Jr. led the investigation.

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Man Pleads Guilty to Breaking Into, Stealing From Bayview Home While Property Owner Was Away in 2024

NORFOLK, Va. — Timothy Alan Newell, 36, pleaded guilty on April 1 to burglary and grand larceny after he broke into a house last year and stole valuables, money, and a vehicle that was parked outside.

Mr. Newell broke into the residence, located in the 1800 block of East Bayview Boulevard, while the homeowner was away for an extended period. The homeowner’s friend, who was checking on the property during that time, noticed on March 14, 2024, that the back door was open and that the house had been burglarized. After doing a virtual walkthrough of the house on a video call with that friend, the homeowner determined that several thousand dollars in cash as well as jewelry, clothing, and other items had been stolen. A family member’s car that was parked in the driveway had been stolen as well. All the stolen valuables were reported to Norfolk Police.

The following day, a Chesapeake Police officer saw the stolen vehicle being driven by Mr. Newell and pulled Mr. Newell over. After arresting Mr. Newell, the officer searched him and found about $6,000 in cash (sorted into five envelopes which had the victim’s handwriting on them) in Mr. Newell’s jacket pockets. Mr. Newell was also wearing some of the victim’s jewelry and a shirt of hers at the time of his arrest. Once the victim returned home, she noticed Mr. Newell had left behind his wallet during the burglary.

On April 1, Mr. Newell entered an agreement to plead guilty to one count each of burglary and grand larceny and face an active sentence of up to three years and eight months in prison, the midpoint of his state sentencing guidelines. In exchange for his guilty pleas, the Commonwealth agreed to dismiss another charge from this incident. Judge Robert B. Rigney accepted Mr. Newell’s plea agreement, found him guilty, and set his sentencing hearing on June 27.

“Someone who burgles another’s home is not just stealing property; they are stealing the sense of security that a person has in her home,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “At sentencing we intend to seek a term in prison consistent with Mr. Newell’s criminal history and the harm that he caused the victim here. We hope that the conviction and the upcoming sentencing will afford some closure to the victim.”

Former Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney David A. Johnson prosecuted Mr. Newell’s case, and Norfolk Police Detective John A. Schraft Jr. led the investigation.

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