Essex man may be behind string of burglaries

Police in Shenandoah have arrested a man from Essex they think is behind a string of break-ins, thefts, and at least one attack on a woman at a home. Page County Sheriff Richard Davidson says 20-year-old Justin Hardesty is charged in connection with a break-in and sexual assault August 30. Davidson says authorities from the state DCI joined Essex and Shenandoah police departments and the Page County Sheriff’s department in a long investigation.He says they have “significant evidence” that Hardesty was involved with other burglaries and he anticipates more charges will be filed. Nerves have been frazzled since the assault, and Davidson says everyone’s glad to see an arrest in the case.