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Don't be a victim: summer crime prevention tips

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT)- As summer break gets underway, many families plan for vacation get-aways and some fun-in-the sun, but police say with summer also usually comes an increase in crime.

Planning ahead, though, can help you protect your family. Police say it's essential you remember to lock your car, lock your house, and close that garage.  

"Usually when school lets out, unfortunately kids don't always have a lot of things to do so they have idle time and sometimes they do things they shouldn't do," said Cpl. Scott Gordon, a crime prevention specialist with the Chesterfield Police Department.  "We see a lot of vandalisms go up, car break-ins."

Police say young criminals are often interested in what you might be keeping in your garage, especially if you have a refrigerator with alcohol in it.

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MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK: Martin's prescription savings card

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- Frugal shoppers use loyalty cards to get discounts at grocery stores. Now there's one that can save you money at the pharmacy.

If you've ever had sticker shock when picking up your medicine, Martin's has a solution to save you some money. The store has launched its new prescription savings card for medicines insurance doesn't cover. Low-cost, fixed-price generics now fall under this program.

"It's an enhancement to our $4 and $10 generics, so now instead of getting generics for $4 and $10, we offer discounts on brand name medications as well," said Martin's pharmacy manager Tim Robertson.

Here's how it works: you ask your pharmacist for the application, fill it out and return it. Then your card is ready to use. There is a $10 fee to join, but you get that $10 back in the form of a gift card.

PHOTOS: PETA releases list of top 10 vegan-friendly cities

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- PETA has released its list of the top 10 most vegan-friendly cities, and Richmond grabs the number 10 spot.

"Richmond's bustling vegan scene is no longer a well-kept secret," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman.

Some of the vegan-friendly shops PETA notes are Phoenix Garden, Harrison Street Café, Ipanema, 821 Café, Strange Matter, and street vendor Rooster Cart.

Click here to see the slideshow for the top 10 cities: http://www.nbc12.com/slideshow?widgetid=82382&clienttype=generic&mobilecgbypass

Copyright 2013 WWBT NBC12.  All rights reserved.

Friends remember suicide victim by decorating tunnel

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT)- Tragedy hit twice in one week for Cosby High School students. A recent graduate and soldier, Kyle Stoeckli died after being killed in Afghanistan and 17-year-old teen, Cal Reilly, died just days before graduation after committing suicide.

Several students from Cosby High School's graduation wore a purple ribbon in honor of Cal Reilly at graduation.

There were also purple ribbons in the place where he passed away. As you enter the tunnel on the bike path, where he reportedly died, you can see just how many people this teenager touched.

The words are bold and colorful, spray painted on the dark cement walls of the Hampton Park neighborhood. There are also handwritten notes, flowers, candles, and mementos on the ground below.

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MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK: Score rewards with good grades

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- The last report cards of the year will be coming home soon, and parents aren't the only ones who like to reward their kids for good grades. You can use those A's and B's to score hot deals at businesses all over town.

Liz Costello created CompletelyKidsRichmond.com as a resource for parents, and she's got the freebie honor roll!

"They know how hard kids are working, and they want them to understand how much their grades will mean going forward and how important it is to learn," said Costello.

At the Krispy Kreme store, an 'A' equals a doughnut. Children in sixth grade or younger can receive up to a half a dozen free.

Bowl America's "rolling rewards" gives your child one free game of bowling for every 'A' or 'B' earned on the final report card.

15-year-old crashes sister's car into Chesterfield apartment

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT)- A 15-year-old smashed his older sister's car into an apartment in Chesterfield Thursday afternoon, causing the wall of a residence to crumble, according to police.

The boy's 21-year-old sister gave him the keys to her car, according to police. The teen then hit the gas instead of the brake and hit the wall of the Sterling Glen Apartments around 12:30 p.m.

No one was injured, however both siblings were ticketed. The 15-year-old was ticketed for reckless driving and driving without a license. The 21-year-old was ticketed for allowing an unlicensed driver to drive her vehicle.

A tenant says they can't return to their apartment as the building is being checked for structural stability.

Copyright 2013 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved

Chesterfield arson suspect expected in court

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT)- A Chesterfield man accused in a number of arsons will be in court Thursday.

William Morrissette IV faces six counts of arson. Police say Morrissette set piles of paper on fire in an outside stairwell at Tactics Branding. That's a county business, just off  of Huguenot Road near Robious.

The six fires date back to mid-February. 

Copyright 2013 WWBT NBC12.  All rights reserved.