Waynesboro Police Department

06/01/2026

PUBLIC WORKS IS SHARING A TRAFFIC IMPACT NEAR WAYNESBORO HIGH SCHOOL WITH A ROAD CLOSURE FROM JUNE 1 - 14, 2026 (AFFECTED BUSINESSES WILL BE ACCESSIBLE)

TRAFFIC IMPACT — WAYNESBORO HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT
Beginning Monday, June 1 through Sunday, June 14, 2026, a section of Main Street near Waynesboro High School will be closed for utility work related to the high school construction project.
Closure Area:
Main Street between Poplar Avenue and New Hope Road
This work will support multiple underground utility connections for the new classroom addition and gymnasium project. Detour signage will be in place around the work zone using Broad Street.
Important Information:
• Local businesses within the affected area will remain open and accessible to customers during construction
• “Local Traffic Only” signage will help maintain customer access within the closure area
• Access to businesses and nearby properties will be facilitated throughout the project
• Sidewalks near active excavation areas may be temporarily restricted for pedestrian safety
We appreciate the cooperation of nearby businesses, residents, and motorists as this work is completed safely and as efficiently as possible during summer break operations.
Please use caution near the work zone and follow posted traffic control signage.

05/28/2026

Congratulations to Our Newly Sworn Officers!

The Waynesboro Police Department is honored to congratulate Officer Ryan Smith, Officer Grayson Blye, and Officer Brian Meyer on their successful graduation from the 154th Basic Law Enforcement Class at the Central Shenandoah Valley Criminal Justice Training Academy.

These officers have demonstrated exceptional dedication and professionalism throughout their training, and we are proud to welcome them into the next phase of their careers.

Please join us in wishing them continued success and safety as they begin Field Training and step into their roles serving the Waynesboro community.

Welcome aboard, Officers!
(Pictured left to right: Officer Smith, Officer Blye, and Officer Meyer)

05/25/2026

05/20/2026

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Salute of Virginia for inviting us to participate in their Open House event in support of veteran resources within our community. It was an honor to engage with veterans, families, and community partners dedicated to ensuring those who have served our country receive the support and resources they deserve.

05/19/2026

The Waynesboro Police Department is investigating an overnight shooting incident.

On Monday, May 18, 2026, at approximately 8:52 p.m., Waynesboro Police officers responded to the 1500 Block of North Delphine Avenue for reports of a shooting.

The initial investigation indicates that this was an isolated incident involving a confrontation between two individuals who know each other. During the altercation, one individual produced a handgun and fired in the direction of the other, striking the 25-year-old male victim from Waynesboro once. The victim sustained a non-life-threatening injury and was transported to a local hospital for treatment before being released.

The shooting suspect is identified as Joseph William Kestner, Jr., 23, of Waynesboro. He is currently wanted on the following alleged charges:

· § 18.2-53.1 - Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony; (Felony)
· § 18.2-51 - Maliciously Shoot with Intent; (Felony)
· § 18.2-56.1 - Reckless Handling of a Firearm; (Misdemeanor)
· § 50-3- Discharging a firearm in the city limits. (Misdemeanor)

Waynesboro Police, assisted by the Virginia State Police, Augusta County Sheriff’s Office, and Staunton Police Department, searched the area where Kestner was last seen fleeing on foot, but were unable to locate him or the firearm. His whereabouts are currently unknown, but investigative efforts continue to find and arrest him.

Anyone with information about the incident or information regarding Kestner’s current whereabouts is encouraged to call the Waynesboro Police Department at 540-942-6675. Callers may remain anonymous.

***UPDATE***

On May 19, 2026, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Task Force, Joseph William Kestner, Jr. was arrested on the outstanding charges from this incident. Once in custody, Kestner was taken before a State Magistrate by Waynesboro Officers. Kestner was held without bond and transported to Middle River Regional Jail pending court.

The Waynesboro Police Department would like to thank the Virginia State Police, Augusta County Sheriff’s Office, Staunton Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Task Force for their assistance during this incident.

05/18/2026

The Waynesboro Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a female who was allegedly involved in a hit and run traffic crash that occurred in the area of East Broad Street and East Main Street on May 11, 2026.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer J. Hensell at 540-942-6675.

Thank you for your assistance.

05/18/2026

As National Police Week comes to a close, the men and women of the Waynesboro Police Department would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the citizens of the Waynesboro community for the continued support, encouragement, and kindness shown to our officers each and every day. Your appreciation means more than words can express and serves as a reminder of the strong partnership we share with our community.

We would also like to recognize and thank the following businesses, organizations, and individuals for their generous donations and support during National Police Week:

• Waynesboro Moose Lodge
• Rocking R Hardware
• The River Burger Bar
• Dominion Outdoors
• Sharp Shopper
• Big Ridge Guns & Archery
• Outback
• Sam’s Hot Dogs
• Kline’s
• Fish N Pig
• Golden Corral
• Plaza Antigua
• Jersey Mike’s
• Point Church
• Dominos
• Amazon
• Martins Grocery
• Target
• Charlie Obaugh
• McDonald’s
• Kitchen Cook’d
• City National Bank
• Little Debbie
• 5.11
• Walmart
• Hershey
• Panera Bread
• Buffalo Wild Wings



Your generosity and support helped make this week especially meaningful for our department. We are proud to serve a community that consistently stands behind its first responders.
From all of us at the Waynesboro Police Department — thank you for your continued support, partnership, and encouragement. We are honored to serve the Waynesboro community.

05/16/2026

🚧 Traffic Reminder – Virginia Street Arts Festival

As the Virginia Street Arts Festival continues through the weekend, the Waynesboro Police Department would like to remind citizens and visitors that the downtown area remains closed to through traffic today and into tomorrow.

Motorists should continue to expect significant traffic impacts in and around:

• Wayne Avenue
• Federal Avenue
• W. Main Street
• Arch Avenue
• Church Street

Please plan alternate routes, allow for additional travel time, and use extra caution due to the large amount of pedestrian activity in the downtown area.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation while supporting another great community event in the City of Waynesboro. We hope everyone is enjoying the festival and staying safe!

05/15/2026

On May 14, 2026, Waynesboro Police officers arrested a local man following an investigation into a domestic incident that escalated into several felony charges.

On May 13, 2026, at approximately 10:15 p.m., Waynesboro Police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of East Main Street to conduct a welfare check. During the initial encounter, based on information presented at the time, officers determined that no crime had occurred and provided advice to the parties involved.

At approximately 2:30 a.m. on May 14, officers obtained further information and evidence regarding the previous altercation, indicating that multiple crimes had allegedly occurred, resulting in the victim having injuries consistent with strangulation and domestic assault. The subsequent investigation led to the identification of Brock J. Johnson, 47, of Waynesboro, as the alleged suspect.

After obtaining multiple warrants, officers returned to the residence on East Main Street, where Johnson was taken into custody.

Johnson has been charged with the following alleged violations of the Code of Virginia in relation to this incident:

• §18.2-47 – Abduction (Felony)
• §18.2-51.6 – Strangulation (Felony)
• §18.2-67.2 – Animate Sexual Pe*******on (Felony)
• §18.2-57.2 – Domestic Assault (Misdemeanor)
• §19.2-123 – Bond Revocation (Two Misdemeanor Counts)

Johnson was arrested and transported to the Middle River Regional Jail, where he is currently being held pending court.

05/13/2026

The Waynesboro Police Department has charged an individual with multiple alleged violations stemming from an approximately 6-month-long criminal investigation.

Jeffrey L. Argenbright, a 53-year-old male from Waynesboro, was charged in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation in the city's southeast area involving multiple alleged counts of Solicitation of a Minor and Carnal Knowledge.

Argenbright was charged with the following alleged violations of the Virginia Code:

• §18.2-374.3 (D): Using a Communication System to Solicit a Child (10 Felony Counts)
• §18.2-63: Carnal Knowledge of a child (2 Felony Counts)

As of this release, Argenbright remains incarcerated at Middle River Regional Jail pending court.

No further information will be released at this time.