CHAPTER 454

AN ACT to amend and reenact § 52-20 of the Code of 1950, relating
to arrest without warrant so as to extend such power to
additional officer's.

[S 146]

Approved April 7, 1950

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 52-20 of the Code of 1950 be amended and reenacted
as follows:

§ 52-20. Arrests without warrants in certain cases.—Members
of the State Police force of the Commonwealth, the sheriffs of the
various counties, and their deputies, the members of any county
police force, the members of any duly constituted police force of
any city or town of the Commonwealth and the special policemen
of the counties as provided by § 15-562, Code of Virginia 1950,
provided such officers are in uniform, or displaying a badge of
office, may, at the scene of any motor vehicle accident, or in the
apprehension of any person charged with the theft of any motor
rchicle, on any of the highways of the Commonwealth, upon reason-
able grounds to believe, based upon personal investigation, includ-
ing information obtained from eyewitnesses, that a crime has been
committed by any person then and there present, apprehend such
person without a warrant of arrest; and such officers may arrest,
without a warrant, persons duly charged with crime in another
jurisdiction upon receipt of a telegram, a radio or teletype mes-
sage, in which telegram, radio or teletype message shall be given
the name or a reasonably accurate description of such person
wanted, the crime alleged and an allegation that such person is
likely to flee the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth.