LURAY VA: (Rocktown Now) – Page County authorities say a welfare check on Lucas Hollow Road escalated into a bomb investigation and felony arrest late Friday, May 16, 2026.
Deputies were dispatched to the 1400 block of Lucas Hollow Road after a report of a possible domestic disturbance involving a woman at the residence. According to the Page County Sheriff’s Office, the woman told deputies that a man had been “screeching his wheels” in front of the home and that she heard two loud explosions outside shortly afterward.
While searching the area, deputies located the man’s vehicle but briefly lost sight of it. The vehicle was later found abandoned nearby. When deputies approached it, they spotted what appeared to be an explosive device inside. The area was immediately secured, and the Virginia State Police Bomb Unit was called to the scene.
Bomb technicians and an explosives K9 retrieved the suspected device and rendered it safe.
Investigators identified the suspect as Russell Timothy Ropka, 40, of Stanley. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with two counts of Va. §18.2‑85, which covers the manufacture, transport, distribution, possession, or use of explosive devices. Ropka was booked at the Page County Jail and is being held without bond.
The Sheriff’s Office said the operation involved assistance from the Virginia State Police, Shenandoah Police Department, Page County Fire/EMS, Stanley Volunteer Fire Department, and the Page County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
