A man has been accused of stealing from a Lyon Park church.
Police were called to the Clarendon United Methodist Church just before midnight Saturday for a “report of a burglary in progress.” A man who had broken into the church before had burglarized the church and was leaving the building with several items when officers arrived, according to Arlington County Police.
More from this week’s ACPD crime report:
BURGLARY, 2019-04200282, 600 block of N. Irving Street. At approximately 11:48 p.m. on April 20, police were dispatched to the report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, it was determined that the property manager was alerted to the presence of a known male suspect who had gained entry to a church. Arriving officers located the suspect exiting the building in possession of items allegedly stolen from inside. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the suspect had entered the building unlawfully on multiple prior occasions. William Barker, 56, of No Fixed Address, was arrested and charged with Burglary (x2) and Trespassing (x2).
More highlights from this week’s crime report, including some we’ve already reported, are below.
UNLAWFUL ENTRY (late), 2019-0423006, 1900 block of S. Eads Street. At approximately 9:28 a.m. on April 23, police were dispatched to the late report of breaking and entering. Upon arrival, it was determined that at approximately 2:57 a.m. an unknown male suspect gained entry to the lounge of an apartment building, where he stayed until approximately 5:20 a.m. when he left the building prior to police notification. Nothing was reported missing from the building. The suspect is described as a white male with a beard and moustache, wearing a light gray shirt under a dark blue hooded sweatshirt, dark pants, black shoes and a black hat. The investigation is ongoing.
ROBBERY, 2019-04210144, 2600 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 5:13 p.m. on April 21, police were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery that just occurred. A male suspect allegedly entered a business, brandished a firearm, stole an undisclosed amount of cash and personal property from the victims before fleeing the scene. A responding officer observed the suspect vehicle and attempted a traffic stop on I-395 North at Boundary Channel. Once the officer exited his vehicle, the suspect fled the scene and a vehicle pursuit was initiated onto northbound George Washington Parkway. While on the George Washington Parkway, officers observed the suspect vehicle drive on the pedestrian path, turn around and begin driving southbound in the northbound lanes. At that time, the vehicle pursuit was terminated by police. The suspect continued to drive towards the Potomac River, exited the vehicle and attempted to flee the scene on foot. As the vehicle careened into the Potomac River, the suspect entered the water and attempted to swim but was subsequently taken into police custody. The suspect was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Freddie Lee McRae, 33, of Temple Hills, MD, was arrested and charged with Robbery, Felony Eluding, Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony and Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon.
MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2019-04180286, 500 block of 12th Street S. At approximately 11:17 p.m. on April 18, police were dispatched to the report of an assault by mob just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim was walking in the area when a group of six to eight males began following him. The group confronted the victim, knocked him to the ground and assaulted him, resulting in a laceration. The suspects fled on foot prior to police arrival. The victim was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. The suspects are described as a group of six to eight black males, all approximately 16-18 years old with thin builds. The investigation is ongoing.
ATTEMPTED BURGLARY (late), 2019-04210110, 2500 block of S. Walter Reed Drive. At approximately 2:02 p.m. on April 21, police were dispatched to the late report of an attempted burglary. Upon arrival, it was determined that between approximately 9:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m., an unknown suspect attempted to gain entry to a residence unsuccessfully. Nothing was reported stolen from the residence. There is no suspect description. The investigation is ongoing.
ROBBERY, 2019-04170251, 1000 block of S. Hayes Street. At approximately 8:49 p.m. on April 17, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim was walking in the area when he felt someone tugging on his bag from behind. Two suspects allegedly grabbed the victim from behind, unbuckling the strap to the bag, and stole the bag before fleeing on foot. Arriving officers canvased the area and observed the suspects entering the Metro, where they were taken into custody without incident. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the same two suspects, along with a third unknown suspect, had previously approached a second victim inside of a store and attempted to distract her, while the third suspect allegedly unbuckled the victim’s bag and fled. Michael McKelvin, 18, of Clinton, Md., was arrested and charged with Grand Larceny: Pocket Picking. Petitions for Robbery were sought for the juvenile suspect. The third suspect is described as a thin, light skinned black male in his late teens. The investigation is ongoing.