Update at 2:25 p.m. on 8/19/22 — Arlington police have released additional information about this incident in Friday’s daily crime report. A 34-year-old man was arrested and a knife — not a gun — recovered from the scene, ACPD said.
ASSAULT AND BATTERY (Significant), 2022-08180122, 2400 block of Washington Boulevard. At approximately 1:22 p.m. on August 18th, a plain clothes officer was in the area when he observed the male suspect allegedly brandish a weapon during a dispute with another individual. Additional officers responded to the area and located the suspect who refused to comply with the offices’ commands and fled the scene on foot. Officers canvassed the area, located the suspect in the unit block of N. Bedford Street and took him into custody without incident. During the course of the investigation, a knife was recovered. No injuries were reported. Saul Leal, 34, of Arlington, VA was arrested and charged with Assault and Battery. He was held on a $1,000 bond.
Earlier: Police have a suspect in custody after a man allegedly seen with a gun ran from officers in the Lyon Park area.
Officers and at least one K-9 unit on the ground, as well as the U.S. Park Police helicopter in the air, were looking for the man, who reportedly brandished a weapon at an officer along the 2400 block of Washington Blvd, near the Route 50 ramps, and then ran off.
After a search of the area, a suspect was taken into custody without incident, according to scanner traffic.
Residents should expect to see continued police activity in the area, though the response is now being scaled down. Nearby Long Branch Elementary School was placed in “secure the school mode” during the search, according to scanner traffic. Some roads were also blocked during the search.
POLICE ACTIVITY: ACPD investigated the report of a brandishing in the 2400 block of Washington Boulevard. The suspect has been detained. Expect continued police activity in the area. pic.twitter.com/N93uIQfyfi
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) August 18, 2022
Hey @ARLnowDOTcom and @ArlingtonVaPD a cruiser just went flying down Pershing eastbound going about 60 mph…what's happening?! #arlingtonvapd #arlnowdotcom
— John Michie (@MichieIV) August 18, 2022