Launched in January 2010, ARLnow.com is the place for the latest news, views and things to do around Arlington, Virginia. Started by a Pentagon City resident who has spent the past several years working in local TV news, ARLnow.com seeks to distinguish itself with original, enterprising, up-to-the-minute local coverage.
SEXUAL BATTERY, 2022-11280277, 1300 block of N. Troy Street. At approximately 10:38 p.m. on November 28, police were dispatched to the report of a sexual battery. Upon arrival, it was determined the female victim was walking in the area when the unknown male suspect approached her from behind, lifted her jacket and touched her inappropriately. The victim screamed and the suspect fled the scene. The suspect is described as a younger, unknown race male, approximately 5’6″ – 5’7″ tall with a skinny build and wearing dark clothing. The investigation is ongoing.
The victim posted on Reddit about the incident to warn other women in the area and ask whether anyone got a better look at the suspect. She noted that “I’ve never felt scared to walk alone in Arlington before.”
From the post:
This is half PSA and half plea for information.
Last night at 10:35 I was walking my little 12 lb dog up North Troy street by the Palatine apartment building when a man came up behind me, lifted up my jacket, and grabbed my crotch and pulled at my pants. I immediately shrieked and he went running south back down Troy. It all happened so fast I didn’t get a good look at the guy. He had a black hoodie on with the hood up and black sweatpants. I didn’t see his face. My best guess is that he’s between 5’6″ and 5’8 and probably young-ish based on light build and his swift speed.
I called the police (the police station is literally half a block away from where this happened) and they were very kind and professional but I’m just so frustrated I couldn’t really give them any info about this guy. So, if you live in the area and think you saw anything (I screamed really [expletive] loud – maybe somebody looked out the window and saw what shoes he was wearing or something?), please let me know.
Also, ladies, please keep an eye out. This guy appeared out of nowhere – my best guess is he was hiding in some shrubs – and it seems like he’s done this before and I would guess will do it again. I usually do this walk with my husband but he’s sick right now so last night I was out by myself for the first time in a while. I’m so sad. I’ve never felt scared to walk alone in Arlington before.
Holiday decorations at Ballston Exchange (staff photo)
Today: Road Closures in Shirlington — “The annual Light Up the Village at Shirlington will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Set-up for the event will begin at approximately 12:00 p.m. and clean-up is expected to be completed by 9:00 p.m. The Arlington County Police Department will conduct the following road closures to accommodate the event.” [ACPD]
Obit for Local Civic Figure — “Burt Bostwick was a man who believed the Arlington County government could simultaneously provide ample services while keeping spending in check. Active in a host of roles through the years with the Arlington County Civic Federation, Bostwick was a voice that acknowledged there could be benefits to an expansive local government, but that it needed to be achieved without breaking the bank – or the backs of local taxpayers. Bostwick died Nov. 23 after a yearlong battle with cancer. He was 81 years old.” [Sun Gazette]
It’s December — Clear and chilly throughout the day. High of 45 and low of 33. Sunrise at 7:10 am and sunset at 4:48 pm. [Weather.gov]
The least expensive condo, single-family home or townhouse sale over the past seven days was $78,000 while the most expensive was $2,125,000.
Over the past month, meanwhile, a total of 52 single-family homes were sold. Let’s take a look at some of the most and least expensive homes sold over the past month.
U.S. Park Police helicopter over the Potomac (file photo)
Arlington police got an assist from their Park Service counterparts on an armed robbery Monday morning.
The incident happened in the Crystal City area around 7:15 a.m. According to a crime report, a man with a gun stole cash from an unnamed business, then fled on foot.
The U.S. Park Police helicopter was called in and the suspect was located across the river in East Potomac Park, where he was arrested. He was armed with a BB gun, police determined.
More from ACPD:
ROBBERY, 2022-11280044, 2400 block of Richmond Highway. At approximately 7:16 a.m. on November 28, police were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect entered the business, approached the counter, brandished a weapon, and demanded money from the employee. The suspect then fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. A perimeter was established and the area was searched with the assistance of the U.S. Park Police Helicopter. The suspect was located near East Potomac Park in Washington D.C. and taken into custody without incident. During a search of his person incident to arrest, a BB gun was recovered. [The suspect], 31, of Washington D.C. was arrested and charged in Arlington County with Armed Robbery, Possession of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of a Firearm while Active Subject of a Protective Order. He is being held by U.S. Park Police on separate charges.
Rain drops in Ballston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Charges Dropped Against Fmr. D.C. Official — “Prosecutors on Tuesday dropped an assault-and-battery charge against former D.C. deputy mayor of public safety and justice Christopher Geldart, who resigned in October after a personal trainer accused him of grabbing his throat in a gym parking lot and a resulting police statement triggered questions about whether he was meeting a requirement to live within city limits.” [Washington Post, WUSA 9]
Arlington Has Another Public Company HQ — “Leonardo DRS Inc., the Arlington subsidiary of Italian defense and space contractor Leonardo SpA, is Greater Washington’s newest public company. The company said after markets closed Monday afternoon that it had completed its all-stock deal to merge with Israel’s Rada Electronic Industries Ltd… Effective Tuesday, Rada’s existing stock symbol will be converted to Leonardo DRS and will be listed on the Nasdaq.” [Washington Business Journal]
Crystal City Company Expanding — “Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that Technomics, Inc., an employee-owned decision analysis company that specializes in cost analysis, data management, and data analytics, has invested $1.7 million to expand in Arlington County. The company is leasing an additional 10,000 square feet of space at 1225 South Clark Street to increase capacity.” [Press Release, Washington Post, Fox 5]
APS to Adopt Policy for Racy Material — “Arlington School Board members on Dec. 1 are slated to approve new rules regarding the use of sexually-explicit material in classroom instruction, falling in line behind new state requirements that give local school districts no discretion in the matter. School Board members are slated to adopt a revision to instructional policies that will require school officials to give parents at least 30 days’ notice before students will be provided instruction with materials deemed sexually explicit.” [Sun Gazette]
APS Seeks Free Lunches — “The phrase ‘there ain’t no such thing as a free lunch’ may remain a truism economically if not necessarily politically, but the Arlington School Board is hoping to get somebody else to pay for student meals. As part of its 2023 General Assembly legislative-priorities package to be voted on Dec. 1, School Board members are backing a proposal to provide ‘universal free meals at schools’ for all public-school students in Virginia.” [Sun Gazette]
Relive That Winning USA Goal — “Here’s what the goal in the USA vs. Iran World Cup match looked like at Bronson Bierhall in Ballston.” [Twitter]
Another Gun Confiscated at DCA — “Travelers keep trying to bring guns in their carry-on bags onto flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington. On Monday, officers detected the 29th gun of 2022, one shy of the 30 guns that were detected by officers at the airport in 2021, the most since TSA started keeping data on guns detected at Reagan National Airport in 2017… The latest incident involved an Alexandria man.” [Patch]
Library Director’s 2022 Xmas Playlist — “As 2022 winds down, take a break, grab a beverage, and give a listen to ‘Too Cool for Yule 2022.’ And don’t be shy about singing along. It will make you feel great.” [Arlington Public Library]
It’s Wednesday — Rain in the morning and afternoon. High of 58 and low of 44. Sunrise at 7:09 am and sunset at 4:49 pm. [Weather.gov]
Update at 2:55 p.m. — Metro is single-tracking past the station and expected to resume normal service soon, with fire department units clearing from the scene.
Blue Line service has been suspended at Pentagon City due to a small fire producing smoky conditions at the station.
Arlington County firefighters are on scene. The fire — reportedly caused by trash catching on fire behind a wall — is reported to be out but there’s still residual smoke in the tunnels.
The fire department activity is also said to be affecting traffic in the area.
Final: Fire is out, @wmata has been informed they can resume normal operations at Pentagon City Metro. 0 injuries to civilians or first responders.
Crews are operating at the scene of a small fire at the Pentagon City Metro. Expect traffic impacts in the area of S. Hayes St between Army Navy Dr and 15th St. S and please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/jqZPymVhxK
Blue Line Delay: Train service suspended btwn Natl Airport & Arlington Cemetery due to fire department activity at Pentagon City. Shuttle buses requested.
NEW; Smoke inside Pentagon City Metro on platform and mezzanine. @ArlingtonVaFD on scene. All trains reported stopped (also requested by command). Expect delays. More to follow. #wmata@ARLnowDOTcom@MetroReasons
A warrant has been issued for a suspect who beat a victim with a spatula, causing a significant injury.
The incident happened the afternoon before Thanksgiving, around 3:30 p.m., on the 3400 block of Washington Blvd in Virginia Square. Police did not say exactly where it took place, but that block includes a barbecue restaurant, a hot pot restaurant and a grocery store.
“Police were dispatched to the report of a fight in progress,” said an Arlington County Police Department crime report. “Upon arrival, it was determined the victim and known suspect were involved in a verbal dispute, during which the suspect allegedly struck the victim with a spatula, causing a laceration. The suspect then fled the scene on foot.”
The victim was hospitalized and the resulting criminal charge suggests that his or her injury was significant, though not life-threatening.
“The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries,” the crime report continued. “A warrant for Malicious Wounding was obtained for the suspect. The investigation is ongoing.”
