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Peeping Tom Arrested After Foot Chase

Published March 28, 2018 at 9:45AM

A man was arrested early Monday morning for a peeping incident in Clarendon.

Police say a resident heard a noise from outside her house on the 1000 block of N. Cleveland Street and then saw a man trying to get in via a sliding glass door.

The suspect took off running upon seeing the woman, and was later arrested by police “following a brief foot pursuit.” Edwin Espana, a 30-year-old Arlington resident, is now facing several charges including peeping and drunk in public.

From an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

PEEPING, 2018-03260012, 1000 block of N. Cleveland Street. At approximately 12:58 a.m. on March 26, police were dispatched to the report of an attempted breaking and entering. Upon arrival, it was determined that the female victim heard noise originating from outside her sliding glass door. Upon investigation, the victim observed a male suspect allegedly attempting to gain entry into the residence. Upon seeing the victim, the suspect fled the scene on foot. Arriving officers broadcast a lookout for the suspect and following a brief foot pursuit, the suspect was taken into custody. Edwin Ayala Espana, 30, of Arlington, VA was arrested and charged with Peeping into an Occupied Dwelling, Unlawful Entry and Drunk in Public. He was held on a secured bond.

Separately, another peeping incident was reported Monday night in south Arlington:

PEEPING, 2018-03260215, 2800 block of 9th Street S. At approximately 9:08 p.m. on March 26, police were dispatched to the report of a possible peeping tom. Upon arrival, it was determined that the witness observed an unknown suspect looking into the window of a residence. The suspect fled the scene prior to police arrival and officers canvased the area with negative results. The suspect is described as a male, 30-45 years old wearing a dark jacket and black knit cap. The investigation is ongoing.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 28, 2018 at 8:45AM | Updated March 28, 2018 at 1:51PM

Community Concerns Over Hospital Land Swap — Updated at 1:50 p.m. — Virginia Hospital Centers needs to expand to keep up with patient demand but the planned expansion is in a holding pattern as resident concerns are addressed. “Tracy Greiner, chair of a task force of three nearby civic associations, said the hospital has ‘failed to effectively address three years of homeowner feedback.’ Neighbors — some who’ve been in Halls Hill for three generations, others who just bought in — worry about traffic, nighttime lights and construction.” [Falls Church News-Press]

Beyer Wants Answers from FBI — Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) is requesting a meeting with the director of the FBI to discuss the investigation into the fatal shooting of Bijan Ghaisar by U.S. Park Police along the GW Parkway, to ensure that it proceeds expeditiously. Of note: “Beyer said that Arlington County, where the 911 calls came in, will not release the 911 tapes because the FBI hasn’t given them permission because it’s an ongoing investigation.” [WTOP]

Wilcox to Headline Arlington Gala — “Arlington’s own Amy Wilcox, a recording artist and star of A&E Network’s ‘Crazy Hearts: Nashville,’ will be the featured performer at the Arlington Community Foundation’s annual gala – ‘This Is Us’ – to be held April 21. The evening event will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City, with funds raised being used to support the philanthropic initiatives of the foundation.” [InsideNova]

Candy Dispute Prompts Call to Police — According to scanner traffic, police responded yesterday evening to a domestic incident in which “a father is not allowing his kid to have candy and they’re all fighting.” [Twitter]

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 27, 2018 at 8:35AM

Shake Shack, Philz and More Coming to Ballston — “Ballston will beef up its fast-casual restaurant offerings by the end of this year, with Shake Shack, We the Pizza, Philz Coffee and Cava all slated to lease space in the newly dubbed Ballston Exchange project. Ballston Exchange, formerly known as Stafford Place I and II, was until 2017 home to the National Science Foundation.” [Washington Business Journal]

Outdoor Lab Squeezed by Rising Enrollment — “A growing student body at the elementary-school level may soon mean there are not enough days in the school year to send the usual cadre of students to the Arlington Outdoor Lab, located in Fauquier County.” [InsideNova]

Arlington Smoker Busted in Falls Church — Falls Church police issued a summons to a 56-year-old Arlington man for smoking in a restaurant in the city. [Falls Church News-Press]

Hamlin Leaving Macedonia Baptist Church — The Rev. Dr. Leonard Hamlin Sr. is leaving Macedonia Baptist Church in Nauck for a post at the Washington National Cathedral. “To celebrate his 22-year tenure at Macedonia, more than 300 people attended a farewell gala held March 25 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City,” the Sun Gazette reported. [InsideNova]

Advocates Flock to Open Door Monday — Those seeking more funding in the county budget process flocked to yesterday’s regularly-scheduled Open Door Monday event with County Board member Libby Garvey. Among those bending Garvey’s ear were first responders, who are seeking higher pay, and Arlington Independent Media, which is fighting a proposed budget cut. [Twitter, Twitter]

Photo courtesy @jimcollierjr

AWLA Rescues Wild Turkey from Rosslyn Construction Site

By ARLnow.com

Published March 26, 2018 at 7:10PM

Though talk of wild turkey in Rosslyn may lead one to think of bros in hotel bars swigging high-proof bourbon, today it was the real, live thing.

A wild turkey was found waddling around a construction site in Rosslyn, leading to a response from the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.

An animal control officer was able to catch the male turkey, which was said to be “scared and very stressed.” A video posted on Facebook, below, captures the scene as the turkey was placed in a kennel before being brought back to AWLA’s shelter in Shirlington and then being released into the wild.

La Tasca Has Closed in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published March 26, 2018 at 2:45PM | Updated March 27, 2018 at 1:33PM

(Update at 1:35 p.m.) Spanish tapas restaurant chain La Tasca has closed its Clarendon location.

The two-floor restaurant, at the corner of Wilson Blvd and N. Fillmore Street, served its last customers on Saturday, we’re told. Workers could be seen removing furniture and peeling off lettering on the windows this morning.

An employee said La Tasca was closing because its lease was expiring, but the company is reportedly exploring the possibility of reopening somewhere nearby.

La Tasca originated in the UK but has several D.C. area locations. The now-closed Clarendon location recently hosted a “pop up concept” called Txuleton by La Tasca, which specialized in “Basque steaks (Txuletones) as well as pintxos and tapas.”

La Tasca is expected to be replaced by a new taqueria concept from the team behind Ambar and Baba, across the street.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 26, 2018 at 8:30AM

Overnight House Fire in Rock Spring — The Arlington County Fire Department battled a blaze in the basement of a home in the Rock Spring neighborhood early this morning. One occupant of the home was brought to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. [Twitter]

ACFD Battles Falls Church Fire — Arlington and Fairfax County firefighters battled a two-alarm house fire in Falls Church early Sunday morning. The home’s occupant was able to get out but was transported to the hospital. The house, which had “hazardous hoarding conditions” inside, it believed to be a total loss. [City of Falls Church, Falls Church News-Press]

Warner Blasts ‘Dark Underbelly of Social Media’ — Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) went on NBC’s Meet the Press over the weekend and addressed the topic of Facebook’s privacy issues and alleged Russian election interference. “I think the whole industry has been reluctant to accept the fact that we’re seeing the dark underbelly of social media, and how it can be manipulated,” Warner said, adding: “frankly, Mr. Zuckerberg needs to come and testify.” [YouTube]

Arlington on ‘Healthiest Communities’ Rankings — Arlington County ranked No. 31 on U.S. News and World Report’s new Healthiest Communities rankings. Neighboring Falls Church ranked No. 1 while the City of Fairfax ranked No. 6 and Loudoun County ranked No. 10. [WTOP, U.S. News]

County Recognizes Businesses for Transportation Programs — “The Arlington County Board honored 19 local businesses and properties for their dedication to providing sustainable transportation to employees and tenants, as part of the Champions program. The program… motivates businesses, multi-family residential communities, commercial properties and schools to recognize the impact they can make on reducing traffic congestion in Arlington County.” [Arlington County]

Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman

Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for Ballston Homicide Victim

By ARLnow.com

Published March 23, 2018 at 5:55PM

Scene of Ballston homicide – 4100 block of 11th Street N. (via Google Maps)

The family of homicide victim John Giandoni is raising money via a crowdfunding campaign.

Giandoni, who would have turned 41 on Wednesday, was found dead in his home in Ballston last weekend. Police later determined his death to have been a homicide, though few details have been revealed about the circumstances.

In a crowdfunding campaign dubbed the “Freebird Fund,” Giandoni’s family is raising money for expenses. So far, more than $4,000 has been raised by nearly 50 donors.

The page also includes a brief biography of Giandoni, a father of one who worked for Booz Allen Hamilton and was active in the Arlington-Falls Church Young Republicans.

John Alexis Giandoni, born March 21, 1977 to Guillermo and Mary Ann Giandoni, passed away Friday, March 16, 2018. John loved spending time with his young son, Jack, more than anything else in this world and was a truly dedicated father and a devout Catholic in the Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th Degree. His desire for adventure and zest for life fueled his enjoyment for and allowed him to excel in snowboarding, soccer, rock climbing, surfing, scuba diving, and anything outdoors. He enjoyed camping, hiking, going to concerts, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends who he truly cherished, valued, and respected. John always had a bright smile on his face that could light up a room and a sincere, kind word for everyone.

John worked at Booz Allen Hamilton as a Data Analyst and he had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, leading to constant personal and professional growth. After graduating from Woodbridge Senior High School, he earned his undergraduate degree at James Madison University and later his graduate degree at Virginia Tech.

A memorial service for Giandoni is being held tonight (Friday) in Dale City, Virginia.

Police: Drunken Man With Knife Charges at Security Guard

By ARLnow.com

Published March 23, 2018 at 2:50PM

A Delaware resident is facing a series of charges after police say he got drunk, damaged property inside a Crystal City hotel and then charged at security guards with a knife.

The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. early Friday morning, on the 1700 block of Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1).

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 23, 2018 at 8:55AM

Arlington Revamps Engagement on Projects — “The County’s new ‘Six-Step Public Engagement Guide for Capital Projects’ aims to strengthen engagement and communication processes across County government – for hundreds of capital projects both large and small… The guide identifies four types of engagement that can occur with capital projects: Communicate… Consult… Involve… Collaborate.” [Arlington County]

Barre3 Opening ‘For Real’ — After construction, permitting, and inspection delays, Clarendon’s new Barre3 exercise studio has set a new opening date of March 22 — “for real.” An email to customers apologized to those who have been “waiting (and waiting and waiting)” for the studio to open in Clarendon’s Market Common shopping plaza at 2800 Clarendon Boulevard.

Millennials Buying Homes at Modest Pace — “Home purchases by Millennials ticked up over the past year, but inventory constraints and higher housing costs kept their overall activity subdued and prevented some from leaving the more affordable confines of their Gen X and Baby Boomer parents’ homes.” Meanwhile, Northern Virginia’s population continues to boom while many rural Virginia locales are shrinking. [InsideNova, InsideNova]

State Police: Bullet Fired on I-395

By ARLnow.com

Published March 22, 2018 at 11:55PM

Virginia State Police are investigating a shooting on I-395 near the Pentagon.

Someone fired a bullet through the front seat windows of a car driving on northbound I-395 near the HOV entrance and the Pentagon, according to VSP.

The incident happened just before 8 p.m. No one was injured and there have thus far been no arrests.

In a press release, state police are asking for the public’s help in tracking down the shooter.

Virginia State Police are seeking the public’s help with a shooting incident that occurred Thursday evening (March 22) in the northbound main lines of I-395 prior to the northbound HOV entrance in Arlington County. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Virginia State Police at 703-803-0026 or #77 on a cell phone or by email at [email protected].

At approximately 7:53 p.m., the Virginia State Police Fairfax Division received a call about a shot being fired at a vehicle. When Virginia Troopers arrived on scene, they found a white Toyota Corolla and a gray Hyundai Sonata stopped on the right shoulder of the northbound I-395 HOV lanes at the 9 mile marker. The Hyundai Sonata had a hole in the front seat, driver’s side window and another hole in the front seat, passenger side window. Further investigation confirmed that the holes were the result of a bullet entering the vehicle on the driver’s side and exiting the car through the passenger side window.

The driver in the Hyundai was not injured. No bullet was found inside or outside the vehicle, nor were there any other bullet holes in the Sonata.

The Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Corolla were traveling together at the time of the shooting. Neither driver could provide any description or license plate of a suspect vehicle.

Arlington County Police and Pentagon Police responded to the scene to assist State Police with the investigation, which remains ongoing at this time.

Crime Report: Man With Knife Robs Lee Highway Business

By ARLnow.com

Published March 22, 2018 at 1:45PM | Updated February 28, 2020 at 10:36AM

A man with a knife robbed a business on Lee Highway last night.

The man fled with cash stolen from the business on the 5500 block of Lee Highway, according to the latest Arlington County Police Department crime report. That block is home to two banks, a waxing studio, a restaurant and other businesses.

Despite snow on the ground, the suspect was able to leave the area before police were able to track him down.