A driver made a daring and successful — though some might say ill-advised — escape from armed carjackers early this morning.
The incident happened just before 2 a.m. on the 3400 block of Potomac Avenue, in the Crystal City area near Potomac Yard.
“The victim was inside his parked vehicle when the suspect vehicle pulled behind him and approximately three male suspects exited, brandished firearms and demanded the keys to the victim’s vehicle,” Arlington County police said in today’s daily crime report.
“The victim drove away and the suspects reentered their vehicle and briefly followed,” the crime report continues. “The victim was then able to return to the scene and speak to police. No injuries were reported.”
The suspect vehicle, described as a silver SUV, drove off and police were unable to locate it, despite searching the area.
“The investigation is ongoing,” ACPD said.
This is at least the third carjacking attempt in the Crystal City area over the past week, after groups of suspects carjacked BMWs this past weekend and earlier this week.
Update at 3:40 p.m. — Lanes have reopened after the tanker was brought upright and towed away, according to VDOT.
Update at 3 p.m. — The southbound lanes of the highway are expected to remain closed until around 4 p.m., according to VDOT.
Update Fairlington/Shirlington: 395SB still closed at Shirlington Circle. Est reopening: 4PM. Towing making great progress (as always!). Pls avoid area. https://t.co/6JNnKyZI3upic.twitter.com/7InbxIBci5
Earlier: Three people are being hospitalized and southbound I-395 is blocked after a truck crash.
A propane tanker and another vehicle crashed near Shirlington Circle around 1:15 p.m., leading the tanker to overturn prompting a large emergency and hazmat response. Firefighters are on scene, hosing down the truck to try to prevent a fire.
According to initial reports, three people are being transported to the hospital after the crash and crews are working to vent at least some of the pressure from the damaged tanker to reduce the risk an explosion.
The highway “will remain closed for an undetermined amount of time,” according to the Arlington County Fire Department. Southbound traffic is currently being re-routed into Shirlington.
Update: 3 patients have been transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. HAZMAT crews working with law enforcement and the tow company to upright the truck. All units are remaining on scene.
— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) July 26, 2023
Carting a K-50 in Ballston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
WaPo Investigates Police Tackle — “Three policing experts who reviewed the dashboard-camera video and documents in the case told The Post the encounter was an example of how not to respond to a mental health crisis. Although all five officers who tackled Franklin had crisis intervention training that called for them to de-escalate the situation, they decided within minutes to forcibly take him into custody, the experts noted.” [Washington Post]
WSJ Weighs in on RCV — “Poor results aren’t always enough to halt a bad political experiment, so credit a Virginia county board for heeding the evidence on ranked-choice voting. This newfangled electoral system is all the rage among progressive reformers, but less beloved by voters. After trying it once, Arlington County did a fast reversal. The county board this month decided to return to ordinary, plurality voting for its November general election.” [Wall Street Journal]
APS Bucking Va. Transgender Policies — “The superintendent of Arlington Public Schools in Northern Virginia is refusing to follow updated model policies from Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Education Department on how to treat transgender students. LGBTQ+ activists and parents across the state criticized the governor’s updated policies last week.” [The Advocate]
Mag Honors ‘Extraordinary Teens’ — “Extraordinary Teen Awards 2023 Greatness comes in many forms, whether it’s pioneering research, soul-bearing works of art or the simple gift of making people laugh. Meet this year’s exemplary students.” [Arlington Magazine]
Funnel Cloud Seen From Arlington — “As storms began to erupt along the Interstate 95 corridor Tuesday afternoon, eyewitnesses spotted a funnel cloud looming ominously over the U.S. Capitol building in D.C. A funnel cloud is a rotating column of air that extends from the base of a cloud and contains condensed water. Unlike a tornado, funnel clouds are not in touch with the ground and are, thus, harmless at ground level.” [Washington Post, Twitter, Twitter]
It’s Wednesday — Sunny and warm, with a high near 90 degrees and a calm wind that will pick up to 5-7 mph from the south in the afternoon. The night will be mostly clear, with a low around 75 degrees and a south wind at 6-9 mph. [Weather.gov]
A police traffic stop in Rosslyn in 2021 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
The Arlington County Police Department is tackling an uptick in reports of crime in Rosslyn.
The department said today that it conducted “a high-visibility criminal patrol detail” last Thursday “to address recent reports of retail theft and other quality of life issues in the Rosslyn neighborhood.”
Police are often dispatched to Rosslyn for shoplifting calls, with the Target at 1500 Wilson Blvd a frequent target of thieves.
Last week’s enforcement action netted seven arrests, mostly on theft charges, police said.
As part of our key initiative of Crime Prevention and Control, the Arlington County Police Department is committed to ensuring public safety through crime prevention and reduction measures, active patrols and comprehensive follow-up investigations. In support of these efforts, the Department’s Community Action Team conducted a high-visibility criminal patrol detail on July 20, 2023, to address recent reports of retail theft and other quality of life issues in the Rosslyn neighborhood. As a result of the proactive investigative efforts of officers working the detail, seven arrests were made. The Department continues to work collaboratively with the community to identify public safety concerns and deploy police resources to identify and prevent criminal activity.
Summary of Incidents
WANTED SUBJECT, 2023-07200185, 1900 block of N. Moore Street. Police observed a wanted suspect walking in the area and gave him commands to stop. The suspect ran from the scene and following a foot pursuit, was taken into custody. [The suspect], 43, of Washington D.C. was served with the outstanding warrants for Burglary with Intent to Commit Larceny and Grand Larceny.
LARCENY, 2023-07200201, 1500 block of Wilson Boulevard. The suspect entered a business, allegedly concealed merchandise and exited without payment. During a search of the suspect and his property incident to arrest, suspected narcotics were recovered. [The suspect], 28, of No Fixed Address was arrested and charged with Petit Larceny and Possession of a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance.
LARCENY, 2023-07200215, 1500 block of Wilson Boulevard. The suspect entered a business, allegedly concealed merchandise and exited without payment. The suspect was detained and initially provided false identifying information to the officers. [The suspect], 39, of No Fixed Address was charged with Petit Larceny and Identity Theft.
LARCENY, 2023-07200220, 1500 block of Wilson Boulevard. The suspect entered a business, allegedly concealed merchandise and exited without payment. While officers were attempting to take the suspect into custody, he actively resisted arrest. [The suspect], 42, of Fairfax, VA was arrested and charged with Petit Larceny and Obstruction of Justice.
SHOPLIFTING, 2023-07200224, 1500 block of Wilson Boulevard. The suspect entered a business, allegedly concealed merchandise and exited without payment. A lookout was broadcast and the suspect was located and taken into custody near Wilson Boulevard and North Oak Street. [The suspect], 42, of Alexandria, VA was arrested and charged with Petit Larceny and released on a summons.
LARCENY, 2023-07200235, 1500 block of Wilson Boulevard. The suspect entered a business, allegedly concealed merchandise in a bag and exited without payment. The suspect was detained and initially provided false identifying information to the officers. [The suspect], 38, of No Fixed Address was arrested and charged with Petit Larceny and Identity Theft. It was also determined he was wanted out of other local jurisdictions.
NARCOTICS VIOLATION, 2023-07200247, 1700 block of N. Lynn Street. Officers observed the suspect allegedly in possession of a controlled substance in public. The suspect also displayed signs of being under the influence. [The suspect], 26, of No Fixed Address was arrested and charged with Drunk in Public and Possession of Schedule I/II Controlled Substance.
Faregate modification coming to the Pentagon City and Courthouse stations (courtesy WMATA)
Taller faregates are coming to a pair of Arlington Metro stations to combat fare evasion.
The ongoing fare enforcement effort led Metro to design taller doors for its gates. Those are now being rolled out, with installation at the Fort Totten station expected to be completed overnight tonight, and the Pentagon City up next.
After that, another eight stations are in line to get new faregates by early fall, including the Courthouse station.
Metro officials argue that those committing crimes in the Metro system are often fare evaders, thus cracking down will help keep riders safe.
Faregate evolution (courtesy WMATA)
More, below, from a WMATA press release.
Metro has begun installing new higher, stronger faregates at Fort Totten Station as part of a systemwide rollout. The design improves upon the original prototype door following months of testing and modifications. The new doors are now 55-inches tall, twice as strong, and more resilient.
The installation at Fort Totten is expected to be completed overnight, followed by Pentagon City. The faregate modifications will be installed in phases with plans to retrofit faregates throughout the system over the next year. The first 10 stations are expected to be completed by early fall.
“Over the past several months, our team has been testing different prototypes to get to this final design. We have already seen a reduction in fare evasion and expect the higher gates will be more of a deterrent,” said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Randy Clarke. “The bottom line is fare evasion is not okay, and we will continue our efforts to ensure everyone is respecting the community’s system and each other.”
The new design includes an L-shape door panel that extends over the faregate to minimize gaps between the openings. The increase in barrier height from the original 28 to 48-inch prototype to 55 inches will also make it more difficult to jump over faregates. The new height is taller than a hockey net or nearly half the height of a standard basketball hoop.
The swing doors are made of a polycarbonate which is 200 times stronger than glass, lighter weight, and more durable. The final design also includes more robust hinges and a more powerful motor to strengthen the door. As stations are retrofitted with the new barriers, Metro is also raising the height of fencing and emergency gates.
Metro will install a single door panel for all regular faregates, and double door panels at the wider gates for accessibility and wheelchairs. Following Fort Totten and Pentagon City, the first phase of new faregates will be installed at Bethesda, Vienna*, Mt Vernon Sq, Addison Rd, Congress Heights, Wheaton, Federal Center SW, and Court House stations. Metro will notify customers prior to work beginning at stations through in-station signage and on Metro’s Faregate Retrofit Project page.
In addition to the faregate modifications, Metro’s stepped-up enforcement efforts have also helped to change behaviors and reduce fare evasion.
Last month, Metro also launched a new income-qualified reduced fare program, Metro Lift, to provide a 50 percent fare discount to customers who qualify for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits in the District, Maryland, and Virginia. To-date, more than 1600 customers have enrolled, taking nearly 17,000 combined trips.
For more information about Metro’s comprehensive efforts to modernize its fare system, visit wmata.com/faremodernization.
A string of BMW carjackings in the Crystal City area continued early this morning.
The alleged crime happened around 3 a.m., near the intersection of S. Eads Street and 23rd Street S.
A man was parking his car when four masked suspects armed with guns approached and demanded the keys, police said. The car — a 2014 BMW 320i with Michigan tags — was taken but the victim was not hurt.
Police are looking for both the stolen car and another vehicle used in the crime, according to today’s Arlington County Police Department crime report.
“The victim was parking his vehicle when the suspect vehicle approached, four male suspects exited, brandished firearms and demanded the keys to the victim’s vehicle,” said the crime report. “The suspect vehicle, a dark-colored sedan, then fled the scene followed by the suspects driving the victim’s stolen vehicle.”
“The investigation is ongoing,” the crime report adds.
The getaway — before police were called — was caught on camera by local public safety watcher Dave Statter.
This is at least the seventh BMW carjacking in the Crystal City and Pentagon City area so far this year, after another carjacking this past weekend near the same intersection as this morning’s incident. At least a dozen carjackings total have been reported in Arlington in 2023.
Separately, Arlington police assisted with tracking a vehicle carjacked in Alexandria this morning. According to initial reports, Arlington police helped to track the stolen Lexus, taken near Arlington’s Fairlington neighborhood, as it was driven past Crystal City and into D.C. on I-395 in heavy traffic.
Looking north above Glebe Road in Ballston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Man Accidentally Shoots Self — “4100 block of S. Four Mile Run Drive. At approximately 7:01 a.m. on July 24, police were dispatched to the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, it was determined that an armed security officer was in a backroom preparing for the day when he allegedly accidentally discharged his weapon, striking his hand. He was transported to an area hospital with injuries considered non-life threatening. No other injuries or property damage were reported.” [ACPD]
BurgerFi Coming to Rosslyn — “A franchisee for Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based fast-casual restaurant BurgerFi has inked a deal for a new location in Rosslyn. The hamburger chain, with a half-dozen locations in Greater Washington, has leased a roughly 2,500-square-foot space at 1735 N. Lynn St. formerly occupied by two other retailers, Brown Bag and The Perfect Pita. It’s slated to open in late September or early October.” [Washington Business Journal]
Dweck Ramping of Nat’l Landing Activity — “Dweck Properties Ltd. is gathering steam as a competitor to JBG Smith Properties (NYSE: JBGS) in the redevelopment of National Landing, with plans to consolidate and expand acquisitions and development activity in Northern Virginia. Dweck’s been around for decades, having become a major apartment owner and manager, with nearly half of its roughly 7,000 units now in National Landing.” [Washington Business Journal]
Swanky Rosslyn Condo for Sale — “They don’t call it Waterview for nothing. Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. Board Chairman Ralph Shrader and his wife, Janet, have listed their 29th-floor Rosslyn condo for $6.95 million. The Waterview unit offers 270-degree views of D.C. and Northern Virginia.” [Washington Business Journal]
Heat Wave on the Way — From Ready Arlington: “A #HeatWave is likely to affect the region starting Wednesday (July 26). #BeatTheHeat with the tips below.” [Twitter]
Camp Cancellations Possible — From Arlington’s Dept. of Parks and Recreation: “If you or your child are signed up for summer camp or classes, please keep an eye out for any weather related cancellations due to a heat index of 105 degrees or above. You will be alerted via email and/or phone call/ text the day of your program.” [Twitter]
It’s Tuesday — There is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm today, with patchy fog before 9am. Expect mostly sunny conditions, with a high near 89°F and light southwest winds in the afternoon. Tuesday night brings a 30% chance of evening showers and thunderstorms, with a low around 67°F and calming east winds. [Weather.gov]
A suspect is in custody in connection to the sexual assault of a woman in Crystal City’s underground shopping center.
The crime happened shortly before 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Police said the victim “was walking in the Crystal City Shops when the male suspect approached, produced a box cutter, demanded money and stole her cell phone.”
“The suspect then took the victim to a secluded area where he sexually assaulted her and struck her with the box cutter,” Arlington County police said.
Following an investigation, a 23-year-old man was arrested last night, ACPD said.
From a police press release:
The Arlington County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit is announcing charges have been obtained in the investigation into a July 22 sexual assault in Crystal City. Khalil Gray, 23, of No Fixed Address has been arrested and charged with Forcible Sodomy, Abduction with Intent to Defile, Malicious Wounding and Robbery. He’s being held in the Prince George’s Department of Corrections pending extradition to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Following the incident, detectives launched a thorough investigation which included canvassing for information, reviewing crime scene evidence, interviewing witnesses and following up on investigative leads. This information led to identifying Mr. Gray as a possible suspect. With investigative assistance by the Metro Transit Police Department, he was taken into custody in Maryland on the evening of July 23, 2023.
A man of the same name and age was arrested in Alexandria in October, charged with pointing a gun at his landlord. The man was later found not guilty on gun and assault charges, but convicted of violating a protective order and sentenced to one day in jail. It could not immediately be confirmed whether that Khalil Gray is the same one who was arrested for the sexual assault.
New construction homes at the site of the Rouse House in May 2023 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
New construction homes at the site of the Rouse House in May 2023 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
The old gate of the Rouse House still stands in May 2023 as new houses are built at the site (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Houses at the former site of the Febrey-Lothrop House are set to go on sale this fall, with a delivery set for early next year.
Toll Brothers announced last week that the “boutique community” off of Wilson Blvd in Dominion Hills, dubbed The Grove at Dominion Hills, is nearing the finish line.
It will feature 40 single-family homes on more than nine acres, with houses ranging from 3,470 to 5,834 square feet. They all appear to have five bedrooms and up to six bathrooms, per the website.
Sales are set to begin this fall with pricing starting at $2.1 million, said a Toll Brothers spokesperson in an email. The houses are expected to be move-in ready by “early 2024.”
Also known as the Rouse estate, the original house was built before the Civil War but was largely replaced in the early 20th century. Historians cited the estate’s role in hosting Civil War encampments, past residents including business mogul Howard Hughes, and the likelihood it was built by enslaved peoples as for reasons to preserve the site. The land it was on was also potentially a hunting ground for Indigenous peoples.
But its future became in doubt when its last owner, sportsman Randy Rouse, died in 2017. The property hit the market in 2020, with some pushing the county to purchase it and turn it into a public park, a school, or another public facility.
ARLnow asked Toll Brothers whether anything came from a preservationist’s request to partner with archeologists on potential artifacts at the site. The company did not respond to the inquiry.
After a several month break, yet another BMW has been carjacked in the Crystal City area.
The incident was reported at 23rd Street S. and S. Eads Street around 2:30 a.m. Sunday.
“The victim was inside his parked vehicle when the suspect vehicle approached, three suspects exited, brandished firearms and demanded the victim’s vehicle,” Arlington County police said today in a crime report. “The suspect vehicle, a dark-colored sedan, then fled the scene followed by the suspects driving the victim’s stolen vehicle. No injuries were reported.”
The stolen vehicle was described as a white 2017 BMW 420i with Mississippi tags.
This is at least the 11th carjacking in Arlington so far this year and the sixth involving a BMW taken in the Crystal City and Pentagon City area. The last such reported carjacking happened in April.
The RiverHouse apartments at 1111 Army Navy Drive (staff photo)
Arlington County is considering changes to its zoning ordinance to encourage the construction of more senior care facilities.
The proposed changes include increasing the maximum building heights for elder care facilities in Pentagon City and allowing the construction of elder care facilities along the Columbia Pike corridor, per a county report.
The report says these changes are needed to ensure the existing zoning code supports the vision of the Pentagon City Sector Plan, adopted last year. During an initial review of proposed redevelopment projects, staff said they identified inconsistencies between the two related to building height codes for elder care facilities.
To address these issues, staff have proposed an amendment clarifying where elder care facilities can be built in areas of Pentagon City that are zoned for multifamily uses — and how tall these buildings can be.
The amendment targets the part of the neighborhood within a “coordinated redevelopment district” within the boundaries of 16th Street S. to the south, S. Lynn Street to the west, Army Navy Drive to the north and S. Eads Street to the east.
This appears to map onto the site of the RiverHouse complex, which is set to be redeveloped with new apartments, including senior housing. The report does not mention this planned redevelopment specifically but it does note that recent redevelopment plans revealed the inconsistencies staff are trying to resolve.
The Pentagon City Coordinated Redevelopment District and where RiverHouse is located within it (via Arlington County, edited by ARLnow)
Doing this analysis, staff discovered that existing ordinances excluded the construction of additional elder care facilities along Columbia Pike, per the report.
To resolve this issue, the report says the amendment also “introduces assisted living facilities, independent living facilities, nursing homes, and continuing care retirement communities as allowable forms of residential use” on Columbia Pike.
The amendment comes several years after the county initially proposed the possibility of opening up some areas zoned for multi-family and commercial buildings to senior centers in 2019.
Some members of the Zoning Committee of the Planning Commission and Crystal and Pentagon Cities Council expressed concerns about whether increasing the height of elder care facilities would complicate evacuation in the event of an emergency, according to the county report.
Other members argued there are a wide range of examples of high-rise elder care facilities, as close as Tysons Corner.
Staff said any new construction would still need to comply with “appropriate” building and fire code standards. Staff did note in the report that they plan to conduct a comprehensive analysis of permitted heights for elder care facilities in other zoning districts and special planning areas.
“Clarifying zoning language… will ensure buildings with elder care uses can be properly considered throughout the County and redevelopment in [multifamily]-zoned properties and property owners/developers can propose uses consistent with recommendations adopted in earlier planning efforts,” the report said.
These changes are set to be discussed during a public hearing by the Planning Commission on Sept. 11 and the County Board on Sept. 23.
