Police car (file photo)A 20-year-old man is facing numerous charges after police say he knocked out a homeowner who threatened to call 911 because the man was assaulting a woman in front of his house.

The incident happened around 10:30 p.m. Monday night, in the Arlington Forest neighborhood near the entrance to the Lubber Run Amphitheater.

From an Arlington County Police crime report:

BURGLARY W/ INTENT TO COMMIT ASSAULT, 160627052, 200 block of N. Columbus Street. At approximately 10:35 p.m. on June 27, a male homeowner witnessed a male subject assaulting a female victim in the street. The homeowner announces that he is going to call police, at which point the male subject forces entry into the home. Once inside the home, the male subject assaults the homeowner causing him to lose consciousness. Another resident of the home witnesses the assault, yells for him to leave, and the male subject threatens her and attempts to steal items before being led away by the initial female victim.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the suspect was involved with additional incidents. At approximately 10:25 p.m. on June 27, the same suspect attempted to gain entry into a residence in the 100 block of N. Columbus Street, through the back door and the garage. Both attempts were unsuccessful. A witness reported then seeing the suspect proceed to a neighbor’s yard in the 100 block of N. Columbus Street and attempt to open a vehicle door, but was unsuccessful.

Victor Omar Suarez, 20, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with burglary with intent to commit assault, malicious wounding, attempted grand larceny, and possession of marijuana. He is being held without bond.


Cupid's Garden Sculpture in Rosslyn

Bracing for the Next Two Metro Surges — There will be no Metrorail service at the National Airport station during the next two Metrorail maintenance surge projects, from July 5 to July 18. Blue and Yellow line riders can expect major service impacts and should consider alternative means of commuting, from biking to Uber to taking the bus. The new Metroway Bus Rapid Transit line from Alexandria to Crystal City will be free during the two surges. [Washington Post, NBC Washington, Twitter, WMATA]

Tributes to Cafe Asia — As ARLnow.com first reported, today is expected to be the last day in business for Cafe Asia in Rosslyn. The restaurant was a go-to lunch, after work and event spot for some of Rosslyn’s media and political types, who have been posting memories of Cafe Asia on Twitter and elsewhere. [Washington Business Journal, Twitter, Twitter]

Garvey Profiled in Weekly Standard — Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey, who defeated challenger Erik Gutshall in the Democratic primary two weeks ago, has been profiled by the conservative political magazine the Weekly Standard. “From her fight for fiscal conservatism over a costly streetcar plan to her endorsement of Republican-turned-independent John Vihstadt (who eventually became a fellow Board member), it is no wonder that some of her fellow liberals are worried about the county’s direction,” the magazine wrote. [Weekly Standard]

Photo by Jackie Friedman


Updated at 7:10 p.m. — There were 10 passengers in the stalled elevator, we’re told. They were freed after about 40 minutes on the elevator.

https://twitter.com/lizaparrish/status/747925595066146816

Earlier: A large number of fire department vehicles have responded to the Courthouse Metro station for a possible elevator issue.

Initial, unconfirmed reports suggest a number of people are stuck on an elevator that’s filling with smoke due to an electrical or mechanical malfunction. There’s also a report of light smoke in an elevator service room.

Firefighters and Metro elevator technicians are working to safely get the elevator to ground level, where the passengers can be evaluated by paramedics, according to scanner traffic.

There is thus far no indication that Metrorail service has been affected.


Police car (file photo)A woman fought back against a suspect after he touched her with his genitals as she was walking down the street.

The incident happened last night, just after 11:10 p.m., on the 1900 block of Wilson Blvd in the Courthouse area.

“As a female victim was walking on the north side of Wilson Boulevard, an unknown male subject approached a victim with his genitals exposed and placed them on her,” said an Arlington County Police Department crime report. “The victim fought back, creating distance and causing the suspect to flee.”

“The victim described the suspect as a short, dark-skinned male wearing a black hoodie,” said ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage. “The suspect fled on foot eastbound on Wilson towards N. Rhodes Street. Officers canvassed the area with negative results. A K-9 track could not be conducted due to heavy rainfall.”


Ben Bailey, photo via Facebook : BenBaileyCashCabA comedian known for hosting a popular game show is scheduled to tell jokes at the Arlington Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike) next month.

Ben Bailey, formerly the host of Discovery Channel’s “Cash Cab” and NBC’s “Who’s Still Standing,” now makes a living saying funny things onstage. Bailey has also appeared on such television shows as “30 Rock,” “Mad TV” and “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.”

The host-turned-comedian is also apparently a talented impersonator:

Bailey will perform one show on Friday, July 15 and two shows on Saturday, July 16. Tickets are $25.

Photo via Facebook / Ben Bailey


Anna and David Sculpture in Rosslyn

View from Central Place — An ABC 7 reporter visited one of the top floors of the still under-construction Central Place residential tower in Rosslyn. The residential building is slated to open in 2017 while a twin office tower next door is set for 2018. [Twitter]

Wine in the Waterpark Extended — Crystal City is extending its popular Friday night Wine in the Waterpark events through July. The event offers beer, wine and music in an outdoor setting. [Crystal City]

‘Women in Secularism’ Conference — A Crystal City hotel will be hosting the fourth “Women in Secularism” conference in September. The conference “brings together a diverse lineup of speakers to address what it means to be a ‘woman in secularism’ — not just in theory, but in practice.” [Women in Secularism]

Photo by Jackie Friedman


Arlington police carArlington County Police are investigating an armed robbery Saturday morning in the Pentagon City area.

Police say a man with a gun got out of a car, robbed a woman of her belongings, and then got back into the car and drove off.

From an ACPD crime report:

ROBBERY, 160625017, 500 block of S. 15th Street. At approximately 6:45 a.m. on June 25, an unknown male subject, brandishing a firearm, exited the passenger side of a vehicle and approached a female victim. The suspect demanded her personal belongings and then fled in the nearby vehicle. The suspect is described as a black male in his twenties, approximately 5’5″ tall with a small frame, and was wearing black sportswear and a mask that covered his face.


Supreme Court building file photoArlington’s elected officials are speaking out in favor of today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling on abortion.

Rep. Don Beyer, County Board member Katie Kristol and U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine — all Democrats — today praised the Supreme Court’s 5-3 decision to strike down a Texas law that greatly restricted abortion providers there.

Beyer called the decision a victory for “common sense and justice for women” in a statement:

Common sense and justice for women and families prevailed at the Supreme Court today. This decision once again affirms our nation’s longstanding policy that women have the right to an abortion until viability, and that efforts by anti-choice forces to deny that right through lack of access imposes an undue burden. Anti-choice forces in Virginia apply the same tactics, and have also failed.  We will continue every effort to maintain and expand women’s healthcare access in Virginia.

Cristol echoed Beyer’s praise in a tweet:

Warner also released a statement praising the decision:

Today the Supreme Court sent a clear message that all women have the right to make their own reproductive health decisions, no matter where they live. This is a victory for women’s health in Texas, in Virginia, and across the country.

As did Kaine:

I applaud the Supreme Court for seeing the Texas law for what it is – an attempt to effectively ban abortion and undermine a woman’s right to make her own health care choices. This ruling is a major win for women and families across the country, as well as the fight to expand reproductive freedom for all.

The Texas law is quite similar to arbitrary and unnecessary rules that were imposed on Virginia women after I left office as Governor. I’m proud that we were able to successfully fight off such “TRAP” regulations during my time in state office. I have always believed these sort of rules are an unwarranted effort to deprive women of their constitutionally protected right to terminate a pregnancy.

File photo of Supreme Court


(Updated at 2:30 p.m.) Arlington County and Alexandria firefighters are battling a small fire in a warehouse near Shirlington.

Initial reports suggest that a fire started in an area of the warehouse used for painting and then spread to the roof. One person was treated by medics for burns to his or her hands.

A rapid fire response task force was dispatched to the scene, in addition to a hazmat unit for a reported paint or chemical spill. Photos show signs for the party rental business DC Rental in the area of the warehouse where firefighters are operating.

The warehouse, at 2615 S. Shirlington Road, is located near I-395 in the Nauck neighborhood. Drivers should expect lane closures near the scene on S. Shirlington Road.

As of 2:30 p.m., the fire was reported out and firefighters were ventilating the building.


Police car (file photo)A police officer and a paramedic were trying to assist a drunk woman early Sunday morning when the woman kicked the officer to the ground and kicked the medic in the face.

The incident happened just past 12:30 a.m. in Clarendon. The woman, a 21-year-old Fredericksburg resident, is now facing multiple charges.

From an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

ASSAULT ON POLICE, 160626002, 3100 block of Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 12:37 a.m. on June 26, officers responded to assist medics with a heavily intoxicated female. Upon arrival, the suspect became combative towards officers and medics. She was able to get her legs free and kick an officer to the ground and a medic in the face. Clara Sigman, 21, of Fredericksburg VA, was arrested and charged with assault on police, assault on firefighter, and drunk in public.

On Friday afternoon another officer was assaulted, this time on the 2100 block of Washington Blvd, home of Arlington’s Dept. of Human Services.

A 35-year-old woman spit on an officer who responded to the scene for a report of another assault that had just occurred. From ACPD:

ASSAULT ON POLICE, 160624051, 2100 block of S. Washington Boulevard. At approximately 3:39 p.m. on June 24, police were dispatched to the report of an assault that had just occurred. When on scene officers instructed the female subject to comply, she spit on the officer’s face. Senait Taye, 35, of Arlington VA, was arrested and charged with assault on police and assault and battery.


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