arrest

ACPD: Drunk driver slams into 7-8 parked cars, garbage cans and a utility pole near Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com
1/10

An Arlington man has been charged with DUI after police say he struck 7-8 parked cars near Rosslyn on a rainy weekday afternoon earlier this month.

The incident happened on Friday, May 6, in the Radnor-Fort Myer Heights neighborhood. A police report says the 32-year-old man got into a 2003 Honda Pilot SUV, which was parked outside his apartment building on the 1200 block of N. Quinn Street, around 4:45 p.m. What happened next, as detailed by one of the victims, sounds reminiscent of a demolition derby.

The man “sideswiped a car in his own lot, hit a no-parking sign, then a utility pole, then hopped over a sidewalk as well as a row of bushes into a different parking lot where he slammed into another car so hard that it smashed into another,” the victim told ARLnow. “He then proceeded to go on to N. Rolfe Street from said parking lot and hit three more cars before finally coming to a stop.”

The account largely matches that of a police spokeswoman and a crash report shared with ARLnow. The crash report lists a total of seven seven vehicles, all but one of which were disabled by the force of the collisions.

“At approximately 4:46 p.m. on May 6, police were dispatched to the report of a vehicle crash with unknown conditions,” said Arlington County Police Department spokeswoman Ashley Savage. “Upon arrival, officers located the suspect in the driver’s seat of the striking vehicle. The suspect was treated on scene by medics and declined transport to the hospital.”

“The investigation determined the driver allegedly struck approximately eight parked, unoccupied vehicles, a utility pole and garbage cans,” Savage continued. “Following the administration of field sobriety tests [the suspect] was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence and Refusal of Breath Test.”

The drunk driving charge is a misdemeanor, as it’s the suspect’s first DUI charge, according to court records. The refusal of a breath test is a civil violation.

The suspect was released on his own recognizance after the arrest, according to court records. He is next due in court in August.

Police: Man with gun and drugs arrested on W-L High School grounds

By ARLnow.com
Arlington police car (file photo)

A 53-year-old Florida man is behind bars after being found with a gun, ammunition and drugs on the grounds of Washington-Liberty High School, police say.

Officers were dispatched to a parking garage next to the school, on the 1300 block of N. Stafford Street, around 5:45 a.m. Thursday for what was reported as a “suspicious” parked vehicle.

“Upon arrival, officers located the occupied vehicle and observed the suspect asleep behind the wheel and alleged drug paraphernalia in plain view,” said the latest Arlington County Police Department crime report. “During a search of the vehicle, a firearm, ammunition and controlled substances were recovered.”

The man, a resident of St. Augustine, Florida, was arrested is now facing an array of charges, ACPD said, including: “Possession of Schedule I/II Controlled Substance (x3), Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substance, Possession of a Firearm on School Grounds, Possession of a Firearm while Possessing Schedule I/II Substance and Concealed Weapon Violation.”

“He was held without bond,” ACPD noted.

Two arrested after gunfire in D.C. leads to brief chase in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 4 p.m.) Two people are in jail in Arlington after police say gunshots were fired from their vehicle in the District.

The arrests happened around 11:45 a.m., along southbound I-395 near S. Glebe Road. The incident started when an off-duty U.S. Park Police officer allegedly saw shots fired from the suspects’ vehicle — reportedly a U-Haul truck — at another vehicle.

“An off duty United States Park Police officer reporting for duty observed a vehicle discharge a firearm at another vehicle in the District of Columbia,” a Park Police spokesperson tells ARLnow. “Both vehicles fled the initial scene. The off duty USPP officer called in the incident to report it to on duty personnel.”

“USPP officers located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on southbound 395 in the area of Army Navy Drive,” the spokesperson continued. “The vehicle fled the initial stop before coming to a second stop for officers in the area of southbound 395 prior to Glebe Road. Two individuals were placed under arrest and transported to Arlington County Jail to be presented before a magistrate.”

A gun was found and the investigation is “ongoing,” the spokesperson said.

Arlington County police assisted Park Police during the incident, an ACPD spokeswoman confirmed. Several lanes of I-395 were temporarily blocked while the arrests were made.

More via social media, below.

Hat tips to Dave Statter and Alan Henney

Police respond to shot fired, stabbing and sexual battery early Friday

By ARLnow.com
Arlington police car at night (file photo courtesy Kevin Wolf)

It was a busy overnight shift for Arlington County police on Friday.

Officers responded to a trio of serious incidents, in the Clarendon and Crystal City areas, between midnight and 3 a.m.

Just after 12:30 a.m, police were dispatched to a report of a man who sexually assaulted two women, in an area between Crystal City and Potomac Yard. They subsequently located and arrested a 26-year-old D.C. man nearby.

From Friday’s Arlington County Police Department crime report:

SEXUAL BATTERY, 2022-04150008, 3400 block of S. Clark Street. At approximately 12:35 a.m. on April 15, police were dispatched to the report of an assault that had just occurred. Upon arrival, if was determined the two female victims were walking towards their parked vehicle when the unknown suspect approached them from behind and allegedly grabbed Victim One’s buttocks. The victims yelled and the suspect began to approach Victim Two, who backed away and tripped, falling to the ground. The suspect then got on top of Victim Two and attempted to touch her inappropriately. Victim One contacted dispatch and the suspect fled the scene on foot. Victim Two sustained minor injuries and did not require the treatment of medics. A lookout was broadcast and responding officers located the suspect in the area of 27th Street S. and Crystal Drive and took him into custody without incident. The suspect was treated on scene by medics and transported to an area hospital for medical evaluation. Aaron Moses, 26, of Washington D.C., was arrested and charged with Sexual Battery (x2) and Public Intoxication. He was held on no bond.

Also in the Crystal City area, shortly before 3 a.m. a man was stabbed following a dispute. He suffered serious injuries, but is expected to recover, while police are still trying to find the suspect.

MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2022-04150018, 23rd Street S. at S. Eads Street. At approximately 2:52 a.m. on April 15, police were dispatched to the report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, it was determined that approximately 20 minutes prior, the victim was walking in the area with a group of individuals when they were approached by the unknown male suspect. A verbal dispute ensued, during which the suspect threatened to harm the individuals before brandishing a knife and striking the victim. A brief struggle ensued before the suspect fled the scene on foot. The victim sustained serious, non-life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. The suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 5’8″, 180 pounds, wearing a bandana, green jacket, white shirt and blue jeans. The investigation is ongoing.

A short time before that, officers broke up a fight in Clarendon, only to learn that a few minutes before their arrival a gunshot was fired. So far, no arrests have been made.

SHOT FIRED, 2022-04150017, 3100 block of Clarendon Boulevard. At approximately 2:37 a.m. on April 15, an officer driving in the area observed a group of individuals fighting, activated his emergency equipment and exited the vehicle. Upon observing the officer, the group dispersed and fled the area. A witness then approached the officer and stated a few minutes prior to his arrival, the witness observed an unknown suspect discharge a firearm before fleeing the scene in a silver SUV. Evidence was recovered confirming a shot had been fired in the area. At this time, no injuries or property damage have been reported. The suspect is described as a Black male with dark hair and a full beard, wearing a gray long-sleeve top and a dark colored hat. The investigation is ongoing.

Police investigating shots fired near Columbia Pike last night

By ARLnow.com
1000 block of S. Frederick Street (via Google Maps)

Shots rang out in the Columbia Forest neighborhood near Columbia Pike last night, leading to a police investigation but no reported injuries.

“At approximately 6:24 p.m., police were dispatched to the 1000 block of S. Frederick Street for the report of shots heard,” Arlington County Police Department spokeswoman Annemarie Antignano tells ARLnow. “Responding officers canvassed the area, recovered evidence confirming shots had been fired and located damage to an unoccupied, parked vehicle and an occupied apartment. No injuries related to the shots fired have been reported.”

Police said they did not have a description of the suspect or suspects.

“This remains an active criminal investigation,” Antignano wrote. “Anyone with information or home surveillance that may assist with the investigation is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4180 or [email protected]. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).”

Separately, this past weekend’s crime report included another gun-related incident from Friday night.

Police say a driver brandished a gun during a road rage incident near Clarendon, leading to the arrest of a D.C. man in the Virginia Square neighborhood.

From the crime report:

BRANDISHING (late), 2022-03110208, Wilson Boulevard at 10th Street N. At approximately 6:45 p.m. on March 11, police were dispatched to the late report of a brandishing. Upon arrival, it was determined that at approximately 6:00 p.m., the victim was driving in the area when the suspect attempted to unsuccessfully merge into his lane. The suspect then rolled down his window and a verbal dispute ensued before he allegedly brandished a firearm. The victim then drove away from the area. A short time later, officers located the suspect vehicle in the 800 block of N. Pollard Street and observed the suspect return to the vehicle. Officers initiated a traffic stop and took the suspect into custody without incident, during which a firearm was observed in the passenger seat and recovered. [The suspect], 30, of Washington, D.C., was arrested and charged with Brandishing a Firearm. He was released on a summons.

Photo via Google Maps

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
ART bus in traffic in Ballston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Crashed Car Still Along Riverbank — “Two months after a man’s car careened two hundred feet off George Washington Parkway in Virginia, the National Park Service is developing a plan to remove the vehicle from an embankment next to the Potomac River… Police tape surrounds the car, which remains resting upside down. The driver’s papers and personal belongings are still scattered next to the car, which has graffiti painted on it.” [Patch]

February Rents Up Slightly — “The median monthly rental for an apartment in the county last month was $1,982 for a one-bedroom unit and $2,399 for two bedrooms, according to data reported March 1 by Apartment List. Compared to the period immediately preceding the arrival of the pandemic in March 2020, Arlington rents are up 0.5 percent.” [Sun Gazette]

Clarendon-Based Axios Expanding — “This year, Axios is pouring $30 million into expanding its footprint, said Jim VandeHei, the chief executive. It is spreading into cities (Axios Local), industries (Axios Pro) and workplaces (Axios HQ)… It now has more than 400 employees, with 150 in its newsroom in Arlington, Va., and 2.2 million subscribers across its 34 national and global newsletters.” [New York Times]

Arlington Man Arrested for Abduction — “Victim One stated that she had been at an establishment in the 500 block of 23rd Street S. with the known suspect when they became involved in a verbal dispute. When Victim One attempted to leave with Victim Two and another witness, the suspect approached Victim One and allegedly began physically assaulting her before being separated by additional witnesses. The victims then went to retrieve Victim One’s vehicle from a garage in the 500 block of 12th Road S., when the suspect approached them, brandished a firearm and made threatening statements… A struggle ensued, during which the suspect attempted to prevent Victim One from leaving.” [Arlington County]

Comcast Upping Broadband Speeds — “Comcast announced today that it has increased speeds for its most popular Xfinity Internet tiers, providing an extra boost for millions of residential customers across 14 northeastern states from Maine through Virginia and the District of Columbia.” [Comcast]

Va. Tornado Drill Today — “Join us for the Statewide Tornado Drill TOMORROW at 9:45 AM! Practice sheltering from a #tornado: Go to a lower level of your home or office, away from windows. Get under sturdy shelter like a desk if you can.” [Twitter]

Record High Temperature Set — “For the second day in a row, record highs were set across the area. Highs of at least 80 in Washington, 76 at Dulles, and 78 at BWI are all records for the date. That 80-degree reading in the city is 10th-earliest on record.” [Capital Weather Gang]

It’s Tuesday — Mostly cloudy throughout the day. High of 56 and low of 41. Sunrise at 6:31 am and sunset at 6:10 pm. [Weather.gov]

Three arrested after theft, scuffle with police in Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com

Two men and one woman are behind bars after police say they stole items from a Pentagon City store and tried — unsuccessfully — to flee from officers.

The incident happened around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday on the 1100 block of S. Hayes Street. (That’s the same block as the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City mall, though Arlington County police typically do not name the businesses that have been the victims of crimes.)

What started as a retail theft escalated to an assault on police after officers were able to quickly locate the suspects, according to a crime report.

“Police were dispatched to the report of a larceny in progress. Upon arrival, officers observed the three suspects fleeing from the business and gave them commands to stop,” said an ACPD crime report. “As the officers were taking Suspect One into custody, he resisted arrest and attempted to flee the scene. A struggle ensued, during which Suspect Two acted disorderly and attempted to strike the officers as they took Suspect One into custody.”

“Additional units arrived on scene and took into custody Suspect Two, as well as Suspect Three who was located on the metro platform,” the crime report continues. “During the course of the investigation, Suspect Three provided false identifying information, however the officers were able to subsequently properly identify him.”

One officer was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries, ACPD said.

Stolen merchandise was allegedly recovered from two of the suspects. A 21-year-old man, 36-year-old woman and 23-year-old man are now facing charges ranging from petty theft to assault on police to identify theft.

Man arrested after Clarendon bar fight allegedly turns into sidewalk knife fight

By ARLnow.com
Clarendon bars (file photo by Maddy Berner)

One man landed in jail and another person went to the hospital after a fight in and outside of a popular Clarendon nightlife venue.

The incident happened around 1 a.m. Sunday on the 3100 block of Wilson Blvd, the heart of Clarendon’s bar district.

“Officers working the Nightlife Detail were alerted to a fight outside of an establishment,” Arlington County police said today in a crime report. “Upon arrival, officers located the victim who had suffered a laceration and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The suspect had been detained by security personnel and was taken into custody by responding officers without incident.”

It started, police said, as a dispute between the victim and the suspect inside the venue, which police did not name. Both were kicked out of the bar, after which police say the suspect took out a knife.

“The victim was inside the establishment with a group of individuals when he became involved in a verbal dispute with the suspect,” said the crime report. “The suspect and the victim were removed from the establishment by security staff and once outside, a physical struggle ensued between them. The suspect then allegedly brandished a knife and struck the victim before employees of the establishment intervened and were able to detain him.”

Initial reports suggest the victim was cut in the neck and that one of the bar’s bouncers might have also suffered a minor injury in the fracas.

The alleged knife-wielding suspect — a 23-year-old man from Southampton, Pa., outside Philadelphia — was arrested and held without bond. He’s facing a charge of Malicious Wounding, a felony that comes with a minimum sentence of five years in prison if convicted.

Alan Henney contributed to this report

Police make arrests after pair of weekend robberies in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

Arlington police nabbed suspects in pair of robberies in Crystal City over the weekend.

The first happened just before midnight at an unnamed business on the same block of 23rd Street S. in Crystal City as the 7-Eleven store.

Police say a woman entering a business confronted a group of teens who pushed past her. They in turn allegedly struck her and stole her purse. Three suspects, two young men and a juvenile, were later taken into custody.

More from an ACPD crime report:

ROBBERY, 2022-02040274, 400 block of 23rd Street S. At approximately 11:51 p.m. on February 4, police were dispatched to the report of a fight in progress. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim was walking into the business when the three unknown suspects exited the business and physically pushed past the victim. The victim confronted the suspects who then turned around and allegedly began striking the victim. The victim fell to the ground and the suspects continued to strike her before stealing her purse containing credit cards and personal items. The suspects then fled the scene on foot. The victim sustained minor, non-life threatening injuries and did not require the treatment of medics. A lookout was broadcast and the suspects were located in the area and taken into custody without incident.

The next morning, another robbery was reported in the area, this time on the 1500 block of Crystal Drive, across the street from the Crystal City water park.

Police say they arrested a 27-year-old man after he allegedly stole merchandise from a business, shoved an employee and tried to resist arrest when officers arrived on scene. From ACPD:

ROBBERY, 2022-02050089, 1500 block of Crystal Drive. At approximately 9:45 a.m. on February 5, police were dispatched to the report of a larceny just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined that the suspect entered into a business and allegedly began to conceal merchandise into a bag before walking towards the exit without paying. An employee confronted the suspect and asked that he return the items but the suspect pushed the employee and fled the scene on foot. Employees followed the suspect and pointed him out to arriving officers. The suspect disregarded the commands of the officers and actively resisted arrest. Following a brief struggle, the suspect was taken into custody. During a search incident to arrest, officers located a tool on his person and determined he had thrown additional tools on the ground as he fled from the business.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Runners at Washington-Liberty High School in the mist and fog (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

APS Test-to-Stay Date Set — “Arlington County Public Schools, in Virginia, is planning to launch its test-to-stay program Feb. 14, a school spokesman said. The coronavirus testing will initially be offered to students only, for free, at Syphax Education Center from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on school days.” [WTOP]

Police Probe Particularly Problematic Pothole — “Scanner: Police responding to intersection of Washington Blvd and N. Sycamore Street in East Falls Church for multiple reports of a large pothole damaging passing cars.” [Twitter]

Another Guy Arrested With Gun at DCA — “A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer stopped a West Virginia man from bringing a loaded handgun onto a flight leaving from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) early Tuesday morning, according to a TSA release. The TSA officer detected the .40 caliber gun while searching the Bunker Hill, West Virginia man’s carry-on items at a DCA checkpoint.” [Patch]

ART Performance Is Best in Region — From MetroHero: “Our January 2022 regional bus performance reports are now live! ART: B. DASH: B-. Fairfax Connector: B-. MTA Local Bus: C. Metrobus: C-. Ride On: D+.” [Twitter]

Marymount to Host National Event — “Marymount University has been selected by the Center for Excellence in Education to host the national finals of the 2022 USA Biolympiad, to be held on campus May 28 to June 9. The USA Biolympiad is the nation’s largest cost-free biology-education testing and training program for high-school students in the U.S.” [Sun Gazette]

Photos: Church’s Lunar New Year Celebration — “Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass in honor of the Vietnamese New Year at Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Church in Arlington Jan. 30. Tet, or Vietnamese New Year, is celebrated Feb. 1 this year. Following Mass, Bishop Burbidge blessed a shrine to Our Lady of La Vang in a courtyard outside Holy Martyrs.” [Arlington Catholic Herald]

It’s Groundhog Day — Patchy fog today before 8 a.m. Otherwise, Groundhog Day will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Sunrise at 7:12 a.m. and sunset at 5:31 p.m. Rain likely Thursday, mainly before 1 p.m. Otherwise cloudy, with a high near 56. [Weather.gov]

Two arrested after assaults at Columbia Pike businesses over the weekend

By ARLnow.com

Police are investigating a pair of assaults in and across from Penrose Square along Columbia Pike.

The first happened around 8 p.m. Saturday at a Penrose Square business.

Police say a 34-year-old Silver Spring man was arrested and held without bond on Malicious Wounding charges after he broke a bottle and used it to cut someone, before fleeing the scene.

More from an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2022-01290213, 2500 block of 9th Road S. At approximately 8:01 p.m. on January 29, police were dispatched to the report of an assault just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined that the known male suspect entered a business, approached the victim and initiated a verbal dispute. During the dispute, the suspect allegedly broke a glass bottle, and began physically assaulting the victim and cut him with a piece of glass. The suspect then fled the scene on foot. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment of injuries considered serious but non-life threatening. Responding officers located the suspect nearby and took him into custody without incident.

The second incident happened around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, across the Pike from the first scene.

Police say a man was tossed out of a business by a security guard, suffering a serious injury after he was “allegedly shoved to the ground.” The employee, a 35-year-old Alexandria man, was arrested and charged with Malicious Wounding.

Like the first incident, ACPD did not reveal which business was involved. That block of Columbia Pike is home to two bars with late hours: L.A. Bar and Grill and Celtic House Irish Pub.

From ACPD:

MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2022-01290246, 2500 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 11:25 p.m. on January 29, police were dispatched to Virginia Hospital Center to meet with the victim of a malicious wounding which occurred earlier in the evening. Upon arrival, it was determined that at approximately 10:27 p.m., the victim was inside an establishment and asked to leave by staff. He refused to leave and was physically escorted by security staff towards the exit and allegedly shoved to the ground, causing injury. Medics transported to the victim to the hospital for treatment of injuries considered serious but non-life threatening.

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