arrest

Police: Man who tried to enter gym without membership fights two officers, tries to take their guns

By ARLnow.com

A Fairfax County man is facing numerous charges after an incident at the Planet Fitness in Pentagon City.

Police say the man was stopped by an off-duty military police officer when he tried to walk into the gym without a membership Friday afternoon. A physical altercation ensued, during which the 28-year-old suspect allegedly tried to take the officer’s gun.

An Arlington County officer joined the fray and the intoxicated suspect also tried to disarm her, according to a police department crime report. She urgently called for backup, which arrived quickly and helped to take the suspect into custody.

More from ACPD:

ASSAULT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, 2021-12170145, 1300 block of S. Joyce Street. At approximately 3:05 p.m. on December 17, police were dispatched to the report of a fight in progress inside a business. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the two male subjects and determined that one of the subjects was an off-duty military police officer who was attempting to detain the suspect. The suspect disregarded the commands of the arriving officer and moved further into the business. As the officers were attempting to take him into custody, he continued to disregard their commands, act disorderly and resist arrest. A brief struggle ensued, during which the suspect grabbed at an officer’s exterior vest and attempted to disarm her. With the assistance of additional officers, the suspect was taken into custody without further incident. The suspect was treated by medics and medically cleared on scene. The investigation determined that the suspect allegedly entered into the business where he did not have a membership and became involved in a physical altercation with the off-duty military police officer, during which he attempted to remove his credentials and disarm him. [The suspect], 28, of Springfield, Va., was arrested and charged with Assault & Battery on Police, Attempting to Disarm a Law Enforcement Officer (x2), Obstruction of Justice, Trespassing and Public Intoxication. He was held without bond.

Two men arrested after assaults on police in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 2:35 p.m.) Arlington police had their hands full in Clarendon early this morning.

First, a rowdy bar patron allegedly started an altercation with police after getting kicked out of a venue on the 3100 block of Wilson Blvd, Clarendon’s busiest stretch of bars. shortly after midnight. The man, a 33-year-old D.C. real estate agent, tried to flee and was arrested after a brief foot chase, according to Arlington County police.

Then, a second man approached and tried to sucker punch a female officer in the back of the head, according to ACPD. The man is also accused of throwing jackets at officers as they took him into custody.

More details from today’s ACPD crime report:

ASSAULT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, 2021-12160006, 3100 block of Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 12:26 a.m. on December 16, police were dispatched to the report of a disorderly conduct regarding a subject who had been removed from an establishment by security and was attempting to reenter. Upon arrival, officers observed the suspect involved in a verbal dispute with a group of individuals. Officers made contact with the suspect who became uncooperative and aggressive during their investigation. When officers attempted to take the suspect into custody, he actively resisted arrest, kicked an officer multiple times and attempted to flee the scene on foot. A brief foot pursuit was initiated and the suspect was subsequently taken into custody. [The suspect], 33, of Washington D.C., was arrested and charged with Drunk in Public, Obstruction of Justice, and Assault & Battery on Police. He was held on no bond.

ASSAULT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, 2021-12160013, Wilson Boulevard at N. Irving Street. At approximately 12:36 a.m. on December 16, police were on scene investigating the previous incident (2021-12160006), when the uninvolved male suspect approached an officer from behind and attempted to strike her in the back of the head. Other officers intervened and as they attempted to take the suspect into custody, he threw jackets at officers, continued to act disorderly and resisted arrest. The suspect was subsequently taken into custody without further incident. [The suspect], 29, of No Fixed Address, was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct, Obstruction of Justice, and Assault & Battery on Police. He was held on no bond.

There has been a spate of assaults on law enforcement in Arlington recently. Two other notable incidents were reported over Thanksgiving weekend.

ARLnow no longer publishes the names of suspects, with the exception of public figures, major criminal cases, and situations in which the suspect’s identity is a key component of the story. Suspect names are still published in Arlington crime reports.

Shot fired inside home near Woodstock Park

By ARLnow.com

Police are investigating an incident in which a man fired a gunshot inside a residents one block from Woodstock Park, in the Waverly Hills neighborhood.

The gunfire rang out around 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Police say the man who fired the gunshot called police and was carrying a gun when police detained him.

He was brought to a local hospital for evaluation after alleging that “several armed individuals” were coming to get him.

More from an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

WEAPONS VIOLATION, 2021-12070040, 4600 block of 20th Road N. At approximately 7:31 a.m. on December 7, police were dispatched to the report of a person with a gun. Upon arrival, officers located the reporting party walking in the area with a firearm in his hands and detained him. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the reporting party had discharged the firearm inside of the residence and then left the scene as several armed individuals were allegedly approaching. The reporting party was transported to an area hospital for medical evaluation. There is no description of the other individuals. The investigation is ongoing.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Crew boats in the Potomac River at twilight near Rosslyn (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Homes Coming to Large N. Arlington Property — “The Febrey-Lothrop estate in the county’s Dominion Hills neighborhood, located at 6407 Wilson Blvd. not far from the Fairfax County line, will soon see work begin on nine two-story homes, according to county permit records. The permit applications were filed last month by the property’s new owner: KLTOLL AIV LLC, a company controlled by New York-based Kennedy Lewis Investment Management…. Elise Cleva, a spokeswoman for the county’s Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, noted in an email the plans aren’t set in stone and ‘could change at any point if the owners decide not to construct all nine or if any issues prevent them from constructing the intended number of houses.'” [Washington Business Journal]

Demolition of 19th Century Home — “The circa-1889 Fellows-McGrath House in East Falls Church was being demolished [Monday], making way for a new home or homes. Photo courtesy of Charlie Clark.” [Twitter]

Bomb Squad Response in Courthouse — From yesterday afternoon: “There’s a suspicious package response on the 1300 blk of N. Courthouse Road, a block from the county government and police headquarters. Police requested the bomb squad respond to the location around 10:15 a.m., per ACPD. Sounds like the closed roads will reopen soon.” [Twitter]

Police: Drunk, Armed Man Arrested in Rosslyn — “N. Lynn Street at Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 4:08 a.m. on December 5, police were dispatched to the report of a male asleep behind the wheel of a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers located the running vehicle, made contact with the sole occupant who was in the driver’s seat and observed a firearm in plain view on the passenger’s seat… During a search of the vehicle prior to towing, ammunition was recovered. [The suspect], 45, of Accokeek, MD, was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence, Refusal of Breath/Blood Test and Violent Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” [ACPD]

Tucker Carlson Interrupts Dems at Meeting — “The Dec. 1 Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting was held in person, but also broadcast online via YouTube for those unable to attend. Technological gremlins… were in evidence. The meeting began about 15 minutes past its scheduled 7 p.m. start time when the YouTube connection proved unstable. Far worse, indeed horrific, from a Democratic point of view: Midway through the meeting, the screen that was used for PowerPoint presentations at the meeting suddenly started serving up the sounds of… Tucker Carlson on FOX News.” [Sun Gazette]

Wakefield Football Coach Steps Down — “Wayne Hogwood’s successful nine-year tenure the winningest head coach in the history of the Wakefield High School football program has come to an end. Hogwood stepped down in recent days because of family matters. He has three young children who are heavily involved in multiple youth sports, and Hogwood wants to spend time for the next couple of years, or so, being involved with watching them play during the fall and helping his wife transporting the three to games and practices.” [Sun Gazette]

It’s Tuesday — Cold weather is back and snow is on the horizon. Today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 41. Sunrise at 7:14 a.m. and sunset at 4:45 p.m. Tomorrow there is a slight chance of rain, snow, and sleet before 7am, then rain and snow likely between 7am and 4pm, then snow likely after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. [Weather.gov]

ACPD: Man suspected in thefts from two cars leads officers on foot chase near Columbia Pike

By ARLnow.com

A Connecticut man has been jailed after police say he stole items from two cars and then tried to run from officers.

The arrest happened early Monday morning in the Columbia Forest neighborhood, near Columbia Pike.

Officers initially responded after a man said his car was moved and a man was rummaging through it. The man brandished the gun as the car’s owner approached, according to police.

The suspect allegedly led arriving officers on a brief foot chase before being taken into custody.

More from an ACPD crime report:

WEAPONS VIOLATION, 2021-11290031, S. Frederick Street at 10th Street S. At approximately 3:19 a.m. on November 29, police were dispatched to the report of a suspicious person. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim had left his parked vehicle running and upon returning, discovered it had been stolen. The victim canvased the area of S. Frederick Street and 10th Street S. and located his vehicle parked and the male suspect rummaging through it. As the victim approached the vehicle, the suspect turned and allegedly brandished a handgun before fleeing the scene on foot. Arriving officers canvased the area and observed the suspect walking in the 900 block of S. Columbus Street. As officers attempted to speak with the suspect, he ran and a brief foot pursuit was initiated before he was taken into custody without incident. During the course of the investigation, a handgun, items belonging to the victim and items from a separate larceny from auto in the 5000 block of 10th Street S. were recovered. [The suspect], 21, of Norwich, Ct., was arrested and charged with Grand Larceny Auto, Brandishing a Firearm, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Larceny from Auto (x2), Vehicle Trespassing (x2). He was held on no bond.

ACPD: Officers assaulted by drunk men in Rosslyn, Crystal City and Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com

(Updatedat at 1:40 p.m.) The Thanksgiving weekend was not much of a holiday for Arlington County police.

In two separate incidents in Rosslyn and Pentagon City, on Thursday and Friday respectively, drunk men allegedly bit and assaulted ACPD officers.

The first incident, just before noon on Thanksgiving, took place on the 1500 block of Wilson Blvd, the same block as the Target store. An intoxicated man who was making threats inside an unspecified business was taken into custody and proceeded to kick and try bite officers, according to police. He also declined to identify himself and police still do not know his name.

On Friday night, police faced off with another intoxicated man, this time in the area of the Pentagon City mall. The 26-year-old Maryland resident allegedly bit and spat at officers after being taken into custody for refusing to leave a closed business.

More details from an ACPD crime report:

ASSAULT & BATTERY ON POLICE, 2021-11250093, 1500 block of Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 11:51 a.m. on November 25, an officer on patrol was flagged down by employees of a business for the report of a suspect allegedly making threats. A lookout was broadcast, and, while en route to the call, another officer observed the suspect nearby and detained the visibly intoxicated individual. Employees of the business declined prosecution for the threats and wished to have him banned from the premises; however, the suspect was placed under arrest for being drunk in public. When officers attempted to search the suspect incident to arrest, he actively resisted, kicking an officer and their patrol vehicle. The suspect then attempted to bite an officer multiple times as he wrapped his legs around them and continued to actively resist. Officers attempted to continue to search the suspect on the ground, and he continued to resist by kicking and flailing, striking an officer and causing a laceration. The suspect refused to identify himself and attempts to determine his identity were unsuccessful. John Doe was arrested and charged with Assault and Battery on Law Enforcement (x2), Obstruction of Justice, and Drunk in Public, and held on no bond.

ASSAULT & BATTERY ON POLICE, 2021-11260168, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street. At approximately 10:16 p.m. on November 26, police were dispatched to assist with the removal of an intoxicated individual inside a closed business. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the individual and attempted to have him leave the property. The individual was uncooperative and as the officers attempted to place him into custody, he ran and fell a short distance away. Once in custody, the individual continued to act disorderly and spat at the officers. While being transported to an area hospital for medical clearance prior to booking, he bit an officer’s finger. Upon arrival at booking, he refused to exit the transport vehicle and had to be carried inside. [The suspect], 26, of Landover, MD, was arrested and charged with Assault on Police (x2), Obstruction, Drunk in Public and served with an outstanding warrant out of Fairfax County, VA.

Separately, police said in a crime report today that an intoxicated suspect arrested in Crystal City on Monday evening kicked officers.

ASSAULT & BATTERY, 2021-11290183, 3500 block of S. Ball Street. At approximately 5:00 p.m. on November 29, police were dispatched to the report of a dispute. Upon arrival inside the residential building, officers made contact with the male suspect and attempted to detain him but he began acting disorderly and actively resisted arrest. A brief struggle ensued, during which the suspect was taken into custody; however, he continued to act disorderly and kicked one of the officers. The investigation determined that the female victim was with the suspect when she heard him allegedly make threats to harm her while on the phone with another individual. During the course of the investigation, the suspect provided officers what was later determined to be a false identity. [The suspect], 28, of Forestville, Md., was arrested and charged with Drunk in Public, Threatening Language Over a Phone, Obstruction of Justice, Assault & Battery on Police, and Identity Theft.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Local Man Charged in Bailey’s Xroads Shooting — “Fairfax County police have charged a 33-year-old Arlington man in connection with a shooting that occurred Nov. 20 at the Food Star supermarket at 5521 Leesburg Pike. According to police, officers were called to the store at 6:43 p.m. by Harvey Coleman, of Arlington, after he reported to police he had shot someone in self-defense… Following several interviews and the review of surveillance footage, detectives have charged Coleman with malicious wounding and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.” [Sun Gazette]

Ice Cream Store Now Open in Pentagon City — “Have I got a scoop (get it?) for my followers! For those who may be in search of a sweet treat this afternoon, Mimi’s Handmade Ice Cream opened today at ⁦@PentagonRow⁩ (Westpost). Impressive variety.” [Twitter]

Arlington Vet Chooses Health Career — “After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, she was commissioned as an Army officer and chose to attend flight training, following in her late father’s footsteps. Soon, she was soon piloting Blackhawk helicopters… it was the time she was in the military that really prepared her for physician-assistant school.” [Sun Gazette]

It’s Monday — Today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Northwest wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Sunrise at 7:06 a.m. and sunset at 4:47 p.m. Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 51. South wind 5 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. [Weather.gov]

UPDATED: Police pursue fleeing suspects in Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com
1/4

(Updated at 6:15 p.m.) Four people have been taken into custody after a police pursuit through Pentagon City.

Initial reports suggested that police were trying to pull over two suspects in a white SUV near the Fashion Centre mall. The SUV had at least one flat tire, possibly flattened by officers using “stop sticks,” but refused to stop.

The driver, struggling to control the SUV due to the flat tire or tires, reportedly took a sudden detour through the Harris Teeter parking lot with police trailing behind.

A traffic camera showed the SUV exiting the parking lot onto Army Navy Drive, near the mall garage entrance, followed by multiple police cruisers. Arlington County police have a policy against giving chase except in certain circumstances, but officers radioed to the dispatch center that they were merely following the swerving SUV at a rate of speed below the speed limit.

The SUV could be seen turning onto S. Hayes Street, and shortly thereafter its occupants fled on foot. One person ran through the mall, with officers in pursuit, before being taken into custody in the parking garage on the food court level, according to scanner traffic. Officers told dispatchers that they subsequently recovered two guns.

Many of those details were confirmed in an account of the incident provided to ARLnow. From Arlington County police spokeswoman Ashley Savage:

At approximately 3:41 p.m. on November 23, police were alerted to a possibly stolen vehicle in the area of the 800 block of Army Navy Drive. Officers located the parked, unoccupied vehicle and confirmed its status as stolen. Five subjects subsequently returned to the vehicle and police attempted to stop them. Two subjects were detained without incident, one subject fled on foot, and two subjects fled in the vehicle. Officers deployed stop sticks, causing the rear tires of the vehicle to deflate, however the driver continued to travel at a low rate of speed around the area. Arlington County Police did not pursue the vehicle. With the assistance of Virginia State Police, the vehicle was stopped at 12th Street S. and S. Hayes Street and the driver of the vehicle was taken into custody without incident. The passenger fled on foot and officers initiated a brief foot pursuit before taking the subject into custody without further incident. One subject remains outstanding. During the investigation, two firearms were recovered. The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

At least one vehicle was reported to have been struck while the suspects made their attempted getaway, though at this point it’s unclear where.

Southbound S. Hayes Street in front of the mall was partially blocked by the police activity after the incident.

Police: Group of five robbed two kids in Ballston, near W-L High School

By ARLnow.com

Police are continuing to investigate a reported armed robbery in the Ballston area.

The robbery happened Friday afternoon, not far from Washington-Liberty High School. A group of five teens, one of whom was armed with a gun, allegedly threatened and stole items from two juvenile victims.

All five were later detained by police near the Metro station. One of the suspects is facing several felony charges.

More from the Arlington County Police Department:

ROBBERY, 2021-11190127, 4100 block of 11th Street N. At approximately 3:21 p.m. on November 19, police were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, it was determined the two juvenile victims were walking in the area when they were approached by the five juvenile suspects. The suspects allegedly threatened the victims, demanded their property and Suspect One lifted his sweatshirt to display a firearm. The suspects stole personal property belonging to the victims before fleeing the scene on foot. A lookout was broadcast and responding officers located the suspects near the Ballston Metro. Petitions for Use of Firearm in Commission of a Felony, Robbery and Brandishing a Firearm Near School were obtained for Suspect One. The other suspects were released to their guardians and the investigation is ongoing.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Arrests in Cold Case Murder — Updated at 7:50 a.m. — “The Arlington County Police Department’s Cold Case Unit is announcing James Christopher Johnson, 59, of Alexandria, Va, and Bobby Joe Leonard, 53, have been charged in relation to the 1998 homicide of Andrea Cincotta in the Colonial Village neighborhood. Mr. Johnson is being held without bond at the Arlington County Detention Center and Mr. Leonard is being held on unrelated charges at Wallens Ridge State Prison. On August 21, 1998, 52-year-old Andrea Cincotta was found dead inside the bedroom of the apartment she shared with Mr. Johnson in the 1700 block of N. Rhodes Street.” [Washington Post, ACPD]

Cool Reception for Climate Emergency Push — “A proposal by two local environmental groups that the Arlington County government declare a ‘climate-change emergency’ received the back of the hand, albeit politely delivered, from County Board members on Nov. 13… ‘We hear you… but understand that we are not able to declare an emergency that gives the local government broader power,’ [said] County Board member Christian Dorsey.” [Sun Gazette]

It’s Friday — Today will be sunny, with a high near 47. Northwest wind 11 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Sunrise at 6:56 a.m. and sunset at 4:51 p.m. Increasing clouds Saturday, with a high near 49. A slight chance of showers after 1 p.m. Sunday, but otherwise mostly cloudy with a high near 55. [Weather.gov]

Photo courtesy Tom Mockler/Twitter

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
The U.S. Air Force Memorial (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

YHS Wins State Field Hockey Championship — “Yorktown field hockey sticks to its routine to accomplish something it never has before… Patriots beat Western Branch, 1-0, for their first state championship.” [Washington Post]

ACPD Ramping Up Seat Belt Enforcement — “The Arlington County Police Department is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the national Click It or Ticket campaign. Law enforcement agencies across the country will increase enforcement efforts from November 16 – 28, 2021, to work towards reducing the number of fatalities that occur when motorists fail to buckle up.” [ACPD]

County Has Available Kid Vax Appointments — “Arlington County Public Health is continuing vaccinations for 5-11-year-olds this week, Monday-Friday from 2-7 p.m. Over 6,000 kids ages 5-11 have already received their first dose. Schedule your appointment today.” [Twitter]

Arlington Man Charged in Fatal Crash — “A tip led to the arrest Monday of a 54-year-old Arlington man wanted on charges of DUI-related involuntary manslaughter and operating without a driver’s license in connection with a Nov. 6 crash in Montclair that killed a Dumfries man. Investigators obtained warrants Thursday for John William Harris… but attempts to locate him had been unsuccessful, police said.” [InsideNova]

Free Coffee at Taco Bamba — “To promote the breakfast menu and the free coffee program, Taco Bamba is giving away branded coffee tumblers to the first 50 guests at each store who purchase a breakfast item.” [Press Release]

Secret Santas Wanted — From Arlington County: “You can make the holiday season a little happier for some of Arlington’s most vulnerable residents by taking part in the @ArlingtonDHS’ Secret Santa/Holiday Giving Program. This program benefits Arlington’s at-risk residents.” [Twitter]

It’s Tuesday — Today will feature mostly cloudy skies through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 53. Sunrise at 6:52 a.m. and sunset at 4:53 p.m. Tomorrow will be sunny, with a high near 65. [Weather.gov]

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