arrest

ACPD: Man Pulled Gun on Tow Driver, Ran from Police

By ARLnow.com

A 29-year-old D.C. man is behind bars after police say he pulled a gun on a tow truck driver early this morning.

The incident happened just before 3:30 a.m., near the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Walter Reed Drive. Police say a tow truck driver was about to tow a car when the suspect approached, brandishing a gun and demanding the car be released. He then drove off.

The suspect and his car were later spotted a few blocks away, in Alcova Heights. Police say he took off on foot, tossed the gun and tried to scale a fence, but was tased by officers and taken into custody.

The suspect is now facing a battery of charges, including robbery, reckless driving and weapons violations.

More from an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

ARMED ROBBERY, 2020-08280038, S. Walter Reed Drive at Columbia Pike. At approximately 3:21 a.m. on August 28, police were dispatched to the report of a brandishing. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim had finished securing the suspect’s vehicle prior to towing it when he was approached by the suspect, who allegedly brandished a firearm, threatened the victim and demanded the release of the vehicle and items of value. The victim complied and the suspect fled in his vehicle. Arriving officers located the suspect vehicle parked and unoccupied in the area of 9th Street S. and S. Monroe Street and observed the suspect walking in the area. As additional officers arrived on scene, the suspect fled on foot and a brief foot pursuit ensued, during which the suspect discarded the firearm he was carrying. The suspect ignored lawful commands of officers and attempted to flee over a fence. An officer successfully deployed their taser and he was taken into custody without further incident. Drake Anthony, Jr., 29, of Washington, D.C., was arrested and charged with charged with Robbery, Brandishing a Firearm, Reckless Handling of a Firearm, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, Obstruction of Justice, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and Reckless Driving, and held on no bond.

Police: Drunk, Naked Man Tased Twice on Lee Highway

By ARLnow.com

A man who was walking down Lee Highway while drunk and naked last night was arrested after being tased twice by officers, according to Arlington County police.

The incident happened shortly before 9 p.m., roughly between Spout Run Parkway and the Inns of Virginia hotel.

Police say they received multiple calls about a naked man “shouting in and around a business.” Officers found him “carrying a knife and walking in the roadway.”

The man dropped the knife but did not comply with other commands, resulting in a Taser being used. After that didn’t work, a second Taser was deployed and the man was taken into custody, the police department says.

More from an ACPD crime report:

DRUNK IN PUBLIC (SIGNIFICANT), 2020-08180160, 3100 block of Lee Highway. At approximately 8:52 p.m. on August 18, police were dispatched to the report of an exposure after the Emergency Communications Center received numerous calls about a naked male shouting in and around a business in the 3300 block of Lee Highway. Responding officers located the subject, who was carrying a knife and walking in the roadway in the 3100 block of Lee Highway. The officers made contact with the subject and provided lawful commands to drop the weapon and get on the ground. The subject dropped the knife but remained confrontational and failed to comply with the officer’s commands. An officer deployed his taser which was ineffective. A second taser was deployed, allowing the subject to be taken into custody without further incident. The subject was transported by medics to an area hospital for evaluation. A summons for Drunk in Public was issued.

Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf

Arlington Man Accused of Grabbing Girl

By ARLnow.com

A 40-year-old Arlington man is accused of a sex offense after police say he touched a girl inappropriately in the Arlington Heights neighborhood late last year.

The incident happened around 5 p.m. on Dec. 10, 2019. Police say the girl and two other juveniles were walking down the 300 block of S. Irving Street, near Thomas Jefferson Middle School, when the suspect approached the group and grabbed the girl from behind.

Playford Ray Resh, 40, was arrested near Clarendon last week, the Arlington County Police Department announced today. He’s now facing an Aggravated Sexual Battery charge.

More from ACPD:

The Arlington County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit is announcing the arrest of a subject charged with a sex offense involving a juvenile. Playford Ray Resh, 40, of Arlington, VA was arrested and charged with Aggravated Sexual Battery. He is being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.

At approximately 5:12 p.m. on December 10, 2019, police were dispatched to the 300 block of S. Irving Street for the report of an assault that just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined that three juveniles were walking in the area when the suspect allegedly began to follow them. The suspect then approached the female victim from behind, grabbed her buttocks and placed his hands around her, pulling towards him. The victim pushed the suspect away and yelled for help. The suspect fled the scene on foot prior to police arrival and a canvas of the area returned with negative results.

Detectives assigned to the Special Victims Unit began a thorough investigation into the incident. A review of witness interviews, tips from the public and crime scene evidence led detectives to identify Mr. Resh as a suspect. He was taken into custody without incident in the 3300 block of Wilson Boulevard on the evening of August 13, 2020.

This remains an active criminal investigation. Anyone who has additional information related to this investigation or may have had past inappropriate encounters with this suspect is asked to contact Detective S. Gomez at 703-228-4173 or [email protected]. Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Police: Woman in Stolen Vehicle Twice Tried to Flee Traffic Stops

By ARLnow.com
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Several vehicles were damaged Wednesday afternoon after a woman in a vehicle that was reported stolen twice tried to ram her way out of traffic stops, according to police.

The incident started shortly after 4 p.m. in the Buckingham neighborhood.

Police say the woman stole a car that was left idling and unattended, near the intersection of N. Henderson Road and N. Thomas Street, and was subsequently spotted driving north of N. Glebe Road near Route 50.

She refused to stop for officers, but was followed through Ballston by police in unmarked vehicles, as witnessed by an ARLnow reporter. Police tried to block her in on N. Monroe Street, near the Arlington Arts Center, but she reportedly hopped the curb and kept driving. The mirror of a parked vehicle, as well as the front of a police SUV, appear to have been damaged in the process.

An Arlington County Police Department crime report details what happened next.

“Officers briefly lost sight of the vehicle, but located it again when the suspect backed into a parking spot in the 3300 block of 2nd Street S.,” near Thomas Jefferson Middle School, according to the crime report. “The suspect refused to exit the vehicle and began to drive again, striking a cruiser blocking it into the spot.”

“Spike sticks were deployed as the driver attempted to flee again by reversing the vehicle onto the curb behind it,” the crime report continues. “Following multiple attempts to have the suspect exit the vehicle, officers forced entry and took her into custody without incident.”

“Latia Hill, 27, of No Fixed Address, was arrested and charged with Grand Larceny: Motor Vehicle Theft, Eluding Police and Reckless Driving, and held on no bond,” the crime report concludes. “During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the suspect also struck a parked vehicle in the area of Wilson Boulevard and N. Monroe Street.”

A Virginia State Police trooper assisted with the final traffic stop, according to scanner traffic. No injuries were reported.

Arlington County police recently warned residents of a wave of thefts of unattended vehicles, many of which are delivery vehicles.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Local Real Estate Market Rebounds — “After an uncharacteristically slow spring, thanks to stay-at-home orders and economic uncertainty stemming from Covid-19, Washington’s residential real estate market had a record-breaking July. According to the latest local data, the median home sale price in the DC metro area hit a 10-year high last month.” The median days on the market for Arlington, meanwhile, is seven. [Washingtonian, InsideNova, Twitter]

I-395 Wrong-Way Driver Arrested — “A woman driving the wrong way on northbound Interstate 395 Tuesday morning struck two vehicles before taking off, Virginia State Police said. The crash at 4:49 a.m. sent debris across the interstate and shut down all northbound lanes before Washington Boulevard in Arlington for roughly an hour.” [WTOP]

Long Bridge Project May Be Delayed — “The good news is that the coronavirus pandemic has not derailed one of the region’s most important transit projects: the construction of a second Long Bridge over the Potomac River reserved exclusively for Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express passenger trains. The bad news is that due to revenue shortfalls directly related to the pandemic, the $3.7 billion, 10-year project may be significantly delayed.” [Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, Twitter]

W-L Student Dies Unexpectedly — “Generals, it is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of one of our own. Adrian Vega-Alcantara, a student in the 11th grade, passed away suddenly of heart failure on August 10.” [Washington-Liberty High School]

Local Reaction to Veep Pick — “Amid a strong field of highly qualified women, Senator Harris stands out as a powerful and historic choice,” said Rep. Don Beyer. ” I know from our time together in the Senate that she’ll be great for the ticket and more importantly, great for our country,” said Sen. Tim Kaine. [Press Release, Twitter]

Meteor Shower This Week — “Make sure you stay up late one evening (or wake up early) to see the annual Perseid meteor shower! It will peak this week on the mornings of Wed, Thu, and Fri.” [Twitter, EarthSky]

ACPD: Man Arrested After Violent Outbursts in Ballston

By ARLnow.com

An Alexandria man is in custody after police say he punched a random person walking by in Ballston, and then headbutted and spat on a police officer.

The incident happened around 6 p.m. last night, along N. Randolph and Stuart streets, as well as Wilson Blvd, according to police and witnesses.

“Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim was walking in the area when the suspect allegedly began yelling at him and approached him,” says an Arlington County Police Department crime report. “The victim moved away from the suspect, who then allegedly struck him in the side of the head. The suspect then continued walking away, before arriving officers made contact with him.”

“The suspect was acting disorderly and actively resisted officers while being placed in handcuffs,” the crime report continues. At that point officers on scene called for backup, sending numerous other officers speeding to help, according to scanner traffic at the time.

“As medics attempted to evaluate the suspect, he spit on an officer,” the crime report alleges. “While conducting a search incident to arrest, the suspect struck an officer with his head, causing minor injuries. At booking, the suspect continued to act disorderly and spit on a deputy.”

The 29-year-old man is now facing two counts of Assault and Battery on Law Enforcement and one count of Assault and Battery.

One witness told ARLnow there were actually multiple victims, including himself. The incident, the witness said, started at the Dunkin Donuts on N. Stuart Street.

“He then walked east on Wilson Blvd assaulting random people, yelling racial and homophobic slurs, knocking down trash cans then throwing bottles at cars in the street,” said the witness, who captured a video (below) showing the suspect screaming as police tried to restrain him.

Photo (top) courtesy Stephen Repetski

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Dorsey’s Union Check ‘Lost in the Mail’ — “The $10,000 donation that cost Metro board member Christian Dorsey his position was returned to the agency’s largest union five months ago, but the check was never cashed — because it was lost in the mail, Dorsey and the union said.” [Washington Post]

Opioid Overdoses Rise in Arlington — “Since the start of the year, nine individuals have recovered from opioid overdoses following the deployment of Nasal Naloxone (also known as Narcan) by responding officers. This comes as the number of police investigated incidents involving opioids begins to rise, with fatal incidents now surpassing those reported in 2019.” [Arlington County]

Crash in Crystal City Last Night — “ACPD on scene of an overturned vehicle and downed tree on Route 1 at 20th Street S. Two people self-extricated from the vehicle, reported to be a black Mercedes.” [Twitter]

Arlington Man Facing Child Porn Charges — “An Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigation by federal, state and local agencies has resulted in the arrest of an Arlington man. Detectives arrested Christopher Morse, 51, and charged him with five counts of Possession of Child Pornography.” [Arlington County]

5G Antennas to Be Deployed on Light Poles — Updated at 9:10 a.m. — “We are excited to share that a new 5G streetlight pole prototype is on display in Courthouse (southwest corner of 14th Street North and North Courthouse Road) until Aug. 7. ” [Twitter, Arlington County]

Differing Views on Trail Widenings — “Some who oppose NoVA Parks’ proposed W&OD Trail widening in Arlington, support widening the northern section of the Mt. Vernon Trail. Longtime bicycle activist Allen Muchnick says the proposed Mt. Vernon Trail widening is not really comparable to NoVA Parks’ proposed W&OD widening for multiple reasons.” [Audrey Clement]

Va. Real Estate Market Heating Up — “According to the June 2020 Home Sales Report released by Virginia REALTORS, home sales in most regions of Virginia are rebounding, following spring’s slowdown due to COVID-19. There were 13,176 home sales statewide in June 2020, up 0.5% from a year ago and up nearly 30% over May 2020 sales.” [Press Release]

Flickr pool photo by Cyrus W.

Four Arrested, Charged With Violent Car Thefts

By ARLnow.com

Four men have been arrested following a car chase and a pair of alleged carjackings.

The violent incidents happened Tuesday afternoon and evening. Police say three of the men, who are all 18 years of age, first knocked a man unconscious in a Ballston parking garage and stole his Honda Civic.

While driving the stolen car, they later rear-ended a BMW on S. Glebe Road, in the Crystal City/Potomac Yard area, and then “began performing donuts in the roadway” before getting out, striking the female driver of the BMW in the head and stealing her car, according to police.

The stolen BMW was found crashed in D.C. The Civic was spotted by Fairfax County police and the four men were subsequently taken into custody after a brief car chase, Arlington County Police said.

In an unrelated car-related incident, an unattended vehicle was reportedly stolen on S. Eads Street this afternoon in the Crystal City/Pentagon City area — a crime similar to one reported near the Pentagon City Costco parking lot last month.

More from an ACPD press release:

Four suspects are facing charges following a series of auto-related crimes in which the vehicles were taken by force. Destiny Morris, 18, of Annandale, VA, Denali Goodridge, 18, of Washington D.C., Treshawn Taylor, 18, of Alexandria, VA and Ayinde Mason, 18, of Washington D.C. have been charged with carjacking. Additional charges are pending.

At approximately 2:37 p.m. on July 21, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery by force in the 4600 block of Fairfax Drive. Upon arrival, it was determined medics responded to the report of a man down. When the victim regained consciousness, he reported having been assaulted by three unknown male suspects while walking through the garage after parking his vehicle. Following the assault, the suspects stole the victim’s Honda Civic and personal belongings before fleeing the scene in his vehicle. The victim was transported by medics to an area hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

At approximately 6:06 p.m. on July 21, police were dispatched to the report of a hit-and-run crash at the intersection of Potomac Avenue and S. Glebe Road. Upon arrival, it was determined the victim was stopped at a red light when she was rear ended by the suspect vehicle, which was determined to be the Honda Civic previously reported stolen from the 4600 block of Fairfax Drive. The victim pulled over, called police and exited her BMW to assess the damage. The suspect then proceeded past her and began performing doughnuts in the roadway before driving back towards the victim and parking in front of her vehicle. Four suspects then exited the vehicle and surrounded the victim. One suspect struck the victim in the head, got into her vehicle and fled the scene with the Honda Civic following behind.

A lookout was broadcast to area law enforcement agencies for the stolen vehicles. The Metropolitan Police Department recovered the unoccupied BMW after it crashed, and the occupants fled the scene. The Honda Civic was located in Fairfax County and, following a brief pursuit by Fairfax County Police Department, the suspects were taken into custody.

This incident remains an active criminal investigation and the arrestees are suspects in additional auto offenses in Arlington. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4180 or [email protected]. Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Safety Tips and Crime Prevention Measures

The Arlington County Police Department is sharing the following tips to help keep you safe when using and parking your vehicle:

  • Park in well-lit, high traffic areas
  • Exit your vehicle and continue to your destination promptly after parking
  • Be aware of your surroundings when entering and exiting your vehicle
  • If in doubt, don’t get out of your vehicle — drive away and park someplace else
  • Never leave your vehicle running unattended, even if you are making short trips
  • Limit your use of devices that may distract you, such as cell phones and headphones
  • Don’t leave items unattended or visible in your vehicle

The department’s efforts to prevent crime in Arlington County are enhanced by the active involvement of the public. If you observe suspicious activity or are the victim of a crime, contact police immediately by calling the Emergency Communications Center at 703-558-2222 or 911 in an emergency.

Man Accused of Biting Police Officer in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

A North Carolina man accused of exposing himself to police officers earlier this month is now accused of biting an officer.

The latest incident happened Sunday afternoon in the Clarendon area. Arlington County Police say they were called after the 36-year-old knocked over store displays and stole items from local businesses.

The suspect then flung stolen merchandise at responding officers and bit one officer during a struggle, according to police.

More from an ACPD crime report:

ASSAULT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, 2020-07190142, 2800 block of Clarendon Boulevard. At approximately 2:56 p.m. on July 19, police were dispatched to the report of a disorderly subject at a business. Upon arrival, it was determined that the suspect was outside the entrance to a business in the 2700 block of Washington Boulevard, where he allegedly knocked over merchandise displays. The suspect then left that business and went into a second business in the 2800 block of Clarendon Boulevard where he went behind the counter and attempted to steal an employee’s cell phone before being confronted. He then left and entered a neighboring business, where he stole merchandise and fled on foot. Arriving officers located the suspect nearby, however, he refused to follow commands, threw stolen merchandise at an officer and continued walking away in traffic. Officers located the suspect in the 1200 block of N. Garfield Street and attempted to stop him, however he ignored lawful commands and bit an officer. Following a brief struggle, the suspect was taken into custody. The three businesses declined prosecution but requested the suspect be banned from their locations. The officer was not injured. David Morris, 36, of Fayetteville, N.C. was arrested and charged with Assault & Battery on Police and Obstruction of Justice. He was held on no bond.

Arrests Made in Columbia Pike Homicide

By ARLnow.com

Two Maryland men have been arrested and charged with murder, following a fatal triple shooting along Columbia Pike late last month.

“Christopher Rather, 27, of Oxen Hill, MD, and Franklin Lambright, 27, of Temple Hills, MD, have been charged with Murder and are being held in Prince George’s County, Maryland pending extradition back to the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Arlington County Police said in a press release over the weekend.

“The suspects were apprehended with the assistance of the Prince George’s County Police Department and the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force,” the press release continues. “Additional charges are pending.”

One person was killed and two injured after shots were fired into a crowd early on a Sunday morning along the 3000 block of Columbia Pike. Police are not revealing the exact circumstances that led to the shooting, other than to say that it stemmed from a dispute of some kind.

“The investigation indicates there was a dispute between multiple parties prior to the shooting,” ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage tells ARLnow. “As the parties separated, the suspects allegedly entered a vehicle and fired shots into the crowd before fleeing the scene.”

The man who died was found dead in a vehicle two blocks away. He was identified by police as 21-year-old Donovan Green, Jr., of Upper Marlboro, Md. Two other people suffered minor injuries and arrived at a local hospital on their own.

“This incident remains an active criminal investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact police at 703-228-4180 or [email protected],” Savage said. “Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).”

Green’s killing was the third homicide of 2020 in Arlington County.

Arlington Woman Arrested After Double Stabbing Near Hospital

By ARLnow.com

A 23-year-old Arlington woman is behind bars after a double stabbing early this morning, a block from Virginia Hospital Center.

The stabbing happened around 3:15 a.m. on the 1900 block of N. Edison Street, in the High View Park neighborhood. According to police, a woman approached two victims outside their house, took out a knife, and stabbed both.

The suspect fled on foot, but was later spotted and arrested in the Ballston area.

Both victims suffered non-life threatening injuries. The suspect has been charged with two felony counts of Malicious Wounding and is being held without bond.

Police say the victims knew the suspect, but there’s no word on a motive.

More from the Arlington County Police Department:

MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2020-07160019, 1900 block of N. Edison Street. At approximately 3:14 a.m. on July 16, police were dispatched to the report of a stabbing just occurred. Arriving officers located two victims outside of a residence and immediately began to render aid. Both victims were transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The investigation determined that the victims were returning to their residence when the known suspect approached them from behind and began pulling on one victim’s backpack. As they turned around, the suspect allegedly produced a knife and stabbed both victims before fleeing on foot with the backpack prior to police arrival. Officers canvased the area and located the suspect in the area of Washington Boulevard and N. Stafford Street, where she was taken into custody without incident. Zulma Franco Lopez, 23, of Arlington, Va., was arrested and charged with Malicious Wounding (x2) and held on no bond.

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