arrest

Jogger, Driver Tangle During Alleged Road Rage Incident in Courthouse

By ARLnow.com
File photo

(Updated at 3:30 p.m. on 12/23/21) An Arlington man is being accused of almost running over a jogger during a fit of road rage near Courthouse.

The alleged incident happened Saturday around 10:15 a.m. Police say a jogger was crossing 10th Street at N. Barton Street when a man driving an older BMW  “nearly struck” him in the crosswalk.

A verbal exchange ensued and in a “fit of rage” the driver “proceeded forward” with the jogger still in front of the car, said Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

“The driver proceeded forward causing the victim to jump on the hood and was driven approximately 20-30 feet before hitting the brakes and throwing the victim to the ground,” according to the crime report. “The victim did not sustain injury and the suspect fled the scene, located at his residence a short time later. Geoffrey [Redacted], 65, of Arlington, VA, was arrested and charged with attempted unlawful wounding. He was released on a $5000 unsecured bond.”

A witness told police that the jogger had the walk signal when he was initially almost struck.

Lyon Park Resident Finds Drunk Man Sleeping on Porch

By ARLnow.com

Police car lightsAn 37-year-old Arlington man was arrested early Thursday morning after he was found sleeping on the porch of a Lyon Park home.

A homeowner on the 200 block of N. Fillmore Street says he woke up just after midnight to the sounds of someone trying to open the front door. He went downstairs and discovered a man apparently passed out on the porch.

After trying but failing to wake him up, the homeowner called police. In an email, he described to ARLnow.com what happened.

Last night at 12:05 am (early Thursday morning 3/05/15) I was woken up by what sounded like somebody trying to operate the handle on my front door. That was followed by a ring of the doorbell. I walked downstairs and turned on my porch lights to discover somebody slumped over on my porch furniture. I turned on all of the outside lights hoping that would force him to move, but it didn’t work so I called 911 to report it. The operator said she would send medics and police.

A few minutes later one fire truck, one ambulance and one police car arrived. It took them a few minutes to get the man to respond to them. I overheard him tell the officer that he lives at “Pottery Barn,” but eventually I’m pretty sure he said he lives somewhere on Lee Highway.

He was placed in the back of a police cruiser and presumably taken to jail. He was VERY inebriated.

According to Arlington County police spokesman, the man was arrested, charged with being drunk in public and held at the jail until sober.

This past Saturday, in a similar incident, a homeowner in nearby Ashton Heights woke up and discovered a 22-year-old Arlington man asleep and covered in vomit in his dining room.

Homeowner Finds Stranger Covered in Vomit in Dining Room

By ARLnow.com
File photo

(Updated at 3:30 p.m. on 12/23/21) A 22-year-old Arlington man has been arrested after he was found covered in vomit in an Ashton Heights home.

Police say a homeowner on the 700 block of N. Lincoln Street awoke around 2:00 a.m. Saturday, went downstairs to let his dog outside and discovered a man he did not known passed out on his dining room floor, covered in vomit.

The homeowner attempted, unsuccessfully, to wake the man up. He then called police.

“The subject was highly intoxicated and confused,” said Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. “He was unable to stand on his own.”

The man was transported to Virginia Hospital Center, then arrested upon being released. Matthew [Redacted], 22, was charged with unlawful entry and felony destruction of property — for allegedly destroying a rug worth more than $1,000.

Police say [Redacted] admitted that he had been drinking at Mister Days the night before. He didn’t know how he got into the house, Sternbeck said.

Man Arrested for Dozens of Car Break-Ins

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 3:35 p.m. on 12/23/21) Police say they caught a man they suspect of breaking into dozens of cars in Rosslyn “red-handed” over the weekend.

The arrest happened around 1:40 a.m. Saturday, on the 1100 block of Wilson Blvd.

Arlington County police officers were conducting a plainclothes detail in Rosslyn, in response to the break-ins, when they spotted a man who looked like a “person of interest” seen in earlier security camera images.

The man, 54-year-old Antoine [Redacted], was “caught red-handed attempting to break into a vehicle with a screwdriver,” according to ACPD spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

[Redacted], who is homeless and was known to stay in the Rosslyn area, is suspected of “at least 50 vehicle break-ins in the month of February,” Sternbeck said. Police are continuing to investigate whether Kennedy might have been responsible for even more break-ins.

[Redacted] has been charged with habitual petit larceny, possession of burglarious tools and felony destruction of property. He was held without bond.

Crime Report: Grocery Store Robbery Foiled

By ARLnow.com

Police car lightsA 19-year-old McLean man was arrested Tuesday after a daytime robbery attempt at a grocery store.

The incident happened just after noon, at the Safeway on the 3700 block of Lee Highway. Police say a man implied that he had a weapon and demanded cash. The store’s manager was able to subdue the suspect and hold him until police arrived.

From this week’s Arlington County crime report:

ROBBERY, 150217009, 3700 block of Lee Highway. On February 17 at 12:03 pm, a male suspect entered the Safeway and attempted to rob the store demanding money and assaulting the store manager and implied he had a weapon. The manager was able to detain the suspect until police arrived. Enkhamar Tserenorj, 19, of McLean, VA, was arrested and charged with robbery and assault & battery. He was held without bond.

Last Friday, just before Valentine’s Day, a man allegedly used a master key and bolt cutters to break into his ex-wife’s apartment in the Columbia Heights West community.

Once inside, police say the man assaulted the woman and her boyfriend.

BURGLARY/ASSAULT, 150214003, 700 block of S. Florida Street. At 11:53 pm on February 13, a male subject gained entry to his ex-wife’s apartment by using a master key and bolt cutters. The suspect forced his way into the bedroom and physically assaulted the 44 year-old female victim and her boyfriend. The suspect fled and was located by police at a relative’s house. Gonzalo Cruz, 45, of Arlington, VA, was arrested and charged with burglary, possession of burglarious tools, destruction of property and assault. He was held without bond.

The rest of this week’s crime report, after the jump. All named suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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Metro Contractor Arrested for Stealing Copper in Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com

Daniel Groseclose (photo courtesy Metro Transit Police)A Maryland man who worked for a Metro maintenance contractor has been arrested and charged with stealing items from a Rosslyn construction site.

Police say 42-year-old Daniel Groseclose of Edgewater, Md. was employed by Kone, a company that does elevator and escalator repair work for Metro, when the thefts were discovered. He’s accused of stealing copper that was located on a construction site near the Rosslyn Metro station. The copper was owned by the electrical contractor M.C. Dean.

Metro Transit Police announced Groseclose’s arrest Friday afternoon.

“It is alleged that on at least two occasions last fall, Groseclose stole sections of copper wire and tubing from the site,” Transit Police said in a press release. “Kone was cooperative with the investigation, and has advised Metro that they have since dismissed Groseclose as an employee.”

“Groselose was arrested by Anne Arundel County Police on MTPD’s arrest warrant in Virginia,” the release continued. “He is expected to face two counts of grand larceny once extradited to Arlington County.”

Police: Man Tried to Kiss Uber Driver, Then Stole Her Phone

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 2:50 p.m. on 12/23/21) A drunk Arlington resident tried to kiss the driver of his Uber ride then stole her phone when his unwanted advances were rebuffed, according to Arlington County police.

The incident happened just after 6:00 p.m. Saturday evening, on the 2200 block of S. Garfield Street in Nauck. Police say 31-year-old Richard [Redacted], who was intoxicated, became belligerent after trying to kiss the Uber driver.

“When she resisted the subject assaulted her and prevented her from calling police,” according to a crime report. “The subject stole her phone and left it on the front steps of his residence.”

The woman’s phone was “recovered by a witness.” Police arrested [Redacted] at his home shortly thereafter. While being hauled off to jail he allegedly tried to kick out the rear window of the police cruiser.

[Redacted] has been charged with robbery, preventing a 911 call and attempted destruction of property. He was held without bond.

Update at 11:15 a.m. — An Uber spokeswoman has issued the following statement about the incident to ARLnow.com:

“This is an appalling and serious crime. We are in contact with our valued driver partner and will continue to provide support. Upon learning of the incident we immediately and permanently removed the rider from our platform, and stand ready to assist authorities.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

A dusting of snow in January (Flickr pool photo by Brendan)

School Boundary ‘Refinements’ Approved, Parents Peeved — The Arlington School Board on Thursday approved a series of small “refinements” to elementary school boundaries in North Arlington by a 3-1 vote. The changes will impact a few dozen current McKinley and Tuckahoe elementary students over the next two school years, transferring those students to other nearby schools. Several parents whose kids are affected have contacted ARLnow.com, calling the process and subsequent decision “short sighted,” “pointless” and “a sham.” [Arlington Public Schools, InsideNova]

Big, Tire-Eating Pothole on Wilson Blvd — An Arlington resident says he got a flat tire after driving over a monster pothole in the left-hand lane of westbound Wilson Blvd at N. Patrick Henry Drive. Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services responded to the man’s tweet, saying repair crews have been notified. [Twitter]

ACPD Assists with Bust of Diner Owner — The owner of a popular Baltimore diner has been arrested in a cocaine sting that Arlington County police helped to arrange. Prosecutors say Anthony Vasiliades, owner of the Sip & Bite diner, which was featured on the TV show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” tried to buy $50,000 worth of cocaine from an undercover Arlington detective. [Baltimore Sun]

Casting Call for Arlington Cyclists — More than 50 people have signed up for a casting call for a promotional campaign that will highlight “everyday Arlington citizens who use a bicycle as means of commuting and/or recreation.” The casting call for the county-sponsored campaign, which will feature six short documentary films, ends today. [Modacity, Twitter]

County Planning Effort Launches — The Arlington County and School Boards have jointly appointed a 24-member “Facilities Study Committee” that is tasked with building “a consensus framework regarding the community’s future funding and facility needs.” The launch of the committee comes as Arlington Public Schools faces push back from residents as it tries to find county-owned land on which to build badly-needed new schools. [Arlington County]

Flickr pool photo by Brendan

Police Chase Started Because of Expired Inspection Sticker

By ARLnow.com
1/10

A D.C. man is facing felony charges following a police chase that ended in Arlington yesterday, all because of an expired inspection sticker.

Police say 27-year-old Kenneth Kelley, Jr. was driving a 1995 Chevy Tahoe in Dale City yesterday around 1:00 p.m., when a Virginia state trooper noticed the expired inspection sticker. The trooper tried to make a traffic stop, but Kelley refused to pull over and sped away, according to a Virginia State Police press release.

Kelley and his two passengers were soon tailed by a phalanx of state troopers and the Fairfax County Police helicopter, as he headed north toward Arlington. From VSP:

The suspect vehicle made its way to the Prince William Parkway and then northbound on Interstate 95 and then into Arlington County on I-395. The Tahoe took the Glebe Road exit and continued into a residential neighborhood. The driver and two passengers pulled up to a residence on South Veitch Street, parked the Tahoe, fled the vehicle on foot and broke into the residence.

State police entered the residence and took all three males into custody without incident. No one was at the residence at the time it was broken into.

Kelley has been charged in Arlington with felony eluding and unlawful entry. He’s also charged with felony eluding in Prince William County, as well as misdemeanor charges for the expired inspection sticker, improper registration, driving on a suspended license and disregarding traffic lights.

Kelley was also wanted by an outstanding warrant, as was a passenger.

Passenger, Robert Hall, 21, of Washington, D.C., was charged with one count of unlawful entering of a dwelling and identity theft. Hall was wanted by Prince George’s County, Md. Police on an outstanding warrant.

The other passenger, Nathaniel Pickett, 55, of Washington, D.C., was charged with one count of unlawful entering of a dwelling.

The investigation remains ongoing at this time.

No injuries or vehicle crashes resulted from this pursuit.

The Fairfax County Police helicopter was instrumental in assisting state police with following the suspect vehicle and locating the subjects at the residence. In addition, the Arlington County and City of Alexandria Police Departments also assisted with the incident.

State Troopers Swarm Arna Valley As Police Chase Ends in Residential Neighborhood

By ARLnow.com
1/10

A police chase that started in Prince William County ended in Arlington’s Arna Valley neighborhood this afternoon.

Virginia State Police reportedly began pursuing a green Chevrolet SUV in Prince William , following it up I-95 and I-395. The SUV took the Glebe Road exit off I-395 around 1:00 p.m., speeding toward the residential neighborhood of Arna Valley, near Shirlington.

The suspects bailed out on S. Veitch Street, between 26th and 27th Streets. All three were quickly apprehended.

Dozens of police officers, including state troopers and Arlington County officers, swarmed the area as the pursuit ended. A Fairfax County Police helicopter could be seen overhead. Nearby Gunston Middle School was secured for a short time during and after the chase.

Per department policy, Arlington County Police were not involved in the pursuit.

So far there’s no word on what charges the suspects are facing, or on what state troopers might have found in the SUV.

Separately, around 3:00 p.m., Virginia State Police were in pursuit of a vehicle involved in a felony hit-and-run. The chase was called off as the vehicle was approaching Arlington on northbound I-395, according to scanner traffic.

Update at 5:00 p.m. — Virginia State Police have released a statement about both chases.

PURSUIT #1 – Prince William County to Arlington County

At approximately 12:53 p.m. Wednesday, a Virginia State Police trooper was on patrol along Cardinal Drive (near Minnieville Road) in Dale City when a 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe with an expired inspection sticker passed by. The trooper initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, which refused to stop and sped away from the trooper. The suspect vehicle made its way to the Prince William Parkway and then northbound on Interstate 95 and then into Arlington County on I-395. The Tahoe took the Glebe Road exit and continued into a residential neighborhood. The driver and two passengers pulled up to a residence on South Veitch Street, fled the vehicle on foot and entered the residence. All three males have been taken into custody without incident and charges are pending. The investigation remains ongoing at this time.

No injuries or vehicle crashes resulted from this pursuit.

The Fairfax County Police helicopter was instrumental in assisting state police with following the suspect vehicle and locating the subjects at the residence. In addition, the Arlington County and City of Alexandria Police Departments also assisted with the incident.

PURSUIT #2 – Stafford County to Arlington County

At approximately 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, a Virginia State Police trooper was in the crossover at the 137 mile marker in Stafford County monitoring northbound traffic when a Toyota Camry came through radar at 94 mph. When the trooper pulled out to initiate a traffic stop on the car, it sped away in excess of 100 mph. The car continued northbound on the shoulder and weaving through lanes. Within 10 minutes near the 158 mile marker in Prince William County, the trooper terminated the pursuit for public safety purposes. The Toyota continued northbound. There were three subjects in the vehicle.

At 2:53 p.m., Virginia State Police were notified of a hit-and-run crash in the northbound lanes of I-395 at the Seminary Road Exit. Based on witness statements, it is believed this crash was caused by the same Toyota Camry. A Honda Civic was northbound on I-395 when it was sideswiped by a black sedan. The black car continued northbound at a high rate of speed. The driver of the Honda Civic, a 24-year-old Woodbridge woman, was transported to Inova Alexandria Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. She was wearing a seat belt and was the car’s only occupant.

Anyone with information about the black Toyota Camry with Tennessee plates is asked to please contact the Virginia State Police at 703-803-0026 or #77 on a cell phone.

Man Arrested Inside Clarendon Apple Store

By ARLnow.com

Man arrested in the Apple Store (photo courtesy Clayton Lott) Police cars outside the Apple Store

(Updated at 10:50 a.m.) Police tackled and arrested a theft suspect inside the Clarendon Apple Store on Tuesday.

The incident happened around 4:15 p.m., at the store at 2700 Clarendon Blvd. We’re told that the suspect tried to use stolen credit cards at the store, then tried to flee when police arrived. He was tackled and taken into custody.

As police confronted the suspect, one officer erroneously radioed that he had a gun. That prompted a large police response to the scene, but ultimately no gun was found.

“While officers were attempting to arrest the suspect, he resisted arrest violently and during the struggle, one of the officer’s ammunition magazines became dislodged from its carrier,” Arlington County Police Department spokesman Lt. Kip Malcolm told ARLnow.com. “The officer, who was still struggling with the suspect, saw the magazine and believed it to be from the suspect so he requested additional backup. After the suspect was taken into custody, they were able to quickly determine that the suspect was not armed.”

Just two hours later, three more suspects were arrested at the Apple Store for “attempting to obtain iPhones through false pretenses,” Malcolm said in an email.

“As the iPhone is viewed by many to be a valuable commodity, there are many attempts to fraudulently obtain or steal them from Apple Stores in the region,” he said. “Because there are a high concentration of Apple Stores in our region, suspects will often travel to the D.C. metropolitan area to perpetrate these crimes.”

No injuries were reported.

Photo (left) courtesy Clayton Lott

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