Police are looking for a group of men who carjacked a man as he was getting out of his car around midnight last night.
The incident happened on the 2700 block of S. Fern Street, a dead-end residential street near a park in the Crystal City area.
Police are now searching for four suspects, including two who allegedly assaulted the man and forcibly took his keys, wallet and cell phone after he refused to turn them over when approached, according to an Arlington County Police Department crime report.
More from ACPD:
CARJACKING, 2022-07170241, 2700 block of S. Fern Street. At approximately 12:07 a.m. on July 18, police were dispatched to the report of a carjacking. Upon arrival, it was determined that the male victim was exiting his parked vehicle when he was approached by the two unknown suspects. The suspects pushed the victim against the vehicle and demanded his belongings. When the victim refused, Suspect One assaulted him and Suspect Two reached into his pockets and stole his car keys, wallet and cell phone. The suspects then pushed the victim out of the way and entered his vehicle, accompanied by two additional suspects, and fled the area at a high rate of speed. Officers canvassed the area for the suspect vehicle yielding negative results.
The last reported carjacking in Arlington happened on July 5.
Arlington police car at night (file photo courtesy Kevin Wolf)
(Updated at 4:10 p.m.) A man was attacked by two would-be robbers, including one with a gun, in the Courthouse neighborhood Friday night, police say.
The mugging happened around 10:30 p.m. in the area of Rocky Run Park.
The suspects threatened the victim with a gun after knocking him to the ground, but fled without stealing anything after he called out for help, according to police
From today’s Arlington County Police Department crime report:
MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2022-07080245, N. Barton Street at Fairfax Drive. At approximately 10:27 p.m. on July 8, police were dispatched to the report of an assault. Upon arrival, it was determined the male victim was walking southbound on N. Barton Street when Suspect One struck him with an unknown object, knocking him to the ground. Suspect Two then brandished a firearm, threatened the victim and demanded his property. The victim yelled for help and the suspects fled the scene on foot without the victim’s property. A canvass of the area for the suspects yielded negative results. The victim sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene by medics. Suspect One is described as a Black male in his 20’s, slim build, approximately 5’7, with short black hair, light-colored shirt and jeans. Suspect Two is described as a Black male in his 20’s, slim build, approximately 6’0, with short black hair wearing a light colored shirt and jeans. The investigation is ongoing.
The crime report also has details about an arrest made after an alleged road rage incident Friday afternoon.
Police say a 21-year-old Falls Church man was charged with brandishing a weapon after the incident — which started in Courthouse and ended with a dramatic, guns-drawn traffic stop along Route 50 — even though the weapon ended up being an airsoft gun.
Watch: @ArlingtonVaPD with guns drawn stopping a car a short time ago on Route 50 West at Irving St. Police had a report someone in the car was showing a gun in a threatening manner. The person who called 911 followed the car until police caught up. @ARLnowDOTcom#police#crimepic.twitter.com/id5Fx93Wqs
The man is facing additional charges, police say, because two children were inside his car at the time.
From ACPD:
BRANDISHING, 2022-07080144, 1500 block of N. Veitch Street. At approximately 1 p.m. on July 8, police were dispatched to the report of a brandishing. Arriving officers located the two involved vehicles and initiated a traffic stop in the area of Arlington Boulevard and N. Irving Street. The investigation determined the occupants of the vehicles had been traveling along Arlington Boulevard when they became involved in a traffic dispute, during which the passenger in the suspect vehicle allegedly displayed what was believed to be a handgun. During the traffic stop, officers recovered an airsoft gun inside the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle was also determined to have to juvenile occupants at the time of the incident. Manuel Rivas, 21, of Falls Church, VA was taken into custody without incident and charged with Brandishing and Contributing to Delinquency of a Minor (x2).
A shoplifting suspect led Arlington police on a foot chase in Pentagon City, then allegedly bit an officer before finally being taken into custody.
The incident happened Monday afternoon in the area of the Pentagon City mall, along the 1100 block of S. Hayes Street.
“At approximately 2:35 p.m. on June 27, police were dispatched to the report of a shoplifter in custody,” said an Arlington County Police Department crime report. “Upon arrival, it was determined that the suspect allegedly entered into the business, concealed merchandise, and left without paying when she was detained by loss prevention employees. During the course of the investigation, the suspect provided false identifying information to responding officers, however they were able to properly identify her.”
Then, shortly before 4 p.m., the suspect — a girl under the age of 18 — managed to escape police custody and run across the street with an officer in pursuit.
“While being secured inside the cruiser for transport, the suspect pushed past the officer and ran from the vehicle,” said the crime report. “A foot pursuit was initiated, during which the suspect disregarded the officer’s commands and while being detained, continued to resist arrest and bit the officer. The officer sustained minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. The suspect sustained minor injuries and declined the treatment of medics on scene.”
A tipster tells ARLnow that the suspect pushed past a resident entering the lobby of The Witmer apartment building, adjacent to the eastern entrance to the Pentagon City Metro station. It was in the lobby that the suspect allegedly battled with the officer, biting her and prompting a large police response after the request for backup.
“The suspect bit the officer and continued to struggle and resist arrest while she was being detained,” said ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage. “A witness assisted the officer and upon the arrival of additional police units, the suspect was successfully taken into custody in the 700 block of 12th Street S.”
It took 3-4 minutes for backup to arrive, locate the officer and suspect in the apartment lobby, and take the suspect into custody. The suspect is now facing multiple charges, including malicious wounding for the bites that sent the officer to the hospital.
“Petitions for Petit Larceny: Shoplifting, Identity Theft, Forging Public Records, Escape from Custody, and Malicious Wounding of a Law Enforcement Officer were obtained for the juvenile suspect,” said the crime report. “The investigation is ongoing.”
Rainy evening on Crystal City’s 23rd Street restaurant row (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
New Renderings of Days Inn Development — “The plans to replace the Days Inn on Arlington Boulevard with 251 multi-family units and around 3,000 square feet of retail are coming into focus. New plans filed with Arlington County last week provide the first renderings for The Arva, the eight-story project designed by STUDIOS Architecture.” [UrbanTurf]
Yorktown Girls Lax Wins State Tourney — “After qualifying for the state tournament for the first time in 2019 and enjoying success by going 1-1 and losing in the semifinals, the Yorktown Patriots were hungry for much more in that competition. This spring, the girls lacrosse team indeed got considerably more, by winning the Virginia High School League’s Class 6 state tourney with a 3-0 record and capping its best season in program history.” [Sun Gazette]
Woman Assaults Officers in Pentagon City — “1100 block of S. Hayes Street. At approximately 9:00 p.m. on June 11, police were dispatched to the report of a disorderly subject. Upon arrival, officers met with security who advised the female suspect had been smoking inside the building and they wanted her banned from the property. Officers located the suspect and asked her to leave the premises. During the incident, the suspect became combative and struck an officer in the face. The suspect continued to attempt to strike the officers, and with the assistance of an additional responding officer, she was taken into custody.” [ACPD]
Buses Causing Damage in Ballston — “Another Arlington light pole bites the dust, this time in Ballston. Police are on the scene. A tour bus that was here earlier, possibly the striking vehicle, has since left… More bus mayhem in Ballston: a tour bus ran over and damaged some of the landscaping in front of the Westin hotel, per a reader who sent this photo.” [Twitter]
Cobbler Moving to Alexandria to Expand — “After twenty years in Pentagon Row, family-owned leatherworking shop Best Foot Forward is moving to the Bradlee Shopping Center in Alexandria early next month… ‘My dad started it as a one-man business. Now we’re looking to expand and Bradlee would be twice as big.'” [ALXnow]
Va. Realtors Worried About Market — “Members of the Virginia Realtors trade group report declining sales conditions and more concern about the future, owing to higher interest rates, more inventory and perhaps the sense among some residents that it’s time to batten down the hatches rather than take on the responsibility of a new home.” [Sun Gazette]
Arlington Bear Now in Fairfax County? — “A bear was sighted in the Belle Haven area on Thursday (June 9), and one Nextdoor user snapped some photos of it crossing George Washington Memorial Parkway near Belle View Boulevard… The Fairfax County Police Department says its Animal Protection Police and wildlife management specialist were alerted to bear sightings in the area over the weekend. The department has also received recent reports of a young bear moving through McLean.” [FFXnow]
Missing Middle Modifications in Portland — “The Portland City Council unanimously approved a long list of seemingly technical zoning tweaks that ease the city’s rules on construction of… housing types like townhomes, fourplexes, and cottage clusters… The program got hearty praise at the time as the nation’s most ambitious low-density zoning reform. It’s spawned an infant industry of developers building smaller, more affordable ‘missing middle’ housing. Nevertheless, the results thus far have been fairly modest, producing only about 100 additional units since the program went into effect in August 2021.” [Reason]
It’s Tuesday — Rain and storms, potentially severe, in the morning. Clearing in the afternoon. High of 82 and low of 73. Sunrise at 5:44 am and sunset at 8:36 pm. [Weather.gov]
Police are looking for two men who seriously injured a would-be Good Samaritan who tried to intervene in a dispute in Crystal City.
The early morning incident happened around 2 a.m. Thursday, on the block of 23rd Street S. near the 7-Eleven and the Exxon station. It reportedly involved the victim, the suspects, and a woman with whom the pair were engaged in an argument.
Despite being serious injured, the victim declined medical treatment, according to police.
More from an Arlington County Police Department crime report:
… the male victim stated that at approximately 1:40 a.m., he observed a dispute between a female subject and the two male suspects. The victim intervened, during which Suspect One struck and kicked the victim. A witness assisted the victim who was able to enter his parked vehicle. Suspect One then struck and damaged the window to the vehicle before fleeing the scene on foot. The victim sustained serious, non-life threatening injuries and declined the treatment of medics.
The suspects remain at large and “the investigation is ongoing,” ACPD said.
A Maryland woman is facing charges after allegedly stealing flowers and punching a cop in the face.
The incident happened late Monday afternoon, during the Memorial Day holiday.
Arlington County police say they were initially dispatched to the scene, along the 200 block of S. Glebe Road, for a report of a larceny in progress.
“Upon arrival, officers made contact with the reporting party who stated the female suspect had stolen flowers and destroyed a planter outside of their business,” said today’s ACPD crime report. “The officers located the suspect in the area and attempted to detain her. The suspect resisted and struck one of the arresting officers in the face before being taken into custody.”
Businesses on that block of S. Glebe Road include a 7-Eleven store and a service station. Police did not identify the business involved.
The 34-year-old suspect from Rockville, Maryland was arrested and charged with Assault and Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer and Destruction of Property.
“She was held without bond,” the crime report noted.
$5.09 for gas in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Merlene Drops Out of Delegate Race — From Nicole Merlene: “After much consideration I have made a personal decision not to seek the nomination for Virginia’s House of Delegates 2nd District in 2023… To those who have donated to me, you will receive a full return of your kind contributions.” [Twitter, Twitter]
Hammer Attack in Clarendon — “3100 block of Clarendon Boulevard. At approximately 2:45 a.m. on May 27, police were dispatched to the report of a fight. Upon arrival, officers located the male suspect and victim and it was determined following a verbal dispute, the suspect allegedly struck the victim in the head with a hammer.” [ACPD]
APS Literacy Challenges — “Supervisors with Arlington County’s English Language Arts Program submitted a report to the school board that highlights the challenges in meeting student literacy needs. According to the report, about 19% of county students were classified in what is known as the red ‘at risk’ category when looking at literacy skills. For Black students, the number placed in the at risk category in grades 3-5 has increased, while Hispanic students have seen increases in grades four and five.” [WTOP]
Large House Becoming Group Home — “The looming, not-family-friendly structure at 27th and N. Sycamore sts.–whose owners have long struggled to keep the place occupied — on May 9 sold for $1.6 million, per Zillow. The purchaser is the Fairfax-based Pathway Homes Inc. The nonprofit plans to convert the awkward three-floor, seven-bedroom house (zoned R-6 in single-family residential) to a home for 15 residents (with professional staff present) for a program for Arlingtonians suffering from mental illness, substance abuse and other disabilities.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Report: Va. Short 200k Affordable Homes — “A new report from the state’s Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission says Virginia is short at least 200,000 affordable rental units. Soaring rent prices are forcing a growing number of people to think twice about where home is.” [WSLS]
Small Fire at Rosslyn Safeway — From Dave Statter: “Watch for Wilson Blvd. to be shut in Rosslyn between Oak & Pierce due to a report of a fire in an oven at the Safeway.” [Twitter]
Small House Fire in Bluemont — “Careful on Wilson Boulevard near N. Lexington (near Bon Air Park) in #Arlington. Hose across Wilson Boulevard due to a small and under control house fire being handled by @ArlingtonVaFD.” [Twitter]
It’s Tuesday — Hot and humid throughout the day. High of 91 and low of 71. Sunrise at 5:47 am and sunset at 8:29 pm. [Weather.gov]
An Arlington man is facing charges after allegedly shoving and threatening a county parking aide.
The incident happened Thursday afternoon along S. Lowell Street in the Green Valley neighborhood.
“At approximately 3:52 p.m. on May 19, police were dispatched to a report of an assault,” said an Arlington County Police Department crime report. “Upon arrival, it was determined that the suspect’s vehicle was in the process of being towed when he confronted the Public Safety Aide (PSA). During the confrontation, the suspect allegedly threatened the PSA before physically pushing him. Responding officers took the suspect into custody without incident.”
The 20-year-old suspect was charged with Assault and Battery and released on an unsecured bond, police said.
Earlier Thursday, yet another series of auto crimes was reported, this time in the Ashton Heights neighborhood. Officers found nine vehicles with windows smashed along the 800 block of N. Lincoln Street, according to the crime report.
“At approximately 8:34 a.m. on May 19, police were dispatched to the report of a destruction of property,” said ACPD. “Upon arrival, it was determined that between 11:00 p.m. on May 18 and 6:00 a.m. on May 19, the unknown suspect(s) smashed the windows to nine vehicles and stolen items of value from two of the involved vehicles. There is no suspect(s) description. The investigation is ongoing.”
Dozens of vehicle thefts, break-ins and other such crimes have been reported across Arlington over the past few weeks.
In an apparent case of mistaken assumptions, a woman pepper sprayed someone she believed to be a stranger taking photos of children. The kids, however, were his.
The incident happened on the 1100 block of S. Hayes Street, the same block as the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City mall, around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.
“Police were dispatched to the report of an assault in progress,” said today’s Arlington County Police Department crime report. “Upon arrival, it was determined that the unknown female suspect approached a security guard and stated she believed the victim was taking pictures of juveniles not known to him.”
“The security guard made contact with the victim and determined he was taking photos of his children,” the crime report notes. But that explanation apparently did not satisfy the woman, who then pulled out a can of pepper spray.
“The suspect then intervened, deployed pepper spray and sprayed the victim, before fleeing the scene on foot,” the crime report says. “The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries and was treated on scene by medics. The investigation is ongoing.”
The suspect, said to be in her late 20s or early 30s, remains at large. She is being sought on a charge of “malicious injury by caustic agent.”
Residential buildings on the 1200 block of N. Garfield Street in Clarendon (via Google Maps)
A Clarendon man has been arrested and charged with attacking a worker who was washing his windows.
The incident happened Tuesday afternoon, at one of the residential buildings on the 1200 block of N. Garfield Street, along Clarendon Blvd.
“At approximately 3:45 p.m. on April 12, police were dispatched to the report of an assault. Upon arrival, officers met with the victim who stated that he was working as a window washer when he lowered himself onto the suspect’s balcony, removed his harness and prepared to clean the windows,” Arlington County police said in a crime report today.
“The suspect exited the residence and began yelling at the victim, during which the suspect allegedly threw the victim’s safety equipment out of his reach and pushed the victim,” the crime report continues. “A second window washer intervened and the two were able to safely remove themselves from the balcony. No injuries were reported.”
The 50-year-old suspect was taken into police custody “without incident,” the crime report says. He was held without bond and charged with abduction and attempted malicious wounding.
Arlington County police typically do not provide an exact address for the location of alleged crimes.
Heavy rain along the Potomac River, with Rosslyn in the background (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Mysterious Bug Bites Reported — Arlington residents are against dealing with red and intensely itchy bug bites, the cause of which is so far unclear. One theory is that last year’s scourge of oak mites are back. [Facebook, WUSA 9]
Catalytic Converter Thefts in Fairlington — “A resident has reported that the catalytic converter on their Toyota Prius was stolen during the night March 21, 2022. The converter was physically cut away from the vehicle. There have been 7 similar thefts of catalytic converters reported from the Fairlington neighborhoods.” [Twitter]
Man Pistol Whipped By Intruder — “2000 block of S. Kenmore Street. At approximately 2:15 p.m. on March 22, police were dispatched to the report of trouble unknown. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim was inside his residence when the three known suspects forced entry inside and struck him with a firearm. The victim then deployed pepper spray and the suspects fled the scene. The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. Warrants were obtained for one suspect.” [ACPD]
Gym in Crystal City Unionizes — From Washingtonian’s Andrew Beaujon: “Movement Crystal City is the US’s first unionized climbing gym. We wrote about this place when it was called Earth Treks.” [Twitter, Twitter]
Help for Arlington’s Ukrainian Sister City — “That partnership, which came to fruition after years of advocacy by Sonevytsky, has mostly focused on cultural and professional exchanges. But the unprovoked Russian attack on Ukraine last month changed all that. Now, the Arlington Sister City Association and the volunteer group that runs the Ivano-Frankivsk relationship are focused on a new mission: helping send humanitarian aid to their partner city and educating Arlington residents about their community’s ties to a place now in a war zone.” [WAMU]
Reminder: Free Observation Deck in Rosslyn — “If you’re looking for views of the blossoms at the Tidal Basin and beyond, head to The View of DC, located at 1201 Wilson Boulevard! This 360-degree observation deck is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with evening hours until 9 p.m. on Mondays!) and admission is free with a valid government ID.” [Rosslyn BID]
Injunction Against Va. Mask-Optional Law — “Preliminary injunction granted by the federal court preventing defendants from enforcing EO 2 and SB 739 (the mask-optional law) in schools where the plaintiffs & their children are enrolled.” [Twitter, Washington Post, WJLA]
Pappy Is Back at Virginia ABC — “Good news bourbon lovers: Virginia’s annual Pappy Van Winkle lottery is back — this year with two types of Van Winkles… Anyone 21 and over with a valid Virginia driver’s license (you have to prove it when you show up to purchase) can enter the lotteries on Virginia ABC’s website from Wednesday, March 23 until Sunday, March 27 at 11:59pm.” [Axios]
It’s Thursday — After early morning storms, light rain throughout much the day. High of 66 and low of 58. Sunrise at 7:06 am and sunset at 7:25 pm. [Weather.gov]
