breaking news

BREAKING NEWS — Bank Robbery on Lee Highway

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 4:35 p.m.) The BB&T bank at 5515 Lee Highway was robbed this afternoon — the second robbery there so far this summer.

The suspect (seen, left, in a surveillance image from today) is described as a 6-foot-tall white male in his late 50’s. The man, who has graying hair under his baseball cap, walked into the bank and demanded money, according to Arlington Police spokeswoman Det. Crystal Nosal. No weapon was shown or implied.

Police believe he’s the the man who’s suspected of three other bank robberies in Arlington this summer, including a robbery in June at the very same bank and a robbery yesterday in Clarendon.

This is the sixth bank robbery in Arlington and the ninth bank robbery in the Arlington and Falls Church areas since the beginning of June.

Photo courtesy Arlington County Police Department

BREAKING NEWS — Bank Robbery in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

A robbery has been reported at the Wachovia Bank at 3140 Washington Boulevard in Clarendon.

Initial reports suggest a suspect implied he had a weapon, then made off with cash. Police are looking for the suspect, who fled on foot. He’s described as an older white male with scruffy facial hair.

This is the fifth bank robbery in Arlington since the beginning of June. There have also been two bank robberies in the neighboring Falls Church area during that time.

Update at 4:10 p.m. — In a press release (which includes surveillance photos), Arlington Police say that the suspect in today’s robbery appears to be the same man responsible for the robbery of two BB&T banks in June.

The Arlington County Police Department’s Robbery Unit is investigating a bank robbery that occurred this morning in the Clarendon area of Arlington County.

On Wednesday, August 3, 2011, at approximately 11:10 am, police responded to the 3100 block of Washington Boulevard for a bank robbery that just occurred. An unknown male entered a Wachovia/Wells Fargo Bank and demanded money from a teller while implying that he was armed with a weapon. The suspect fled the area after receiving cash.

The suspect is described as a white male with facial hair, in his late 50’s, 6’ tall with a medium build. At the time of the robbery he wore a white short-sleeve polo shirt with horizontal stripes, light colored pants and a dark colored baseball cap. This man appears to be the same suspect who robbed two BB&T Banks in Arlington during June 2011.

Anyone who has information about this robbery or the identity of the suspect is asked to call the Arlington County Police Department Tip Line at 703 228-4242, or Detective Donald Fortunato at (703) 228-4197. Det. Fortunato can also be reached by email at [email protected].

BREAKING NEWS: Bank Robbery

By Katie Pyzyk

 

Updated at 12:18pm  Police are are looking for a man who robbed the BB&T bank at 6120A Arlington Boulevard in Falls Church. The suspect was reportedly seen fleeing the scene on foot wearing a surgical mask. There was a report that he was seen in the area of Upton Hill Regional Park.

This bank was hit earlier this month, also by a man wearing a surgical mask.

Arlington County Police are also on the lookout for the suspect.

Breaking: Accident Causes I-395 Delays

By Katie Pyzyk

Updated at 2:43 All lanes of I-395 have been reopened at Arlington Ridge Road. Police had shut down the three southbound right lanes for a multiple car accident requiring the extrication of a victim.  At least one person was transported to the hospital.

Traffic had been backed up to the Pentagon, but delays are starting to dissipate.

 

 

Police Investigate Incident at Capital One Bank in Ballston

By ARLnow.com

Update at 5:00 p.m. — “This occurred outside the bank near the ATM in the mall,” Arlington Police spokeswoman Det. Crystal Nosal tells ARLnow.com. “It does not appear to be hazardous at this time and was not a robbery or attempted bank robbery.”

Update at 4:20 p.m. — We’re told that tests have revealed the substance to be “non-hazardous.” At least one patient was transported to the hospital, however.

Police are investigating an incident at the Capital One bank on the ground floor of the Ballston Common Mall (4100 Wilson Blvd).

According to initial reports, an unknown man entered the bank and splashed a “caustic liquid” in the face of two female bank employees. The employees reportedly suffered a burning sensation and the inability to open their eyes. Police are looking for the man, who fled the scene.

Paramedics treated the employees and a hazmat team responded to try to identify the substance. At this time the injuries are not reported to be serious.

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UPDATED: Firefighters Battle Blaze in Ft. Myer Heights

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 2:40 p.m.) Firefighters battled an apartment fire on the 1600 block of N. Queen Street in Ft. Myer Heights this afternoon.

A resident reported fire on the second floor of a garden-style apartment building just after 1:15 p.m. Firefighters arrived and found flames and smoke. A second alarm was called as a precaution, due to the hot weather. Firefighters on the scene were given plenty water; some had their blood pressure checked.

Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze, according to ACFD spokesman Lt. Gregg Karl. No injuries were reported. The Red Cross has arrived on scene to assist displaced residents.

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Porsche Carjacked from Arlington Used in D.C. Armored Car Robbery

By ARLnow.com

A Porsche Cayenne carjacked from the Aurora Highlands neighborhood last night was used in a brazen armored car robbery in D.C. this afternoon.

According to Arlington Police, the luxury SUV was stolen around 10:30 last night. Two men wearing masks and pointing guns approached the car after it pulled out of a driveway on the 1100 block of S. 18th Street. The men, described as in their late teens or early 20s, forced two women out of the car, stole their purses and drove off.

Just after noon today, the Porsche and two men — presumed to be the same suspects from last night — were involved in an armored car robbery at 16th and M Streets NW, just south of Scott Circle in the District. The men — one with a machine gun and the other with a 9 millimeter pistol — attempted to hold up a Brinks truck, according to initial reports. It’s unclear if they made off with any money.

Arlington Police were told to be on the lookout for the vehicle this afternoon, shortly after the robbery. Officers were told that the Porsche was last seen speeding north, away from the scene of today’s crime.

File photo

Strong Storms Sweep Through Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Update at 4:10 p.m. — That’s all folks. The storms have moved southeast, out of Arlington.

Update at 4:10 p.m. — N. Vance Street is reported to be blocked at Lee Highway due to a large branch in the roadway. Police are on scene.

Update at 3:55 p.m. — Several manhole covers have been dislodged by the flooding. Dislodged manhole covers have been reported on the 1200 block of S. Scott Street (since taken care of by the fire department) and at 5th Street and and N. Montague Street. There has also been a report of a car that was damaged after driving into an open sewer portal along Columbia Pike.

Update at 3:35 p.m. — A second severe thunderstorm is approaching Arlington. From the county’s Office of Emergency Management:

The National Weather Service has issued a second SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for Arlington County until 4:15 PM. Doppler radar indicated a thunderstorm approaching the County which has intensified past severe limits. This storm will effect the entire county with heavy rain, large hail, and damaging winds of 60 MPH possible.

Significant cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. All outdoor activities should be postponed until this storm passes. Severe Thunderstorms can produce tornadoes with little or no advanced warning. Residents are urged to seek safe shelter indoors until the storm passes and remain alert for any additional warnings.

Update at 3:35 p.m. — Flashing traffic lights have been reported at Old Dominion Drive and N. Glebe Road, 15th Street and N. Courthouse Road, Columbia Pike and S. Joyce Street, and Lee Highway and N. Harrison Street.

Update at 3:30 p.m. — A transformer fire has been reported on the the 2700 block of N. Wakefield Street. The fire department is investigating.

Update at 3:30 p.m. — Possible traffic issues due to standing water have been reported on Route 50 between Rosslyn and Courthouse, on Route 50 near Washington Boulevard and on Route 50 under the Glebe Road bridge.

Update at 3:10 p.m. — A flash flood warning has been issued for Arlington.

Storms are sweeping through Arlington this afternoon, bringing high winds, torrential rains and frequent lightning.

Numerous activated alarms and flashing traffic signals have been reported as a result of the storm. Some flooding of roadways has also been reported.

Hazmat Situation Near Roosevelt Island

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 4:30 p.m.) The Arlington County Fire Department is on the scene of a hazardous materials situation near Roosevelt Island.

U.S. Park Police, Arlington County Fire Department, and Alexandria Fire Department all responded when someone called in concerns about an odd smell.  Crews found the small spill in a creek near the entrance to the island and put booms in the water to contain it. Arrangements are being made to reinforce the boom when the tide changes so no containment is lost.

U.S. Park Police spokesman Sgt. David Schlosser says tests are being done on the substance to determine exactly what it is.  Based on the odor, coloration and gelling it is believed to be a petroleum product, possibly a type of diesel fuel.

Nobody was injured from inhaling fumes. Schlosser says it would be very unlikely that this type of product would cause respiratory harm, but workers stationed at the spill are being monitored for any signs of illness.

The National Park Service has arranged for a hazmat mitigation company to clean up the product, but is not sure yet when that team will arrive. Emergency crews will remain at the scene until the clean up is complete.

It’s possible that the bridge connecting Roosevelt Island to the parking lot may have to be shut down temporarily, but for now, pedestrians are being allowed to pass. Investigators are now working to find 0ut who or what spilled the substance.

Fire at Delhi Club, Hard Times Cafe

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 3:10 p.m.) A fire broke out this morning in the Clarendon building that houses Hard Times Cafe and Delhi Club.

Smoke could be seen rising from the roof and billowing out of the entrance to Hard Times as firefighters attacked the blaze. Workers on their lunch break gathered to watch as fire trucks surrounded the building.

The fire broke out in the kitchen of Delhli Club and spread into the duct work, according to fire department spokesperson Lt. Ed Hughes. Only smoke — not fire — spread to Hard Times, he said. No injuries were reported.

The original report of fire was called in by an assistant fire marshal who happened to be driving in the area, Hughes noted.

Roads were closed in the area of Clarendon Metro as emergency responders and county health department inspectors remained on the scene. Dehli Club manager Mir Hussain said the damage is “not too bad.” He hopes to clean up the mess and get health department approval to reopen in a week or so.

Hard Times Cafe owner Doug Welsh said there was some smoke damage inside the restaurant, but no structural damage. He expects the restaurant to reopen at 5:00 tonight.

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BREAKING NEWS — Firefighters Battle Ballston Garage Blaze

By ARLnow.com

(Update at 2:35 p.m.) An elderly woman is dead following a car fire in the parking garage below the Ballston Hilton (950 N. Stafford Street).

Homicide detectives were called to investigate the woman’s death, but according to police spokeswoman Det. Crystal Nosal the death is now being investigated as a probable accident.

Police believe the woman, 74-year-old Adele Lapinell of Annandale, suffered some sort of medical emergency that caused her to crash her vehicle on the G-1 level of the garage. The crash caused the fire, Nosal said — likely the result of a gas line that was damaged by the collision. The first and second floors of the hotel were evacuated during the fire as a precaution.

Lapinell’s body was found as firefighters extinguished the blaze. Nosal said she was identified as a “registered parker” in the garage. She was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the collision.

Police shut down Stafford Street between Fairfax Drive and 9th Street N. while emergency responders were on the scene. The road has since reopened. Washington Gas crews are on the scene to help repair the gas line.

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