carjacking

Suspect Flees from Police After Another Carjacking in Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com

A carjacking suspect made a successful getaway in Pentagon City Friday night, even as Arlington County Police have stepped up patrols in the area after a series of carjackings and robberies.

Police say they were patrolling parking garages in the area of the Pentagon City mall when they were flagged down by a victim who was assaulted by a man with a gun. Shortly thereafter, just before 11 p.m., police received a report of an armed carjacking nearby.

The victim’s vehicle was located on Army Navy Drive and police attempted to pursue it, but the suspect fled at a high rate of speed across the 14th Street Bridge into D.C. and officers were not able to catch up, according to ACPD.

More from a police press release:

The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is investigating two armed robberies that occurred in Pentagon City Garages on the evening of February 21, 2020.

At approximately 10:25 p.m., an officer conducting proactive patrol inside a parking garage in the 1100 block of S. Hayes Street was flagged down for assistance by the victim. The victim stated he had been sitting inside his parked vehicle looking at his cell phone when he heard a knock at the window and observed an unknown male suspect brandishing a firearm. The victim exited the vehicle and was assaulted by the suspect. The victim screamed and the suspect fled the scene on foot. The victim was treated on scene by medics for minor injuries. A lookout was broadcast, and officers canvased the area for the suspect.

At approximately 10:50 p.m., while investigating the above-mentioned incident, police were dispatched to the report of a carjacking inside the garage in the 900 block of Army Navy Drive. Upon arrival, it was determined that at approximately 10:34 p.m., the victim entered the garage, parked his vehicle and observed the suspect acting suspiciously. The victim left the area but immediately returned to check on his vehicle. Upon returning, the suspect confronted the victim, brandished a firearm and demanded the victim’s keys. The suspect fled the scene in a black Honda Civic with Virginia license plate UND4813.

Responding officers observed the suspect driving eastbound on Army Navy Drive. At the intersection of Army Navy Drive and Fern Street, the suspect ran a red light and fled the scene at a high rate of speed into the northbound lanes of I-395 HOV. The officers activated their emergency equipment and pursued the vehicle but were unable to maintain contact due to the extreme speed of the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle was last seen entering Washington D.C.

The suspect is described as a black male in his mid 20’s, approximately 6 feet tall, 165 – 175 pounds with short black hair and a light amount of facial hair. He was wearing a black jacket, dark jeans and dark sneakers at the time of the incident.

Police are investigating these incidents as a series with the earlier reported carjackings in the area. The series remains an active and ongoing criminal investigation with detectives continuing to follow-up on investigative leads. Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective S. King of the Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4243 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 department continues to deploy increased police resources, to include both visible and non-visible assets, in the Pentagon City area. As part of our investigative efforts into these incidents, detectives are working collaboratively with regional law enforcement partners to identify crime trends and apprehend suspect(s).

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.

Police are reminding the public to follow these safety tips:

  • Exit your vehicle and continue to your destination promptly after parking
  • Park in well-lit, high traffic areas.
  • Be aware of your surroundings when entering and exiting your vehicle
  • 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

Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

EFC Metro Closing This Weekend — The Vienna, Dunn Loring and East Falls Church Metro stations will be closed this weekend, “due to preparation for the Summer Platform Improvement Project.” Per Metro: “Customers on Ballston-bound Orange Line trains who are continuing on to West Falls Church should exit the train at Virginia Square for a same platform transfer.” [WMATA]

Pentagon City Armed Robbery Spike — “So far in 2020, there have been five total armed robberies in Pentagon City. Last year, there were seven for the entire year.” In response to the recent string of parking garage carjackings, Pentagon City mall says “we have increased our security presence to ensure a safe and secure environment.” [WJLA]

Arlington’s Ultra-Low Unemployment Rate — “How low can it go? That may be the question for Arlington’s unemployment rate. The jobless figure squeezed down to 1.6 percent in December, ending the year at its lowest rate of 2019 and – for the umpteenth month and year in a row – lowest in the commonwealth.” [InsideNova]

NFL Star Returns to Arlington — “M. J. Stewart, @Buccaneers Cornerback and Arlington native stopped by his alma mater @APSVirginia!” [Twitter]

Arlington Dems Want Record Turnout — “The Arlington County Democratic Committee is aiming to increase the community’s  2020 voter-participation rate nearly 10 percent from 2016’s presidential race, building on past efforts and launching new initiatives to get there. ‘We’re pulling out all the stops,’ party chair Jill Caiazzo said on Feb. 5.” [InsideNova]

Arlington’s Pupatella Coming to D.C. — “The rumors are true: Pupatella will bring its wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas to Dupont Circle, occupying the prime indoor/outdoor space that housed Rosemary’s Thyme for nearly 18 years. Owner and Naples native Enzo Algarme says his team is angling for a spring opening.” [Washingtonian, PoPville]

UPDATED: Yet Another Carjacking at a Pentagon City Garage

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 5 p.m.) Arlington County Police are investigating the third reported carjacking at a Pentagon City parking garage in the past two weeks.

Around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday, according to police, a male suspect pulled a gun on a man as he was getting out of his car. The suspect drove off with the car and some of the man’s personal belongings.

“The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6’0″, 20-30 years old, with a thin build, dark complexion, low voice and wearing a black coat,” ACPD said in a crime report. “The victim’s vehicle is described as a Blue Honda Accord with Virginia license plate UYN7195. The investigation is ongoing.”

The suspect description is similar to that of the man suspected of a carjacking in a nearby parking garage last Thursday night. Police say they’re stepping up patrols in the area.

“The Department is conducting extra patrols in the garages and the public can expect to see an increased visible law enforcement presence throughout the Pentagon City area,” ACPD said.

ACPD released a statement about the series of carjackings — and a separate armed robbery of a cell phone — late Wednesday afternoon.

The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is investigating four recent armed robbery incidents, which occurred in garages in the Pentagon City neighborhood. During three of the incidents, the victims’ vehicle was stolen and two of the vehicles have subsequently been recovered in Washington D.C. All four cases remain ongoing investigations and detectives are actively working to determine if the cases are related and if there are any links to cases reported in the region.

Three of the four incidents appear to have happened at the Pentagon City mall parking garage. The latest carjacking happened on the 1100 block of S. Joyce Street, according to police, but it’s not clear which garage was involved.

ACPD offered some safety tips in the wake of the carjackings:

Police are reminding the public to follow these safety tips:

  • Exit your vehicle and continue to your destination promptly after parking
  • Park in well-lit, high traffic areas.
  • Be aware of your surroundings when entering and exiting your vehicle
  • 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

Separately, in today’s crime report, police say seven rental cars were stolen from a parking garage. Several rental car companies operate out of the mall.

More from ACPD:

GRAND LARCENY AUTO (Significant), 2020-02040149, 800 block of Army Navy Drive. At approximately 2:15 p.m. on February 4, police were dispatched to the report of several stolen vehicles. Upon arrival, it was determined that a car rental company was conducting an inventory when they discovered seven vehicles missing, with keys left inside. The theft of the vehicles are estimated between September 2019 and February 4, 2020. All stolen vehicles are described as white or gray 2020 Toyota four door sedans. The investigation is ongoing.

In July, a would-be armed robber in the Pentagon City mall garage was shot and killed with his own gun.

JUST IN: Police Investigating Another Carjacking at Pentagon City Mall

By ARLnow.com

A spate of armed robberies at the Pentagon City mall parking garage is continuing.

Arlington County Police say a woman was carjacked by a man with a gun last night around 10:15 p.m. The approximate address given was that of the mall’s parking garage on Army Navy Drive.

More from an ACPD crime report:

CARJACKING, 2020-01300253, 800 block of Army Navy Drive. At approximately 10:15 p.m. on January 30, police were dispatched to the report of an armed carjacking. Upon arrival, it was determined that as the victim arrived at her vehicle, the suspect approached her from behind and demanded her keys. The suspect brandished a firearm, stole the keys and fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle prior to police arrival. The suspect is described as a black male, skinny build, approximately 5’10”-6’0″, wearing a black sweatshirt. The victim’s vehicle is described as a gray Toyota Corolla with Virginia license plate VWG1216. The investigation is ongoing.

The parking garage has been the scene of a string of robberies since last summer.

Most recently, on Jan. 23, a male victim in a Mercedes was carjacked by a gun-toting man around 2 p.m. In July, a would-be armed robber was shot and killed with his own gun.

NBC 4 reported last Friday that the crimes have left shoppers “on edge.” Mall management did not respond to the station’s request for comment.

ACPD Investigating Carjacking at Mall Parking Lot

By ARLnow.com

A man was carjacked in the Pentagon City mall parking garage last week, the latest in a spate of such incidents over the past few months.

The crime happened just before 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23.

“The male victim parked and exited his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown suspect,” Arlington County Police said in a crime report. “The suspect brandished a firearm, demanded the victim’s keys and fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle.”

“The suspect is described as a black male, skinny build, approximately 6’06” tall wearing a dark jacket and dark pants,” the crime report continues. “The victim’s vehicle is described as a black Mercedes C300 with Maryland license plate 4DF8053.”

There have been a number of robberies and attempted robberies in the garage since last summer.

In July, a would-be armed robber was shot and killed with his own gun in the mall parking garage, at 1100 S. Hayes Street. Most recently, on Sunday, Jan. 19, a woman was sitting in her car inside the garage when a man with a gun approached and stole her cell phone, according to a crime report.

ROBBERY, 2020-01190177, 800 block of Army Navy Drive. At approximately 5:25 p.m. on January 19 an officer on patrol was flagged down by a citizen requesting assistance. The investigation determined that between 5:05 p.m. and 5:20 p.m., the female victim was sitting inside her parked vehicle when an unknown suspect approached her, brandished a firearm and demanded her cell phone. The suspect fled the scene on foot after stealing the cell phone. The suspect is described as a black male, late teens to early 20’s, wearing a dark colored sweater, a hoodie pulled over his head and dark pants. The investigation is ongoing.

NBC 4 reported on Friday that the crimes have left shoppers “on edge.” The mall did not respond to the station’s request for comment.

Two Arrested After Armed Carjacking on Columbia Pike

By ARLnow.com

(Updated on 8/31/19) Two men, one armed with a gun, carjacked a man in a parked car along Columbia Pike early Wednesday morning, according to Arlington County Police.

The alleged carjacking happened shortly after midnight on the Pike at S. Thomas Street.

The victim was forced into the backseat but was dropped off unharmed several blocks away, near the corner of the Pike and S. Four Mile Run Drive, as the suspects fled, police said. The suspects were later arrested in Fairfax County, according to an ACPD crime report, below.

CARJACKING (late), 2019-08280013, Columbia Pike at S. Thomas Street. At approximately 1:10 a.m. on August 28, officers were dispatched to the police station for the late report of an armed carjacking. Upon arrival, it was determined that at approximately 12:20 a.m., the victim was inside his parked vehicle when he was approached by two unknown male suspects, one of which brandished a firearm. The suspects stole the victim’s personal property before forcing him into the backseat. The suspects fled the scene in the vehicle and dropped the unharmed victim off at the corner of Columbia Pike and S. Four Mile Run Access Road. A lookout was broadcast and the suspects were later apprehended in Fairfax County. Charges are pending.

Map via Google Maps

Crime Report: Attempted Carjacking in Courthouse Area

By ARLnow.com

A Maryland man armed with a “piece of metal” allegedly threatened to steal a woman’s car in the Courthouse area last week.

The crime, described as an attempted carjacking, happened just after 4:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, according to police.

More from this week’s Arlington County Police Department crime report:

ATTEMPTED CARJACKING, 2018-01040128, 1400 block of N. Scott Street. At approximately 4:37 p.m. on January 4, police were dispatched to the report of a suspicious person. Upon arrival, it was determined that the male suspect, holding a piece of metal, approached the female victim and allegedly told her he was going to take her vehicle. The victim was able to safely leave the location and contact police. Responding officers canvased the area and located a suspect matching the description provided by the victim. Jeffrey Johnson, 40, of Waldorf, MD was arrested and charged with attempted carjacking. He was held on no bond.

The rest of this past week’s crime report highlights, including some that we’ve already reported, after the jump.

Map via Google Maps

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Carjacking Reported Near Shirlington

By ARLnow.com

Police car lightsA man was carjacked, Grand Theft Auto-style, near Shirlington Monday morning.

The incident happened on the 4100 block of S. Four Mile Run Drive around 8:30 a.m. Police say a man opened the driver’s side door of a car, pulled the driver out of the car and drove off.

“The suspect is described as a black male with a dark complexion, approximately 35 – 40 years old, approximately 5’8″ to 5’10”, wearing a black baseball cap, blue jeans, gray hoodie, black jacket and tan Timberland boots,” Arlington County police said in the department’s daily crime report. “The investigation is ongoing.”

Crime Report: Carjacking Near Arlington Ridge

By ARLnow.com
File photo

A woman was reported carjacked Saturday afternoon near the Arlington Ridge and Arna Valley View neighborhoods.

Police say the woman was sitting in her car, talking on the phone, when two men approached. They implied a gun, ordered the woman out of her car and drove off. The victim was shaken but uninjured, police say.

From this week’s Arlington County crime report:

CARJACKING, 140510055, 2400 block of Army Navy Drive. On May 10 at approximately 4 pm, a 27 year-old female victim was carjacked by two subjects that implied they had a firearm. Suspect one is described as a black male in his early twenties, approximately 5’7″ tall with a skinny build. He was wearing a black t-shirt with blue jeans and a skull belt buckle. Suspect two is described as a black male in his early twenties with a heavy build. He was wearing a yellow and maroon t-shirt at the time of the incident.

The last carjacking to be listed in an Arlington crime report was in July 2012.

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

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Police: Newspaper Carrier Carjacked at Gunpoint

By Katie Pyzyk

(Updated at 7:15 p.m.) Police say a newspaper carrier was carjacked early this morning (Wednesday) in the 2300 block of S. Joyce Street, between the Aurora Highlands and Arlington Ridge neighborhoods.

Around 4:30 a.m., the 73-year-old woman was doing her rounds of paper delivery and had just exited the car to place a paper on a customer’s doorstep. According to police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck, two men then drove up in a van next to her, and one said “give me the car.”

Police say both of the subjects, one of whom had a gun, pushed the woman to the ground. At that point, one of the men reportedly jumped into the woman’s car and threw her dog out of the vehicle, before driving off. The other suspect got back into the van and drove off.

Sternbeck said the woman yelled “fire” hoping someone would hear and help her. The resident at the house she was in front of came outside to assist, and they called police together.

According to police, the victim said she never leaves her car except at this one residence.

A tipster tells us the woman is a carrier for The Washington Post. The carrier and her dog, named Sparkle, were both shaken up but are otherwise fine, the tipster said. She didn’t report any injuries and denied medical attention.

Sternbeck said the woman describes both suspects as black men, about 5’9″, medium build, wearing dark sweaters and ski masks. The victim’s car was a beige Toyota Corolla, but there was no additional information provided regarding the suspects’ van. Anyone with information about the crime or the suspects is urged to call the police non-emergency number at 703-558-2222.

A Washington Post spokeswoman declined to comment about the incident.

Crime Report: Crimes Against Women

By ARLnow.com

This week’s Arlington County crime report contained several incidents of frightening crimes against women. Among them:

RAPE, 01/25/12, 3000 block of Columbia Pike. Between 2 and 3 pm on January 25, a female victim was raped by a known suspect in a hotel room. The suspect is in custody.

ROBBERY, 01/27/12, 4100 block of N. Henderson Road. At 1:30 am on January 27, an intoxicated female walking alone was punched in the face by an unknown male suspect and her wallet was stolen. Only when the female victim screamed for help did the suspect flee the scene on foot. There is no suspect description.

SEXUAL BATTERY, 01/31/12, 1600 block of N. Arlington Boulevard. On January 31 at 8:30 pm, a female returning to her hotel room was confronted by a subject just outside her door in the hallway and was sexually assaulted. When the victim went to the front desk to report the incident, the suspect fled on foot. The suspect is described as a black male, late 20’s, approximately 160 lbs with a slender build. At the time he was wearing a navy blue knit cap and a one-piece navy blue jumpsuit.

ARMED CARJACKING, 01/31/12, 3400 block of S. 25th Court. Just after 7pm on January 31, two unknown suspects approached the female victim as she was exiting her vehicle, brandished a handgun and demanded her car keys. The victim’s purse was also taken and her credit cards were reportedly used in Prince George’s County shortly after the carjacking. The suspects are described as black males, 18-27 years old, approximately 6′ tall and 170-200 lbs.

The rest of this week’s crime report, after the jump.

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