crime

Police: Man Flees I-66 Traffic Stop, Crashes into Car in Williamsburg

By Alex Koma

A Maryland man is now facing a slew of charges after he allegedly fled a traffic stop along I-66, then crashed into a car carrying three people in Williamsburg on Tuesday (Aug. 21).

Virginia State Police and county police tried to pull over a 2017 Honda Civic taking the exit ramp from westbound I-66 toward N. Sycamore Street when the driver refused to stop, according to state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller.

The car “sped away at a high rate of speed,” Geller said, and then struck another car near the intersection of N. Sycamore Street and Williamsburg Blvd. The driver of the Honda, subsequently identified as 21-year-old Brandon Andrew Lee of Ft. Washington, Maryland, fled the scene of the crash on foot.

A state trooper arrested Lee soon afterward “without further incident,” Geller said.

Lee is now charged with possession of stolen property with intent to sell, one felony count of eluding police, driving on a revoked license and two drug charges. He’s set for a hearing in Arlington General District Court on Sept. 20, and is currently being held in the county jail.

The adult and two children inside the other car involved in the crash were not injured, Geller said.

Photo courtesy of the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office

Morning Notes

By Alex Koma

Full Arlington Memorial Bridge Shutdown Planned — One of the main links from the county into D.C. will close entirely for the weekend of Sept. 15-17, as workers get ready to start major repair efforts. Officials are warning of rolling lane closures after that, with another full shutdown sometime this fall. [Washington Post]

County Police See a String of Wheel Thefts — Since June 1, Arlington police say they’ve seen thieves make off with the tires and rims of five different cars. Many of the thefts have been concentrated in the Pentagon City and Crystal City area, where airbags have also started vanishing. [WTOP]

Arlington GOP Mulls Position on Bond Referenda — County Republicans will decide next month on whether to take a position on the more than $230 million in bonds that will go before voters this fall. Arlingtonians haven’t rejected a local bond on the ballot since 1979. [InsideNova]

Nearby: Parking Pains Plague New Northside Social Location — The second location of the Clarendon cafe that opened in Falls Church earlier this summer has created some huge parking headaches, including a 13,000 percent increase in cars towed from nearby lots. [Falls Church News-Press]

Crime Report: South Arlington Residents Chase Off Burglar

By Alex Koma

Some South Arlington residents awoke to a man attempting to steal from their home early Monday morning (Aug. 20) before chasing him off, according to a county crime report.

Arlington police say the incident happened just before 4 a.m. Monday in a home on the 2700 block of S. Adams Street, in the Long Branch Creek neighborhood.

Investigators believe people living in the home “encountered an unknown suspect attempting to steal items of value” and then “yelled at the suspect, who then fled the scene in possession of the victims’ property prior to police arrival.”

Police say the investigation is still ongoing.

Full details from a crime report:

BURGLARY, 2018-08200029, 2700 block of S. Adams Street. At approximately 3:57 a.m. on August 20, police responded to the report of a burglary just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victims were awoken to noise inside their residence. When the victims went to investigate, they encountered an unknown suspect attempting to steal items of value. The victims yelled at the suspect who then fled the scene in possession of the victims’ property prior to police arrival. The suspect is described as a heavy set male, with dark skin, chin-length dark hair, wearing a grey baseball hat and a dark colored short sleeve t-shirt. The investigation is ongoing.

And here are more highlights from the past week’s crime reports, including some we’ve already reported.

BURGLARY, 2018-08200212, 2100 block of N. Thomas Street. At approximately 4:21 p.m. on August 20, police were dispatched to the report of a burglary just discovered. Upon arrival, it was determined that between 8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., an unknown suspect(s) forced entry to a residence and stole items of value. There is no suspect(s) description. The investigation is ongoing.

ROBBERY, 2018-08190195, 1800 block of Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 6:00 p.m. on August 19, police were dispatched to the report that a large number of ATVs and dirt bikes had entered Arlington County. The riders arrived at a gas station in the 1800 block of Wilson Boulevard and allegedly began stealing merchandise. An employee was shoved by one of the suspects when he attempted to confront the group. In an attempt to prevent future thefts, the employee locked the doors of the business. Several suspects kicked the door, causing the glass to shatter. The suspects fled the area prior to police arrival with witnesses reporting observing ATV and dirt bike riders cross the Key Bridge into Washington, D.C. The investigation is ongoing.

WEAPONS VIOLATION, 2018-08150047, 1900 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 3:26 a.m. on August 15, police were dispatched to the report of a brandishing just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined that following a verbal dispute with a food delivery driver, the suspect became irate and brandished a firearm. Warrants for Assault and Battery and Brandishing a Firearm were obtained for the suspect. The investigation is ongoing.

LARCENY FROM AUTO (APPREHENSION), 2018-08140005, 200 block of S. Adams Street. At approximately 12:30 a.m. on August 14, police responded to the report of vehicle tampering in progress. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim was inside his residence when he observed two suspects inside his vehicle. When the victim exited his residence and approached the vehicle, he observed three suspects flee on foot. A lookout was broadcast based upon the description provided by the victim and responding officers located the three individuals in the area matching the suspect descriptions. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the suspects entered approximately three additional vehicles in the area and stole items of value. Malique Harden, 18, of Suitland, Md.,  was arrested and charged with Grand Larceny, Tampering with a Vehicle (x2), Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (x2) and Possession of Marijuana. Petitions were sought for Tampering with a Vehicle, Possession of Marijuana and Grand Larceny for the two juvenile suspects.

BURGLARY (late), 2018-08140252, 1200 block of N. Rolfe Street. At approximately 9:41 p.m. on August 14, police were dispatched to the late report of breaking and entering. Upon arrival, it was determined that between 3:40 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., an unknown suspect(s) forced entry to a residence, causing damage. Nothing was reported stolen from the residence. There is no suspect description. The investigation is ongoing.

Police: Bikers Steal from Rosslyn Gas Station, Assault Employee

By Alex Koma
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Arlington police say the large group of ATV and dirt bike riders that rolled through D.C. last night (Sunday) stole merchandise from a gas station near Rosslyn before assaulting an employee and smashing the station’s door.

Police believe dozens of bikers stopped at the Exxon station at 1824 Wilson Blvd around 6 p.m. Sunday, and began stealing from the station’s convenience store soon afterward. An employee tried to confront the group, and they promptly shoved him aside.

Police say the employee then locked the store’s doors to keep more bikers out, and “several suspects kicked the door, causing the glass to shatter.”

The bikers left the station before police arrived, and witnesses reported seeing them cross the Key Bridge into D.C. Police there impounded one bike after a rider ran into a light pole.

Full details from a county crime report:

ROBBERY, 2018-08190195, 1800 block of Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 6:00 p.m. on August 19, police were dispatched to the report that a large number of ATVs and dirt bikes had entered Arlington County. The riders arrived at a gas station in the 1800 block of Wilson Boulevard and allegedly began stealing merchandise. An employee was shoved by one of the suspects when he attempted to confront the group. In an attempt to prevent future thefts, the employee locked the doors of the business. Several suspects kicked the door, causing the glass to shatter. The suspects fled the area prior to police arrival with witnesses reporting observing ATV and dirt bike riders cross the Key Bridge into Washington, D.C. The investigation is ongoing.

Police Arrest Three in Connection with Penrose Car Thefts

By Alex Koma

Arlington police have arrested a Maryland man and two teens in connection with a series of car thefts in Penrose.

Police say they apprehended Malique Harden, 18, and two other juveniles early Tuesday morning (Aug. 14) after they broke into at least four vehicles in the vicinity of the 200 block of S. Adams Street.

Harden is now charged with grand larceny, tampering with a vehicle, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and marijuana possession. The two teens are also facing similar charges, though the department did not release their names.

Police add that they managed to arrest the three suspects after a man saw them rummaging through his vehicle. When the man approached them, they fled, but police managed to arrest them nearby shortly afterward.

Harden is now set for an Oct. 3 hearing in Arlington General District Court on his charges.

Full details from a county crime report:

LARCENY FROM AUTO (APPREHENSION), 2018-08140005, 200 block of S. Adams Street. At approximately 12:30 a.m. on August 14, police responded to the report of vehicle tampering in progress. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim was inside his residence when he observed two suspects inside his vehicle. When the victim exited his residence and approached the vehicle, he observed three suspects flee on foot. A lookout was broadcast based upon the description provided by the victim and responding officers located the three individuals in the area matching the suspect descriptions. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the suspects entered approximately three additional vehicles in the area and stole items of value. Malique Harden, 18, of Suitland, Md.,  was arrested and charged with Grand Larceny, Tampering with a Vehicle (x2), Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (x2) and Possession of Marijuana. Petitions were sought for Tampering with a Vehicle, Possession of Marijuana and Grand Larceny for the two juvenile suspects.

Crime Report: Police Investigating Stabbing, Attempted Robbery in Lyon Park

By Alex Koma

Arlington police are searching for two men who allegedly attempted to rob a man and stabbed him in Lyon Park Monday night (Aug. 13).

County police say the man exited a car and was walking along the 2200 block of N. Pershing Drive, near the Shops at Pershing and the Sheffield Court Apartments, when two men grabbed him from behind “and attempted to steal his belongings.”

The man was able to wriggle free and run away, but suffered a “non-life threatening laceration” during the struggle. He was treated at Virginia Hospital Center, where he informed police about the incident several hours later.

Police don’t currently have more detailed descriptions of the suspects.

Full details from a county crime report:

MALICIOUS WOUNDING (late), 2018-08130027, 2200 block of N. Pershing Drive. At approximately 3:22 a.m., police responded to Virginia Hospital Center for the late report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, it was determined that at approximately 11:00 p.m., the victim exited a vehicle and was walking in the area when he was approached by two male suspects who grabbed him from behind and attempted to steal his belongings. The victim was able to free himself and run away, however he suffered a non-life threatening laceration during the incident. None of the victim’s belongings were stolen. There is no suspect(s) descriptions. The investigation is ongoing.

Here are the full highlights from the past week’s crime reports, including some we’ve already reported on:

BURGLARY (late), 2018-08140252, 1200 block of N. Rolfe Street. At approximately 9:41 p.m. on August 14, police were dispatched to the late report of breaking and entering. Upon arrival, it was determined that between 3:40 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., an unknown suspect(s) forced entry to a residence, causing damage. Nothing was reported stolen from the residence. There is no suspect description. The investigation is ongoing.

INDECENT EXPOSURE, 2018-0811069, 2600 block of S. Walter Reed Drive. At approximately 8:05 a.m. on August 11, police were dispatched to the report of a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival, it was determined that the female victim was walking in the area when a vehicle pulled up next to her and the driver asked her for directions. The female victim was providing directions when she observed the suspect touching himself inappropriately and exposing his genitals. The victim yelled and the suspect drove away. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male with black hair. The investigation is ongoing.

ROBBERY (late), 2018-08100128, 3900 block of Fairfax Drive. At approximately 12:36  p.m. on August 10, police responded to the late report of a larceny. Upon arrival, it was determined that at approximately 9:00 p.m. on August 9, the victim was walking in the area when an unknown male suspect approached her from behind, shoved her against a wall and stole her personal property. The suspect then assaulted her, however, the victim resisted and a brief struggle ensued before the suspect fled on foot with her property. The victim suffered minor injuries. The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 40-45 years old, 5’8″-6’0″ tall, weighing 190-210 lbs., with brown hair. The investigation is ongoing.

BURGLARY, 2018-08090151, 6200 block of Lee Highway. At approximately 2:58 p.m. on August 9, police were dispatched to a burglary just discovered. Upon arrival, it was determined that an unknown suspect(s) entered a residence and stole numerous items of value. There is no suspect(s) description. The investigation is ongoing.

Police Investigating After Woman Assaulted, Robbed Near Ballston

By Alex Koma

Arlington police are investigating after a woman says she was assaulted and robbed near Ballston Thursday night (Aug. 9).

Police say the woman was walking near the 3900 block of Fairfax Drive around 9 p.m. Thursday when a man came up behind her and shoved her into a wall.

The man then proceeded to rob the woman and assaulted her, though he ran off after a brief struggle. Police say the woman suffered “minor injuries” as a result of the scuffle.

Police describe the suspect as a “white male, approximately 40-45 years old, 5’8″-6’0″ tall, weighing 190-210 lbs., with brown hair.”

Full details from a county crime report:

ROBBERY (late), 2018-08100128, 3900 block of Fairfax Drive. At approximately 12:36  p.m. on August 10, police responded to the late report of a larceny. Upon arrival, it was determined that at approximately 9:00 p.m. on August 9, the victim was walking in the area when an unknown male suspect approached her from behind, shoved her against a wall and stole her personal property. The suspect then assaulted her, however, the victim resisted and a brief struggle ensued before the suspect fled on foot with her property. The victim suffered minor injuries. The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 40-45 years old, 5’8″-6’0″ tall, weighing 190-210 lbs., with brown hair. The investigation is ongoing.

Police Investigating More Airbag Thefts in Crystal City, Pentagon City

By Alex Koma

Roughly 20 vehicles were damaged across a series of Pentagon City and Crystal City neighborhoods on Friday (Aug. 3), marking the second time in the last month thieves have struck the area.

Arlington County police believe “the windows of approximately 20 vehicles were smashed and airbags stolen” across the area sometime on Friday night, according to a crime report.

They add that the thieves stole the tires and rims off two of those vehicles. In all, police believe the incidents occurred on the following streets:

  • 500 block of 15th Street S.
  • 1500 block of S. Arlington Ridge Road
  • 1100 block of Army Navy Drive
  • 1200 block of S. Eads Street
  • 1600 block of S. Eads Street
  • 1900 block of S. Eads Street
  • 1100 block of S. Joyce Street
  • 1600 block of S. Joyce Street

Thieves damaged approximately 35 vehicles on some of the same sections of S. Joyce Street and S. Eads Street in early July. Many residents of the RiverHouse Apartments reported having their cars damaged at the time.

More details from an Arlington County crime report:

LARCENY FROM AUTO (Series), 2018-08030320/08030326/08040004/08040022/08040012/08040076/08040098/08040110/08040191, 1200 block of S. Eads Street/1100 block of S. Joyce Street/1600 block of S. Joyce Street/1900 block of S. Eads Street/1500 block of S. Arlington Ridge Road/500 block of 15th Street S./1600 block of S. Eads Street/1100 block of Army Navy Drive. At approximately 11:00 p.m. on August 3, police began responding to the above locations for multiple reports of larcenies from auto. Upon arrival, it was determined that the windows of approximately 20 vehicles were smashed and airbags stolen. During the course of the investigation, it was also determined that two vehicles each had a set of four tires and rims stolen. The investigation is ongoing.

Crime Report: Peeper Peeps Through Cracked Door

By ARLnow.com

Police were called to a residence near the Walter Reed Community Center last week for a report of a man peeping through an slightly ajar door.

Officers were dispatched shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Friday, July 25 for a report of a hoodie-wearing man staring in at the female resident. When she closed the door, he fled.

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

PEEPING, 2018-07250019, 2900 block of 16th Road S. At approximately 1:23 a.m. on July 25, police were dispatched to the report of a peeping just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim awoke to an unknown male suspect looking into her residence through a slightly ajar door. When the victim noticed the suspect and shut the door fully, the suspect fled.  The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 6’3″, with a slim build, with brown eyebrows, wearing dark framed glasses and a dark gray hoodie with the hood up. The investigation is ongoing.

More highlights from this week’s crime report, including some that we’ve already reported, are below.

(more…)

Police Investigating String of Car Thefts Around Arlington Ridge

By Alex Koma

(Updated at 4:30 pm.) Arlington police have arrested one man in connection with a string of overnight car thefts in Arlington Ridge, and another perpetrator may still be at large.

County police charged 18-year-old Sean Palmer of Washington D.C. with two counts of petit larceny involving a theft from a motor vehicle and two counts of entering or setting in motion a vehicle. He’s set for a Monday (July 30) hearing in Arlington County General District Court on the misdemeanor charges.

Spokeswoman Kirby Clark says officers arrested Palmer after receiving reports about two suspicious men in the area of S. Arlington Ridge Road and 20th Street S. late last night (Thursday). They eventually managed to locate two men matching a witness’s description, including Palmer, though one was able to flee the scene on foot.

Clark says officers determined “multiple vehicles in the area were entered and items of value stolen,” and it’s possible that other vehicles beyond the ones police found were broken into at some point.

An anonymous tipster told ARLnow that police left a variety of notes on car windshields around the 1000 block of 18th Street S. warning owners to check the vehicles to see if anything was amiss.

Police are asking anyone whose vehicle might’ve been broken into to call the department at 703-558-2222.

Police Arrest Man for Peeping Near Lyon Park Apartment Complex

By Alex Koma

Arlington police arrested a man for peering into a window and trying to force it open near a Lyon Park apartment complex Tuesday night (July 24).

County police say they received a call about a man looking into the window of a home along the 100 block of N. Wayne Street just after midnight Tuesday. The block is home to the Washington and Lee Apartments, just off Washington Blvd.

Two people tried to confront the man, but he fled the scene on foot. Officers subsequently apprehended 33-year-old Andelino Carrillo Najarro, and charged him with peeping into a dwelling and drunk in public.

He’s now being held without bond, awaiting an Aug. 22 hearing in Arlington County General District Court.

Full details on the incident from a county crime report:

PEEPING, 2018-07240004, 100 block of N. Wayne Street. At approximately 12:10 a.m. on July 24, police were dispatched to the report of peeping. Upon arrival, it was determined that a witness observed an unknown male suspect looking into the window of a residence and attempting to open the window. After being confronted by the witness and victim, the suspect attempted to flee the scene on foot prior to police arrival. Andelino Carrillo Najarro, 33, of Arlington, VA, was arrested and charged with Peeping and Drunk in Public. He was held on no bond.

Photo courtesy of Arlington Police

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