Police car (file photo)A delivery driver was arrested in the Ballston area Saturday morning and charged with assaulting police and a local residents.

The incident started around 6:45 a.m., when a resident on the 700 block of N. Tazewell Street started filming the driver and called police with a noise complaint, all as part of “an ongoing dispute [regarding] the time of deliveries.”

A verbal dispute between the resident and the driver ensued, leading the driver to punch the resident in the face, according to Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage.

When police arrived, the driver was confrontational and struck at least one officer, Savage said. From and ACPD crime report:

ASSAULT ON POLICE, 160423017, 700 block of N. Tazewell Street. At approximately 6:48 a.m. on April 23, officers were dispatched to a noise complaint regarding an ongoing dispute between the time of deliveries. The victim was recording the incident when they were struck in the face by the subject. The subject became combative when officers arrived on scene but subsequently was taken into custody. Roderick Watt, 41, of Wilkes Barre Pa, was charged with assault on police (2 counts), obstruction of justice, and assault and battery. He was held on a secured bond.

A second incident of an assault on police happened later that night, in the Nauck neighborhood, according to the crime report.

ASSAULT ON POLICE, 160423049, 2400 block of S. 24th Road. At approximately 10:42 p.m. on April 23, officers conducted a traffic stop in regards to a suspended license. During the stop, the passenger became combative, pushed an officer to the ground, and fled on foot. Officers were able to apprehend Justin Murray, 31, of Alexandria VA. He was charged with assault on police, obstruction of justice, possession of marijuana(second offense), and failure to identify to law enforcement. He is being held without bond.

Also Saturday night, according to police, two drunk men were arrested after they both grabbed the buttocks of a woman and then started fighting. The incident started as all three were leaving an establishment near the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Four Mile Run Drive.

The men were both charged with sexual battery and being drunk in public, according to the crime report.

SEXUAL BATTERY, 160423043, 4800 block of S. Columbia Pike. At approximately 9:40 p.m. on April 23, officers responded to the area for reports of two males fighting. When officers arrived on scene a female advised that her buttocks was grabbed by both suspects. . Carlos Rivas Martinez, 22, of Arlington VA, was charged with sexual battery and drunk in public. He was held on an unsecured bond. Lorenzo Rivas Martinez, 20, of Arlington VA, was charged with sexual battery and drunk in public. He was held on a secured bond.


Police car lightsOn Friday afternoon, a woman walking on the W&OD Trail was robbed at gunpoint by a pair of teens.

The robbery occurred near the East Falls Church Metro station.

From an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

ARMED ROBBERY, 160415027, 6600 block of N. 19th Road. At approximately 1:10 p.m. on April 15, a female was walking eastbound on the W&OD trail. She was approached from behind by two suspects who brandished a firearm and demanded her personal belongings. The suspects fled eastbound on W&OD trail with her cellphone and an undisclosed amount of cash. Suspects are described as a black male and female in their late teens, approximately 5’5″-5’8″ tall with a thin build. They were wearing dark clothing.

Also in the latest ACPD crime report: a pair of armed robberies, in the Pentagon City area and along Lee Highway. Both robberies were reported to police well after the fact.

LATE ROBBERY, 160416020, 600 block of S. 15th Street. At approximately 2:45 p.m. on April 12, as a male victim was walking down the street he was approached by a male suspect who requested to use his cellphone. The victim complied and the suspect began walking away from the victim with his cellphone. The victim followed the subject in an attempt to regain his cellphone at which point two additional male suspects approached the victim. Two of the suspects brandished handguns and robbed the victim of his personal belongings. The first suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5’8″ tall and weighed approximately 160 lbs. He was wearing a red shirt , gold chain, and black pants. The second suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5’10” tall and weighed 180 lbs. He was wearing a denim jacket, dark jeans, and a black skull cap.

LATE ROBBERY, 160416070, 5000 block of N. Lee Highway. At approximately 10:20 p.m. on April 16, a male suspect at the corner of N. Edison Street and Lee Highway was approached from behind by an unknown male subject. The male suspect allegedly pointed a gun to his back and demanded his personal belongings. The suspect fled the area on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash from the victim. The suspect was described as a black male wearing a dark colored winter hat, gray shirt, and gray pants.

Just after midnight this morning, ACPD officers were allegedly assaulted by a pair of drunk suspects outside the 7-Eleven store on Washington Blvd in Lyon Park.

Both suspects are from Woodbridge, as is a third suspect who was charged with drunk in public and obstruction of justice.

ASSAULT ON POLICE OFFICER, 160418001, 2700 block of N. Washington Boulevard. At approximately 12:02 a.m. on April 18, officers were dispatched to a 7/11 in reference to multiple disorderly subjects. The investigation revealed that a male suspect exited the store with alcohol that had not been properly paid for. During the course of the investigation the subject became combative towards the responding officers, striking them numerous times. Jonathan Lopez, 23, of Woodbridge VA, was charged with assault on police officer, felony petit larceny, disorderly conduct, and drunk in public. He is being held without bond. Angie Roque, 22, of Woodbridge VA, was charged with drunk in public and obstruction of justice. Warrants were obtained for Vianka Membreno, 23, of Woodbridge VA, for assault on police, disorderly conduct, and drunk in public.


(Updated at 4:10 p.m. on 12/23/21) A 35-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly exposing himself to a woman who was oblivious to the whole thing.

The incident happened just after noon on Tuesday, on the 3700 block of Wilson Blvd in Virginia Square.

Police say a man was following a woman down the street, exposing his genitals to her. The only problem: she didn’t notice. A man who did notice the indecent exposure came over and alerted the woman, who called police.

From an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

INDECENT EXPOSURE, 160412028, 3700 block of N. Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 12:03 p.m. on April 12, a male witnessed a male subject following a female victim and exposing his genitals to her. Yaser Mansour [Redacted], 35, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with indecent exposure. He is being held without bond.

Also on Wednesday, a man was robbed at knifepoint by two suspects as he was leaving a building.

The incident happened around 10:40 a.m. on the 6100 block of Wilson Blvd, near Seven Corners.

Police are still investigating the the brazen, broad daylight robbery, during which one of the suspects held a knife to the victim’s throat. At one point the man tried to flee and had his hand slashed by the knife-wielding suspect, police said.

ROBBERY, 160412025, 6100 block of N. Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 10:40 a.m. on April 12, two unknown subjects approached a male from behind and held a knife to his throat. When the victim attempted to flee, his hand was cut with the knife. The subjects fled the scene with the victims backpack. The first suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6’0″ tall. He was wearing a black hoodie and black pants. The second suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6’0″ tall. He was wearing a blue hoodie, jeans, and white shoes.

On Wednesday afternoon, meanwhile, a Dumfries man was arrested in Clarendon for allegedly brandishing a gun while driving.

The gun brandishing was observed by a police officer, who at first thought the man was threatening her. She called for backup and then conducted a traffic stop.

The man said he was not brandishing the gun at the officer, but rather at the car behind him, which was following too closely, according to Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage. He was charged with brandishing a firearm near a school — since the New Directions school was located less than 1,000 feet away, on the 2800 block of Wilson Blvd, Savage said.

BRANDISHING FIREARM NEAR SCHOOL, 160412032, 3000 block of N. Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 2:45 p.m. on April 12, while on patrol, an officer observed a male subject brandish a firearm in his vehicle near school property. Jeffrey M. Volan, 36, of Dumfries VA, was arrested and charged with brandishing a firearm near a school. He was held on an unsecured bond.


Police car lightsA man was assaulted by a group of people on Columbia Pike early Friday morning after he got them kicked out of a restaurant, according to police.

The incident started around 8:40 p.m. Thursday as a dispute between two groups of people, inside a restaurant on the 2900 block of Columbia Pike, police said.

One member of a group was upset about being filmed by members of the other group and complained to restaurant management, which reportedly kicked the offending group out.

“Why they were filming or taking pictures inside the restaurant, that was not explained by the victim,” said Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage.

The group that got kicked out apparently decided to hang out in order to exact some retribution. When the victim exited the restaurant around closing time, they assaulted him. The victim later transported himself to the hospital, where he was treated for minor abrasions.

The victim waited until Saturday evening to report the crime to police. From an ACPD crime report:

ASSAULT BY MOB, 160409035, 2900 block of S. Columbia Pike. At approximately 8:40 p.m. on April 7, following a dispute, a victim was assaulted by a number of offenders after he exited a restaurant. The victim was able to give suspect descriptions for two of the suspects. The first suspect is described as a black male in his teens, approximately 5’6″ tall with a slim build. He was wearing glasses and had braces. The second suspect is described as a black male in his twenties, approximately 5’6″ tall with a slim build. The investigation is ongoing.

On Saturday, a block away from the first incident on Columbia Pike, police investigated an alleged abduction and sexual assault.

Officers responded to the Days Inn motel at 3030 Columbia Pike around 10 p.m. Saturday for a report of a dispute. The dispute turned out to be between the victim’s family — she had called them for help — and the suspect.

Police say the victim and the suspect were acquaintances and had gone out for drinks before heading to the motel, where he held her against her will and assaulted her. From today’s crime report:

ABDUCTION WITH THE INTENT TO DEFILE, 160409051, 3000 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 10:00 p.m. on April 9, police responded to a dispute in progress, upon investigation they determined the male subject used threats to hold the female victim against her will and assaulted her. Jorge Luis Velazquez Camacho, 34, of Wheaton Maryland, was arrested and charged with abduction with the intent to defile, object sexual penetration, strangulation, possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, and assault and battery. He is being held without bond.


Arlington police carArlington’s crime rate dipped by about 6 percent last year, according to new crime data from the Arlington County Police Department.

It’s the second consecutive year of a crime decline. In 2014, the crime rate dropped by 8.22 percent. In 2013, crime increased just over 3 percent.

The crime rate takes into account only “Part I” offenses — homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft.

Of those categories, three saw increases in 2015. Robberies were up from 110 to 115, a 4.5 percent increase, aggravated assaults rose from 141 to 144, a 2.1 percent increase, and homicides doubled — from 1 to 2.

Excluding the police shooting of a combative, metal pole-wielding domestic violence suspect — deemed a justifiable homicide but included in the statistics — the homicide rate would have remained steady. The one criminal homicide of the year was the murder of Bonnie Delgado Black; the trial of Black’s estranged husband, David Black, on first degree murder charges is scheduled to begin June 13.

More details on the crime rate, from ACPD, are below.

Arlington’s overall crime rate decreased by 6.01% in 2015. This is the second year in a row the overall crime rate in Arlington County decreased. The crime data is collected using the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).

The grand total of Part I offenses (homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft) was 3,631 in 2015, down from 3,863 in 2014. Additionally, the Police Department received a total of 87,475 calls for service during the calendar year. “Safe communities are built on strong partnerships between police and the communities they serve,” commented Chief of Police M. Jay Farr. “We are committed to engaging with our citizens and making our community safer together.”

Following current national trends, property crimes declined in Arlington County in 2015. The largest decrease were the number of burglaries, down 13.59%. In addition, larcenies decreased by 7.08%. Motor vehicle theft resulted in the largest increase at 11.03%. The Arlington County Police Department is reminding citizens to always keep doors locked and windows up whenever leaving their vehicle unattended. Valuables should be removed from sight and never store a spare key inside your vehicle.

There were two categories that experiences marginal increases in 2015. Robberies increased from 110 in 2014 to 115 in 2015, a 4.55% increase. Aggravated assaults increased from 141 in 2014 to 144 in 2015, a 2.13% increase. There were two homicides last year in Arlington County, both stemming from domestic-related incidents. There was no change in the number of rapes reported. The police department will continue to be a visible presence throughout Arlington County as officers actively patrol areas and investigate reports.

The Arlington County Police Department remains focused on the reduction of the incidents of crime, and the improvement of quality of life in Arlington County. We will continue to work diligently to reduce crime and keep Arlington’s neighborhoods safe by concentrating on our commitment to community engagement, transportation safety and crime control.


Arlington crime map

The Arlington County Police Department has rolled out a new crime mapping tool.

The crime map allows anyone to see where crimes have been reported, down to the block level, in a given date range. From an ACPD press release:

The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) recently partnered with BAIR Analytics to provide an additional way for the public to stay informed about criminal incidents occurring in Arlington County. The Arlington County Police Department now has an online crime map called RAIDS Online which displays criminal incidents along with some basic information such as the type of crime, block-level address, date and time.

Arlington County citizens can view a map and grid with all of the crimes in their area and sign up for crime alerts that automatically email a breakdown of recent crime activity. RAIDS Online automatically syncs with the Arlington County Police Department’s records system to keep crime information updated online and in the mobile app.


Arlington police carA couple in Lyon Park looked out the window last night and saw a man videotaping them.

The incident happened just before 11 p.m., at the Sheffield Court Apartments. The man fled before police could arrive. It’s unclear why he was filming them.

“Subject has not been taken into custody so a motive is unknown at this time,” said Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage.

From an ACPD crime report:

PEEPING TOM, 160323069, 800 block of N. Wayne Street. At approximately 10:45 p.m. on March 23, a male and female victim reported seeing a male subject recording them through a window. The subject fled the scene on foot. The suspect is described as a white male in his 30’s, with a slim build. He was wearing a light colored shirt.

Also on Wednesday, an argument between two men took a violent turn when one tried to stab the other.

The incident happened near the Shirlington Employment and Education Center, along Four Mile Run.

ATTEMPTED MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 160323045, 2700 block of S. Nelson Street. At approximately 5:57 p.m. on March 23, following a verbal altercation a male subject pulled out a knife and attempted to stab a male victim. Oscar Bermudes, 41, of Arlington VA, was arrested and charged with attempted malicious wounding. He is being held without bond.


Police car lightsA woman told police that two men tried to abduct her near the entrance to the Lubber Run Amphitheater last night.

The alleged incident happened around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, on the 200 block of N. Columbus Street in the Arlington Forest neighborhood.

The victim told detectives that two men approached her from behind as she was walking down the street. One tried to place something over her head while the other tried to muffle her screams and also touched her inappropriately, she said.

The woman was able to break free and the men fled on foot, according to a crime report. Despite the presumed commotion, there have thus far been no reports of neighbors who heard or witnessed the incident.

Police are planning to canvass the area to further investigate the crime and are also planning to increase foot patrols in the neighborhood, said ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage.

This incident is not believed to be related to a string of sexual assault incidents last summer, Savage said — the suspects in those incidents are both in custody.

From the crime report:

ATTEMPTED ABDUCTION, 160322052, 200 block of N. Columbus Street. At approximately 8:30 p.m. on March 22, two unknown male subjects approached a female from behind. One subject attempted to place an unknown object over her head while the other subject touched her inappropriately. The female was able to break free from the subjects and they fled the scene on foot. The first suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5’7″ tall and weighed 130 lbs. He was wearing a dark colored shirt and white/black checkered shorts. The second suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5’7″ tall and weighed 130 lbs. He was wearing dark colored pants and a dark colored shirt.


Police car lightsA 22-year-old D.C. man is in custody after police say he tried, unsuccessfully, to rob two women of their purses in broad daylight in Clarendon.

The alleged crime happened around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, on the 2900 block of Clarendon Blvd, near the Cheesecake Factory.

From an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY, 160209041, 2900 block of N. Clarendon Boulevard. At approximately 3:28 p.m. on February 9, a male subject blocked the path of two females and demanded their purses. The suspect implied he had a weapon in his jacket. The victims fled and the suspect was later apprehended down the road. Michael William Lewis, 22, of Washington DC, was arrested and charged with attempted robbery. He is being held without bond.


Arlington County police logoThe Arlington County Police Department will soon stop sending out weekly crime reports, but is working on a system for placing crime data in a mapped format.

A police spokeswoman tells ARLnow.com that the department will continue producing its daily crime reports. The weekly crime reports were just compilations of the daily reports and deemed redundant.

In the meantime, the police department is planning to start publishing a crime map on its website later this year.

Separately, ACPD recently had a shakeup in its press office. Dustin Sternbeck, who had served as department spokesman since early 2012, in January joined D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department as its top spokesman.

Sternbeck has been making changes to MPD’s public information office, putting a friendlier and more open face on the department, in part through the use of pop culture references and emojis on social media.


Police car lightsA woman hit a 27-year-old man in the face with a bottle early Saturday morning, according to this week’s Arlington County crime report.

The incident happened on the 3100 block of Wilson Blvd, in Clarendon. The man was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. The woman left the scene and remains at large.

From ACPD:

MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 160130008, 3100 block of N. Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 1:30 a.m. on January 30, an unknown subject struck a 27 year-old male victim in the face with a glass bottle. The victim was transported to Virginia Hospital Center for non-life threatening injuries. The suspect is described as a female, no further suspect description.

The rest of the weekly crime report, after the jump.

(more…)


View More Stories