crime

Crime Report: Would-Be Robbers See the Light

By ARLnow.com

A beating and robbery attempt in Douglas Park last week was stopped after someone drove up and shined their headlights on the attackers.

The incident happened around 11:50 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30. According to police, a man had just gotten off the bus, on his way back home from work in Georgetown, and was walking up S. Monroe Street when he saw two suspects hanging out in front of abandoned house.

The victim then noticed the suspects following him. He started to run but the suspects caught up with him and demanded money and his backpack. When the victim refused, the suspects started punching him and then kicking him after he was knocked to the ground, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

A car then pulled up to the scene and shined its headlights on the scuffle, which scared off the suspects. Police were called and the victim was taken to the hospital for numerous minor injuries, including lacerations to his forehead.

From this week’s Arlington County crime report:

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY BY FORCE/MALICIOUS WOUNDING BY MOB, 05/31/12, 1800 block of S. Monroe Street. At 11:51 pm on May 30, two subjects ran down a victim in an attempted robbery and beat him until fleeing the scene after witnesses came to his assistance. The victim sustained multiple injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Suspect #1 is described as a black male, approximately 25 years old, 6’0″ tall, thin build with a goatee. He was wearing a skull cap with shoulder length cornrows, with a white t-shirt and dark colored pants. Suspect #2 is described as a black male, approximately 5’5″ tall, with a medium and stocky build. He was also wearing a skull cap and a black shirt at the time of the incident.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump.

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Indecent Exposure Suspect on the Loose, May be Repeat Offender

By Katie Pyzyk

Two indecent exposure incidents were reported in Arlington over the weekend, and one of the subjects may be a repeat offender.

One incident happened around 3:50 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, on the 2700 block of S. Lang Street in the Long Branch Creek neighborhood, where spectators had gathered to watch a soccer game. One of the attendees was an intoxicated male, who allegedly made inappropriate comments to a female victim in the presence of her daughter. The woman says the man proceeded to urinate with his back to her, then turned around to expose himself to her and her daughter.

The woman called police and they were able to locate 45-year-old Saul Aparicio, of no fixed address, in the vicinity. He was arrested and charged with indecent exposure and being drunk in public. It appears he targeted the woman and her daughter, and didn’t expose himself to others at the soccer game.

The second incident happened last month, around 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, but was reported to police several days later. A man sitting on a restaurant patio in the 3200 block of Wilson Blvd in Clarendon allegedly exposed himself to a woman sitting at a nearby table. The woman says the man had been staring at her and tried to get her attention several times. The man, who was reportedly wearing very short shorts, then exposed himself to her underneath the table. When the woman alerted her friends and they turned around, the suspect left the scene.

The suspect is described as a white male in his mid-sixties, with shoulder length white hair. At the time, he was wearing black shorts, a green polo shirt and sandals. It’s believed this may be the same suspect who was caught masturbating while watching children on a nearby restaurant patio last month.

“He does meet the description of a previous suspect,” said Arlington County police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. “It’s not 100 percent certain it’s the same individual, but the descriptions are very similar.”

Sternbeck says the woman did the right thing by contacting police, but the delay of several days has made it difficult to track down the suspect.

“If you are a victim or witness something of this nature, please contact police immediately,” Sternbeck said. “The chances of us locating this individual days later significantly decreases.”

Anyone who encounters this man, or any other person, performing an indecent act in public should call police, but not try to confront the person. It’s unknown if he may try to inflict harm.

Crime Report: Sexual Battery By Ballston Bicyclist

By ARLnow.com

A woman had to run to safety at Ballston Common Mall after a bicyclist grabbed her buttocks and started riding in circles around her on N. Stuart Street.

As detailed in this week’s Arlington County crime report, the incident happened early Saturday morning outside the Ballston Metro station.

SEXUAL BATTERY, 05/26/12, 900 block of N. Stuart Street. Between 1:10 and 2:10 am on May 26, an unknown male subject on a bicycle grabbed the female victims buttocks as he rode past. The suspect circled the female several times on the bicycle before she walked to a well lit area at the Ballston Common Mall. Police were contacted and a suspect was not located. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his 20’s, approximately 6’1″ tall with a thin build. He was wearing gray t-shirt, dark colored plaid shorts and baseball hat at the time of the incident. The victim does not wish to prosecute.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump.

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Crime Report: Adding Insult to Injury Edition

By ARLnow.com

Arlington police are investigating an incident in which goods purchased with a stolen credit card were mailed to the victim of the credit card fraud, then stolen from the victim’s home.

“There were at least ten pairs of women’s shoes and several purses mailed to [the victim’s] residence several days after his credit card was stolen,” said Arlington County police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. “A day later the package he received was stolen, along with jewelry from the house.”

BURGLARY/CREDIT CARD FRAUD, 05/18/12, 3000 block of N. Lee Highway. On May 18 at 4:50 pm, a victim reported a burglary at his residence of various items. One day prior, the victim received numerous packages in the mail that were purchased with his stolen credit card, which were stolen during the burglary along with additional items. There is no suspect description.

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

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Then and Now: Rosslyn Circle

By Katie Pyzyk

 

The picture on the left is the area formerly known as Rosslyn Circle, taken around 1925. Records indicate the businesses shown were on Agnew Avenue, which is now Lynn Street. They stood at the base of the newly finished Key Bridge, which replaced the Aqueduct Bridge in 1923.

Rosslyn, and this section in particular, used to be considered a rough area. After the Civil War ended, many soldiers stayed behind. They drove out the farmers who previously owned the land in Rosslyn, and set up saloons, gambling houses and houses of prostitution. Thievery and murder were a regular occurrence, and locals knew not to walk there at night, if at all.

By the early 1900s, fed up residents wanted to rejuvenate the area and formed groups such as the “Anti-Saloon League.” They worked to change Rosslyn’s colloquial slogan from “Gateway to Perdition” to “Gateway to Virginia.” It took decades to drive out the unsavory elements.

By the 1950s, big plans were in the works to fully transform Rosslyn Circle and the surrounding area from a slummy, dangerous part of town teeming with pawnbrokers into a business hub sporting high rises. Much of the area was razed, both to accommodate the new buildings, and to make way for the completion of Interstate 66.

By about 1963, nearly all of old Rosslyn was gone, and businesses and industry poured into the area. Adding to the renewal was the promise of a Metro station, which was completed in 1977.

The photo on the right shows what the area near the old Rosslyn Circle looks like today.

Historic photo courtesy Arlington Public Library’s Virginia Room.

Man Commits Lewd Act While Watching Children

By Katie Pyzyk

(Updated at 12:25 p.m.) Police are encouraging residents to be on alert for a man caught masturbating in public while watching children across the street.

According to police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck, the man was first seen sitting on the sidewalk in between two cars with a newspaper over his lap, in the 1000 block of N. Fillmore Street in Clarendon, on Saturday, May 19. Staff from a restaurant across the street saw the man masturbating as he watched children playing on the restaurant patio.

Witnesses called the police, and one staff member walked across the street to ask the man to leave. He left without causing trouble. Police have not been able to locate him, and want residents to be aware of the incident.

“We’re putting the word out in light of several recent exposure incidents and sexual assaults,” Sternbeck said.

The children and other customers did not see the man; the act was only witnessed by restaurant staff.

He is described as a white man, around 60 years old, with medium length gray hair. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a black shirt, navy shorts and a dark colored hat.

Anyone who might encounter this man, or any other person, performing an indecent act in public is asked to call the police immediately. Police recommend not confronting the offender, as it’s not known if he might try to inflict harm.

Crime Report: Fighting Back Edition

By ARLnow.com

A woman was sexually assaulted last night as she walked into her apartment building in the Columbia Heights neighborhood. The victim managed to fight back, however, and the suspect left some incriminating evidence at the scene as he fled.

From this week’s Arlington County crime report:

SEXUAL BATTERY, 05/15/12, 2900 block of S. 13th Street. At 9:33 pm on May 15, a victim was walking into her apartment building when a subject ran up from behind and sexually assaulted her. The victim began throwing punches and was able to take the subject to the ground. As the suspect fled the scene, he dropped his cell phone and car keys. Police have knowledge of the suspect’s identity, but have been unable to locate him at this time.

Police say the incident was not related to a series of sexual assaults Friday night.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump.

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Attacks on Two Women Prompt Warning from Police

By Katie Pyzyk

Attacks on two women on the same night, believed to be by the same suspect, have Arlington County Police cautioning walkers, particularly women. Both incidents took place late last Friday, May 11.

The first occurred around 11:15 p.m. in the 3300 block of Washington Blvd, according to police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. A 26-year-old female walked home alone after having spent a night out with friends. After she typed in the security code to open her garage door and walked inside the garage, she noticed the suspect standing at the bottom of her driveway. She became frightened and tried to close the automated garage door, but the man allegedly rushed toward her and stuck his hand over a sensor, causing the door to re-open. She made it inside the house, locked the door and called police while the suspect fled the scene.

According to Sternbeck, the victim described the suspect as a black man with a dark complexion and short hair, about 5’11”, 200 pounds and around 30 years of age. At the time, he had been wearing khaki pants and a red and white checkered shirt. The victim noted that she saw the suspect wearing black gloves when he put his hand over the garage sensor.

About an hour later, an individual matching the same description is believed to have attacked a woman in the 2100 block of Lee Highway. The 24-year-old female was walking home alone when the suspect allegedly grabbed and sexually assaulted her. The woman struggled and managed to punch the suspect in the stomach. He then reportedly threw her in some bushes and fled.

This victim told police that the suspect had covered her mouth to prevent her from screaming, and was wearing black gloves.

“Based on their descriptions and the similiarities in the incidents, we believe it’s the same individual,” Sternbeck said.

Police are reminding people to be aware of their surroundings, not to walk alone and to carry a cell phone for emergencies. Walkers are warned not to put themselves in vulnerable situations, or to have the “that can’t happen to me” mentality.

“We want people to be educated if they’re going to be out late at night,” Sternbeck said. “These are things you need to be aware of.”

Anybody with information about the suspect that may lead to his arrest is asked to call the police non-emergency number, at 703-558-2222.

ACPD Members Awarded for Fighting Crimes Against the Elderly

By Katie Pyzyk

Two members of the Arlington County Police Department were recognized for their investigative prowess at a luncheon hosted by Arlington County Crime Solvers yesterday. Officer James O’Daniel and Detective Christine Everest both received the Detective of the Year Award for their efforts to end fraud and scams targeting the elderly.

One police official said the pair’s efforts were part of the department’s “War on Woodchucks” — a reference to the name sometimes given to scam artists who prey on senior citizens by performing unnecessary yard work and charging exorbitant amounts of money for it. Some of the offenders repeatedly target the same victims, or inform other scam artists of who to target. It’s not unusual for some of the victims to lose tens of thousands of dollars during interactions with woodchucks.

Even after being asked about winning the award, Everest turned the attention back to helping the elderly. She encouraged people to watch out for their neighbors and to call the police if they notice something suspicious. She added that there’s still a long road ahead in the fight to end these kinds of crimes in Arlington, and she’d like to see tougher laws put in place to bring the scam artists to justice.

“We’re both appreciative that the focus of today was on crimes against the elderly,” Everest said. “It’s out there and it’s unfortunate, and these are not small amounts that we’re talking about. You can have one individual who can have upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars being taken from them from scams. A lot of times these individuals come in contract with a dozen or more people who are scamming them for this money.”

“As a sidenote, I guess we’re getting a little bit of a tribute ourselves,” Everest added. “We were not expecting anything like this. The recognition is overwhelming.”

Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck explained that in addition to their usual work, Everest and O’Daniel created informational brochures to help people identify if they’d been victimized, and to let victims know where to go for help.

“It’s important to note that both of these individuals didn’t just do the minimal amount required. They went above and beyond their typical day-to-day work on the streets,” said Sternbeck. “From the chief level down, we’re very proud to have them represent us.”

Some of Everest’s notable contributions include displaying compassion and establishing a rapport with victims, researching suspects and conducting surveillance in areas known for being targeted.

One of O’Daniel’s major accomplishments was performing traffic stops after observing questionable solicitation practices by known scam artists, which led to additional violations such as identity theft. He also exhibited proactive enforcement by speaking with residents who were having repair or yard work done.

The luncheon, which raised money that will support Arlington County Crime Solvers, was attended by a number of local officials and lawmakers, including County Board member Walter Tejada, Police Chief Douglas Scott, Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo Stamos, Del. Bob Brink, Del. Patrick Hope, Del. Alfonso Lopez and state Sen. Adam Ebbin. Lopez said this year’s awards will help highlight the problem of scams against the elderly, which often don’t receive as much attention as better-publicized crimes like robberies and burglaries.

“The two people who won the award today are doing critical work to try to protect elderly [residents] who are being scammed by folks coming to their houses,” Lopez said. “This is a scam that’s happening far too often, and it’s hurting the elderly and immigrant populations more than others.

Lopez added that Everest and O’Daniel’s effectiveness in investigating such crimes is “a testament to how good our community policing efforts are in Arlington.”

Crime Report: Woman Raped in Tara-Leeway Heights

By ARLnow.com

A woman was raped while visiting her sister in the Tara-Leeway Heights neighborhood last Thursday, according to this week’s Arlington County crime report.

The crime happened while the victim was visiting her sister’s apartment, in the basement of a home shared by several tenants, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. A man who lives in one of the rooms forced himself upon her while in one of the basement’s common areas, according to Sternbeck.

RAPE, 04/26/12, 2100 block of N. Patrick Henry Drive. At 3:30 pm on April 26, a victim was raped by a known subject at a multi-family residence. Carlos Montalban Pineda, 45, of Arlington, VA, was arrested and charged with animate object sexual penetration.

On Saturday a man was arrested after police say he brandished a BB gun during a parking dispute at Gunston Middle School.

BRANDISHING A FIREARM, 04/28/12, 2700 block of S. Lang Street. On April 28 at 9:37 pm, a subject displayed a black handgun after arguing with the victim over a parking space. Officers located the suspect a short time later at a soccer field and learned the firearm was a BB gun. Mohamed Sesay, 30, of Alexandria, VA, was arrested and charged with brandishing a firearm on school property. He was held on no bond.

On Sunday, police responded to the Comfort Inn in Ballston for a report of two women who were advertising prostitution services on Backpage.com while using the hotel’s lobby computer. No arrests were made.

PROSTITUTION, 04/29/12, 1200 block of N. Glebe Road. At 8 pm on April 29, officers were alerted of two subjects engaged in prostitution at an area hotel. Upon arrival, it was learned that the subjects were placing online solicitations ads from the hotel lobby computer.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump.

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Crime Report: Really Bad Day Edition

By ARLnow.com

A woman had a double whammy of a bad day this past Friday night/early Saturday morning. Not only was her bike stolen from outside the Ballston Metro station, but a man tried to rob her at knifepoint while she was walking home after finding out that her bike was stolen.

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY, 04/14/12, 1400 block of N. Glebe Road. On April 14 at 12:20 am, after returning to Arlington from DC to find her bike stolen from the Ballston Metro stop, a female walking home alone was approached by an unknown subject with a knife. The suspect demanded the victims purse, causing the victim to begin screaming for help. The suspect fled the scene on foot without the purse and is described as a white male, early-mid thirties in age, approximately 5’6″ to 5’8″ tall, with a semi-muscular build and a chipped or missing front tooth. He was wearing a Phillies jersey and jeans at the time of the attempted robbery.

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

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