crime

Authorities Warn of Car Break-Ins

By ARLnow.com

Officials are warning residents about a rash of car break-ins in Arlington.

Last week, according to the Ode Street Tribune, police told members of the Radnor/Ft. Myer Heights Civic Association that thieves have been smashing car windows in the Rosslyn area to steal GPS devices.

Yesterday, management of the Archstone Ballston Square apartments sent the following email to residents, suggesting that the number of break-ins is on the rise.

Dear Residents,

Within the past week, there has been an increase in reported thefts from cars garaged in the Ballston/Arlington area.  Recently, we have experienced several incidents where items have been reported taken from automobiles garaged at our community.  While we do not wish to alarm you, we did want to make you aware of the situation.  We share your concern regarding these incidents and are fully cooperating with local authorities.

We take great pride in providing you with a great living environment. To that end, it is important that we all understand that the protection of person and property is the sole responsibility of each resident.  As a reminder, and as specified in your Lease Agreement we encourage you to report any illegal or suspicious behavior. Please take a second look if something or someone appears out of place, or seems odd or curious. If you suspect troubling activity or suspicious individuals, call the concierge desk immediately or the Arlington County Police nonemergency number at 703.598.2222 703.558.2222. If there is clear and present danger, call 911. In addition, we ask you to be mindful of the following:

Please use safety measures when parking your car – lock all car doors and activate your car alarm if you have one

Do not allow unknown individuals to follow you into the community

Do not leave valuables such as laptops, GPS systems, cell phones, iPods, tools, etc in plain sight in your car

Report any suspicious or criminal activity immediately to the Arlington County Police Department (call 911)

Again, we certainly do not want to alarm you, but felt it was important to let you know of this activity.

There were 11 break-ins listed in the latest Arlington County crime report. The crime report typically only lists incidents in which more than one car was broken into.

Crime Report: The Tables Have Turned Edition

By ARLnow.com

In this week’s Arlington County crime report, a man pulls a gun on his ex-boyfriend on Valentine’s Day, leading to a struggle. The victim manages to take away the suspect’s gun, and the suspect flees. Ironically, this scene played out only one block from police headquarters in Courthouse.

ABDUCTION 02/14/11, 2000 block of N. 15th Street. On February 14 at 6:50 pm, a man was walking to his car when his ex-boyfriend approached him displaying a firearm. The suspect attempted to force the victim into a car, and the two struggled. The victim was able to recover the weapon and call police. The suspect fled. Warrants are pending.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump.

(more…)

Crime Report: Girls Gone Wild Edition

By ARLnow.com

Two young women came to Clarendon this weekend looking to have a good time at one of our local watering holes. They both chose a bar on the 3100 block of Wilson Boulevard, the long block that includes Spider Kelly’s and Clarendon Ballroom. And, according to this week’s Arlington County crime report, they both left the bar with police in tow.

ASSAULT AND BATTERY-ARREST 02/05/1, 3100 block of Wilson Boulevard. On February 5 at 12:45 am, an intoxicated woman assaulted several people inside a bar. Brittany Doyle, 22, of Stafford, was charged with Assault and Battery and Drunk in Public. She was held until sober.

ASSAULT AND BATTERY-ARREST 02/06/11, 3100 block of Wilson Boulevard. On February 6 at 1 am, a woman punched another female inside a bar. Mindy Carreon, 21, of Fairfax, was charged with Assault and Battery and released on a summons.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump.

(more…)

Crime Report: Colonial Village Grabbings

By ARLnow.com

A man grabbed two women inappropriately at an apartment complex in the Colonial Village area early Saturday morning.

SEXUAL BATTERY 01/29/11, 1800 block of N. Scott Street. On January 29 at 1 am, a woman exited an elevator and an unknown man grabbed her buttocks. When she rebuked him, he pushed her. She screamed and the suspect fled. He is described as an African American male in his 20’s, 6′ and 180 lbs with a goatee. He was wearing dark clothing. This call is similar to the below.

SEXUAL BATTERY 01/29/11, 1800 block of N. Scott Street. On January 29 at 1:30 am, a woman was walking while talking on her cell phone. When she paused to look for her keys, an unknown man grabbed her chest. The victim told the friend on the phone to call the police and the suspect fled. He is described as an African American male in his 20’s wearing dark clothing.

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

(more…)

Crime Report: Apple Store Caper

By ARLnow.com

The Apple Store in Clarendon, with its pricey electronics on display for all to touch and try out, is no stranger to thefts and attempted thefts. Last week things got a little more interesting when one of the suspects allegedly tried to flee from police on foot.

POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY-ARREST 01/12/11, 2700 block of Clarendon Boulevard. On January 12 at 3:30 pm, four men were observed stealing from an electronics store. Police responded and one suspect was apprehended after a short foot pursuit. The three remaining suspects were stopped at the store. Antoine Nicholson, 21, of Washington D.C., was charged with Possession of Stolen Property with Intent to Sell. He was held on a $1,500 bond. Wayne Goodwin, 20, of Washington D.C., was charged with Petit Larceny and Possession of Stolen Property. He was also held on a $1,500 bond.

The rest of the Arlington County crime report, after the jump.

(more…)

Crime Report: Lots of Larcenies from Auto

By ARLnow.com

It was an especially busy week for thieves in Arlington County. At least 32 cars were broken into in the past seven days, according to the latest Arlington County crime report.

LARCENY FROM AUTO (SERIES) 01/06/11, 3200 block of Wilson Boulevard. On January 6 between 8 pm an 9 pm, an unknown subject broke into at least four vehicles in the same area. Various items were stolen. There are no known suspects.

LARCENY FROM AUTO (SERIES) 01/08/11, 1000 block of Arlington Boulevard. Between 8 pm on January 7, and 6 am on January 8, an unknown subject broke into at least seven vehicles in the same area. Various items were stolen. There are no known suspects.

LARCENY FROM AUTO (SERIES) 01/08/11, 800 block of N. McKinley Street. Between 11 pm on January 7, and noon on January 8, an unknown subject broke into at least three vehicles on the block. Various tools were stolen. There is no suspect description.

LARCENY FROM AUTO (SERIES) 01/08/11, 200 block of N. Granada Street and the 300 block of N. Edison Street. Between 10:30 pm on January 7, and 10 am on January 8, an unknown subject entered at least four unlocked vehicles in the same area. Various items were stolen. There are no known suspects.

LARCENY FROM AUTO (SERIES) 01/10/11, 5200 blocks of S. 10th Place and S. 11th Street, and the 1000 block of S. Edison Street. On January 10 between midnight and 7 am, an unknown subject broke into at least ten vehicles in the same area. Various items were stolen. There are no known suspects.

LARCENY FROM AUTO (SERIES) 01/11/11, 4900 block of Chesterfield Road. On January 11 between 3 pm and 5:30 pm, an unknown subject broke into at least two vehicles in the same parking lot. Various items were stolen. There are no known suspects.

LARCENY FROM AUTO (SERIES) 01/11/11, 1400 block of N. Quincy Street. On January 11 between 8 pm and 10 pm, an unknown subject broke into at least two vehicles in the same area. Various items were stolen. There is no suspect description.

The rest of the report, including a man who’s accused of pulling a gun on a tow truck driver because he “thought” his car was being towed, after the jump.

(more…)

Crime Report: Towing and Parking Assaults

By ARLnow.com

Parking can be a frustrating thing. If parking is sparse, finding that one parking spot can turn into a competition. And if you park in the wrong spot, getting towed is certainly not very fun.

Should you should find yourself in such a situation, however, you should remain calm. Otherwise, if you lose your cool, you could wind up in handcuffs.

ASSAULT AND BATTERY-ARREST 12/31/10, 4000 block of N. 5th Street. On December 31 at 5 pm, a man assaulted a tow truck driver and broke a glass window at the towing property. Steven McClinchey, 48, of Arlington, was charged with Assault and Battery and Destruction of Property.

ASSAULT AND BATTERY-ARREST 01/02/11, 3700 block of Columbia Pike. On January 2 at 4 pm, a man assaulted a woman regarding an argument over a parking space. Barahona Marquez, 40, of Arlington, was charged with Assault and battery. He was released on a summons.

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

(more…)

Crime Report: Holiday Edition

By ARLnow.com

Crime didn’t completely take a holiday over the weekend, but it certainly was at lower-than-usual levels.

Here are the two Grinchiest moments in Arlington, with both occurring on Christmas Eve.

MALICIOUS WOUNDING 12/25/10, 4300 block of Lee Highway. On December 25 at 3 am, a man was at a party when another man stabbed him in the arm. The suspect is described as a 25 year-old white Hispanic male, 5’6″ and 200 lbs.

ASSAULT ON POLICE-ARREST 12/24/10, 2000 block of S. Jefferson Davis Highway. On December 24 at 10:15 pm, police responded to a hotel for an intoxicated male. The man was wanted out of Fairfax County on two warrants. When officers attempted to place him in custody, he assaulted on, and fled on foot. He was located and arrested. Dejuan Butler, 28, of Faulkner, MD, was charged with Assault and battery on Law Enforcement. He was held without bond.

Then, on Monday, a suspect allegedly put his hand under a woman’s skirt as she was riding up the escalator at the Clarendon Metro.

SEXUAL BATTERY 12/27/10, 3100 block of Wilson Boulevard. On December 27 at 3:10 pm, a woman was on the metro escalator when she realized a suspect slid his hand and cell phone under her skirt. She yelled and he left the station. The suspect is described as a white Hispanic male in his early 30’s, 4’10” with short black hair. He was wearing white sneakers, khaki pants, a light-colored sweatshirt and a denim jacket.

We initially heard that the woman snapped a cell phone photo of the suspect, which could be very helpful in catching the guy. So far, however, we haven’t been able to confirm that with police.

The rest of the Arlington County crime report, after the jump.

(more…)

Crime Report: Fighting in Public Edition

By ARLnow.com

Arlington’s malls, bars and restaurants could have been mistaken for the set of the Jerry Springer Show over the past week, with five separate cases of violence or attempted violence.

ASSAULT AND BATTERY-ARREST 12/16/10, 1000 block of S. Hayes Street. On December 16 at 3:30 am, a male employee of a department store assaulted a female employee. Brian Austin, 18, of Washington D.C., was charged with Assault and Battery. He was held on a $2,500 bond.

ASSAULT AND BATTERY-ARREST 12/19/10, 3100 block of Wilson Boulevard. On December 19 at 2 am, a man fought with others inside a bar. The suspect knocked a woman to the ground during the struggle. Sean McCliggott, 24, of McLean, was charged with Assault and Battery. He was held on a $5,000 bond.

ASSAULT AND BATTERY 12/19/10, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street. On December 19 at 4:25 pm, two women argued in a mall bathroom, and one slapped the other. The suspect is described as an African American female with a light complexion, 5’4″, and 115 lbs. She was wearing a pink sweater and jeans.

ASSAULT BY MOB 12/19/10, 2000 block of Wilson Boulevard. On December 19 at 1:30 am, several males assaulted another male outside a restaurant. The suspects were white males in their late 20’s to early 30’s.

ATTEMPTED MALICIOUS WOUNDING 12/18/10, 1100 block of N. Highland Street. On December 18 at 12:45 am, a man lunged at a bouncer with a knife when he would not the let the suspect in a restaurant for free. The suspect is described as a white male with blonde or red hair, 5’9″ and 200 lbs. He was wearing a brown plaid shirt and jeans.

The rest of the Arlington County crime report, after the jump.

(more…)

Crime Report: Armed Threats

By ARLnow.com

In this week’s Arlington County crime report, a female escort is robbed by a man with a gun, and a man who threatened to get his gun is Tasered by police.

ROBBERY 12/08/10, 1200 block of N. Glebe Road. On December 8 at 12:15 pm, a man brandished a handgun and robbed a female escort in a hotel room. The suspect is described as an African American male, 5’9′ with a medium build. He was wearing a white shirt, black pants and black shoes.

ASSAULT ON POLICE-ARREST 12/14/10, 1200 block of S. Nash Street. On December 14 at 11:30 pm, a police officer towed a vehicle. The vehicle owner threatened to get a firearm from his residence, left the scene, and returned. When he did not comply with police commands, a tazer was deployed. John Pistolas, 47, of Arlington, was charged with Assault on Law Enforcement. He was held on a $1,000 bond.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump.

(more…)

Torrez Sentenced to Life in Prison

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Kendrick had little sympathy for former Marine Jorge Torrez at the convicted rapist’s sentencing today.

Calling Torrez a “coward,” Kendrick imposed the jury’s recommendation that Torrez serve five consecutive life sentences, plus an additional 168 years in prison. Torrez will also pay a $190,000 fine.

Two of Torrez’s three victims were in court for the sentencing, as was one of the jury members from the October trial.

In her argument before the court today, Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo Stamos said Torrez is a “predator” who made his victims endure horrifying ordeals. The jury “did the exact right thing” by recommending multiple life sentences, she said.

Torrez is currently being held in the Arlington County Detention Facility. He may eventually be transferred to a state prison, or may be sent to Illinois, where prosecutors are forming a case against Torrez in a 2005 double homicide.

View More Stories