(Updated at 1:15 p.m.) A man has been badly injured after jumping off a bridge while running from Arlington County police.

The incident happened around 11 p.m. Tuesday on Shirlington Road, between the Shirlington and Nauck neighborhoods

The man was pulled over after being spotted driving recklessly on I-395, weaving in and out of traffic and driving on the shoulder at an excess rate of speed, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. He exited the highway at Shirlington and pulled into an Exxon parking lot.

After stopping the car, the man got out and started running, shouting that officers would have to shoot him to stop him, Sternbeck said. While fleeing he jumped from the Shirlington Road bridge over Four Mile Run and fell onto rocks some 20 feet below.

The man was still breathing but was bleeding profusely from a “severe head injury” in which brain matter could be seen, according to scanner reports. He was transported to the trauma center at George Washington University hospital.

The car the man was driving was reported to be a rental car. Police say he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.

No word yet on the man’s identity, but police said he is 37 years old and from Fort Washington, Maryland. He’s currently listed in critical condition, clinging to life but unresponsive, we hear.

The Shirlington Road bridge was closed in both directions for a period of time while investigators documented the scene.


A man was arrested after leading Arlington County police on a foot chase in Crystal City yesterday.

The incident happened around 4:15 p.m.

Police had pulled over a suspected stolen vehicle on Route 1, near the CEA building, when the driver took off running. Police gave chase and, after a pursuit that included a sprint through a hotel, officers were able to take the man into custody near the PBS building at 2100 Crystal Drive.

Stephan Townes, 26, of Alexandria was charged with grand larceny auto and driving on a suspended license, according to ACPD spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. He also was wanted on warrants for credit card fraud and identity theft in Arlington.


Arlington County police carA man has been taken into custody after leading Arlington County police on a foot chase that ended along I-395.

The chase started around 5:30 p.m. near S. Joyce Street in the Pentagon City area. The suspect led officers on a foot pursuit towards Washington Blvd and then along a southbound I-395 ramp, according to scanner traffic.

The man started running during a traffic stop, and may have had warrants out for his arrest, according to initial reports.

No injuries have been reported, though paramedics have been dispatched to the scene as a precaution.


Post-storm sunset over the Air Force Memorial 6/23/15

Graduation Live Streaming Nixed — Arlington Public Schools canceled internet live streaming of its high school graduation ceremonies this year due to budget cuts. Graduation ceremonies has been streamed online for the past two years. [InsideNova]

Police Foot Chase in Pentagon City — Last night, after the Pentagon City mall was evacuated due to a power outage, mall security spotted two men lingering and entering closed stores. Police were given a lookout and one of the alleged suspects was spotted outside the mall. A foot chase ensured and the man was apprehended behind nearby Pentagon Row. No word yet on any changes.

Economic Chief Has a Plan For Arlington — New Arlington Economic Development Director Victor Hoskins says he has a plan for economic growth in the county that will reduce the county’s office vacancy rate from the current 21 percent to 10 percent over the next six years. The plan includes “a mix of much more aggressive marketing efforts, incentives and other government aid, and the help of ‘frenemies’ in competing local governments such as the District and Alexandria.” [Washington Business Journal]

A-Town Plans ‘Sunday Funday’ Summer Kickoff — “Ballston’s rowdiest bar,” A-Town Bar and Grill, will be kicking off its summer “Sunday Fundays” this weekend with “squirt guns, beach balls, popsicles, barbecue, water balloons” and multiple DJs. [Clarendon Nights]


(Updated at 2:25 p.m. on 12/23/21) A Woodbridge man is in jail after police say he broke into an apartment and started fondling a woman as she slept.

Joshua [Redacted], 23, has been charged with burglary with intent to commit rape and sexual assault and battery. Police say he broke a window and gained entry into an apartment on the 4500 block of Arlington Blvd, near the National Guard Readiness Center, around 3:00 a.m. this past Sunday morning. Once inside, police say he started touching a woman who was in bed asleep.

“[Redacted] entered the victim’s bedroom and began to fondle her as she slept,” according to an Arlington County Police Department press release. “The 36 year-old female awoke at approximately 3:10 a.m., as [Redacted] was lying next to her and screamed. The victim ran to the lobby of her apartment complex and called police.”

“As officers were conducting their initial search of the apartment, a male subject matching [Redacted’s] description was seen standing outside the rear of the residence,” the press release continued. “A foot pursuit ensued and [Redacted] was taken into custody.”

[Redacted] was denied bond and is currently being held at the Arlington County Detention Facility.


(Updated at 6:20 p.m.) An out-of-control SUV struck the front of Bangkok 54 restaurant (2919 Columbia Pike) this afternoon.

The crash happened around 3:45 p.m. Damage to the building appeared to be relatively minor and confined to the front facade of the eatery. The vehicle also nicked a street tree before coming to rest between Bangkok 54 and Maruko Japanese Restaurant. A box of beer could be seen in the back of the SUV.

The driver tried to run once police arrived on scene, we’re told. He hopped a fence behind the nearby McDonald’s restaurant but was tased by police and apprehended a block or two away.

The man, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, was evaluated for minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where he will undergo drug and alcohol testing, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. No other injuries were reported.

Police are investigating whether the vehicle might have been stolen or used without authorization.

 


This week’s Arlington County crime report contained a number of notable items. Among them:

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, a suspect tried to flee after police found 32 grams of crack cocaine during a traffic stop on S. Glebe Road. Police used a Taser to help stop the suspect, identified by police as 41-year-old Deron Brown of Washington, D.C. Brown was charged with possession with the intent to distribute.

POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE (COCAINE), 02/07/12, 1200 block of S. Glebe Road. During a traffic stop at 2:30 pm on February 7, officers located approximately 32 grams of crack cocaine, a scale, six cell phones, numerous baggies and cash on a subject. When the subject resisted commands from officers and attempted to flee the scene on foot, he was tased. The subject was arrested and charged with transporting in excess of 28 grams of crack cocaine into the commonwealth, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and obstruction of justice. The subject has a past criminal history to include murder and armed robbery.

On Monday, Feb. 6, three juvenile suspects snatched the cell phone of a man at Pentagon City mall and tried to flee to the nearby Metro station. A witness, however, was able to apprehend one of the suspects — and was punched in the face during the apprehension.

ROBBERY, 02/06/12, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street. On February 6 at 1:50 pm, two juvenile males distracted a man in the food court of Pentagon City Mall, while a third juvenile subject grabbed the victims iPhone. All three suspects ran towards the Metro escalator. A witness was able to apprehend one of the suspects and was punched in the face as a result. Mall security held the suspect in custody until police arrived. The apprehended suspect provided police information on his two accomplices.

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, a “known gang affiliate” was stabbed in the abdomen after leaving a soccer game at Gunston Middle School.

MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 02/01/12, 1400 block of S. 28th Street. Arlington County officers were dispatched to INOVA Alexandria Hospital in reference to a victim that was stabbed in the abdomen. Shortly before 4 pm on February 1, the male victim and known gang affiliate, had left a soccer game at Gunston Middle School and was stabbed by an unknown subject. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6’3″ tall with a skinny build. At the time of the incident, the suspect was wearing a black Northface jacket, black fleece pants, black Nike boots and a black baseball hat.

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

(more…)


Happy Birthday, Mr. President — Last night’s Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting included a special birthday tribute to President Barack Obama, who turns 50 today. ACDC members sang a rendition of “happy birthday” and then chowed down on slices of birthday cake.

Suspect Eludes Cops, Helicopter — A man suspected of an unspecified crime in another jurisdiction fled from Arlington police just after 10:00 last night. The man took off on foot during a traffic stop on the 1700 block of N. Quebec Street, just north of W-L High School. Police set up a perimeter, called in K-9 units and requested assistance from the U.S. Park Police Eagle 1 helicopter, in an effort to find the man. The search was called off around 11:30, but all was not lost — police were able to nab the three other suspects in the vehicle.

Stolen iPhone Dealers Busted in Pentagon City — Two cellular phone kiosks in the Pentagon City mall have been busted by Metro Transit Police for allegedly selling stolen iPhones. The illegality was discovered while police were investigating “the theft of a large number of electronics equipment from Metro riders in early 2010.” [Washington Examiner]

Arlington’s Low Transportation Costs — Rent and real estate costs in Arlington may be high, but the average cost of transportation is relatively low. According to a new study, transportation (car and transit expenses combined) costs Arlington residents about $975 per month. The regional average is $1,246. “Transportation costs in Arlington County are significantly lower than the regional average due to high levels of transit connectivity and job access,” the report says. [Center for Neighborhood Technology, DCist]


Police have apprehended a suspect after a foot chase through Ballston.

Initial reports suggest that a man fled on foot from some sort of incident in Ballston Common Mall while armed with a knife. Police chased the suspect for several blocks. He was finally apprehended near Carpool restaurant (4000 Fairfax Drive).

Medics are responding to the scene to treat an injured security guard.

Update at 11:30 a.m. on 6/7/11 — The police department has released the following description of the incident.

ATTEMPT MALICIOUS WOUNDING-ARREST, 06/06/11, 4200 block of Wilson Boulevard. On June 6 at 4:25 pm, a man assaulted a mall security guard and left the area. He then returned with a knife and damaged some office items. When police first located him, he ran, but was apprehended. Deandre Davis, 30, of Arlington, was charged with Attempted Malicious Wounding, Assault and Battery, Destruction of Property and Trespassing. He was held without bond.


In this week’s Arlington County crime report, we learn more about the suspect arrested after a series of foot chases Sunday night.

ABDUCTION-ARREST, 05/02/11, 4900 block of N. 19th Street. On May 1 at 11:15 pm, a 17 year-old female was attacked by a former acquaintance. The suspect grabbed the victim and pulled her to a wooded area where he attempted to sexually assault her. The victim managed to escape and call police. After an extensive search and several foot pursuits, police apprehended the suspect. Milton Masariego-Deleon, 22, of Arlington, was charged with Abduction with the Intent to Defile. He was held without bond.

On Tuesday night, three suspects lured a day laborer into their car, then assaulted him and stole his money and cell phone.

ROBBERY, 05/03/11, 600 block of S. Carlin Springs Road. On May 3 at 5:30 pm, a man entered a vehicle under the understanding that he was being hired for manual labor. An unknown female drove the car, and two unknown men were inside. The men then assaulted the subject and stole his cell phone and cash. The victim managed to flee the area. The suspects were all African American. The female was in her early 30’s, wore a purple top and had long hair. The first male suspect was in his late 20’s, 6’3″ with a skinny build. He was clean cut and wore a red and white short-sleeve shirt, black pants and black sunglasses. The second suspect was in his mid-30’s, 6’3″ with a chubby build. He had a goatee and wore a blue and red t-shirt and black pants.

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

(more…)


(Updated at 1:10 a.m.) A U.S. Park Police helicopter helped Arlington County police search for a suspect near Ballston tonight.

Police were investigating a possible attempted sexual assault just before midnight when a man took off running. After police lost track of him, the helicopter and a K-9 unit were called in to help search a neighborhood just west of Ballston Common Mall.

Around 12:50 a.m., police located the suspect, who took off running again. Officers were able to catch up with him and take him into custody outside the church at N. Carlin Springs Road and N. Thomas Street.

Photo courtesy @navidsm


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