Homelessness Still Falling in Arlington — The annual count of homeless individuals in the region found that the homeless population in Arlington is continuing to fall. According to numbers from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, there were 221 people experiencing homelessness in Arlington during the count this year. That’s down from 232 last year and 479 in 2013, but up from 174 in 2016. [MWCOG]
ACPD Using Robocalls to Catch Serial Flasher — Arlington County Police are using automated phone calls to ask residents for tips about the man wanted for repeated indecent exposure incidents in the Rosslyn, Courthouse and Ft. Myer Heights areas. [WJLA]
Twitter User Battles Shopping Carts — Like @CartsOfPCArl before it, @CartChaos22202 is fighting a lonely war against stray, abandoned shopping carts in Pentagon City and Crystal City. [Twitter]
Arlington County Police will soon spend less time handing out traffic tickets, investigating minor offenses and attending community events, as the department moves ahead with a major restructuring effort.
The department announced Tuesday that it plans to start re-allocating its resources on Sunday (May 13) in order to compensate for the county’s struggles in hiring enough officers.
Police Chief M. Jay Farr first revealed some of these restructuring plans in an internal memo this February, noting that the department was 50 officers short of the 370 it’s authorized to employ to maintain current service levels. In a video released by the department Tuesday to detail the coming changes, Farr stressed that county police are “not moving away from the core, fundamental agreements we have with the community” and won’t be making any cuts to services like 911 response or investigations of serious crimes.
Farr did say, however, that the department will likely need to divert some of its officers away from traffic enforcement efforts — including the investigation of traffic-related complaints from residents — and investigations of smaller crimes, such as larcenies, minor hit and runs and other misdemeanors.
“We are not abandoning how we police,” Farr said. “We’re trimming it for a while, and we intend to do this on a temporary basis.”
Farr stressed that each incident’s “solvability factor” will impact just how quickly the department pursues investigations of more minor offenses, with violent crimes taking priority. He added that his officers might not be able to devote quite as much time to avoiding arrests related to public drunkenness in neighborhoods like Clarendon, where police have generally favored preventing major disruptions over simply arresting every person they can.
“We want to maintain that contact with the community and we don’t want the arrests to be the solution, but that requires people,” Farr said. “It actually requires more effort in prevention work and coordinated efforts with our partners.”
Additionally, Farr plans to consolidate the department’s outreach efforts into a single “community resources section.” The department previously divided Arlington into three “districts,” with officers assigned to each one to address community concerns.
That means county officers will no longer attend regular meetings with each civic association throughout Arlington; rather, Farr says the department will organize quarterly meetings for communities in the northern and southern halves of the county, respectively. Farr is also calling off the department’s annual block party, and he plans to reduce the frequency of other outreach events like “Coffee with a Cop.”
“It’ll be a little less contact, a little less people,” Farr said.
Farr stressed that the department is “very aggressively” pursuing new recruits to ensure that these changes don’t become permanent — notably, the County Board recently agreed to increase police salaries in its new budget, following persistent complaints by the police union that pay rates in the county helped precipitate the current staffing squeeze.
But Farr also noted that the new hires will take time to train and get out on the streets, so he’s asking for patience as these changes take effect.
“We’re going to keep exploring this over the next few months,” Farr said. “We’re going to see where we go with it, we’re going to keep working on it.”
A man inside a medical office grabbed a woman from behind, “began to thrust against her” and refused to stop, according to an Arlington County Police Department crime report.
The incident happened Sunday morning at a “care center” on the 1700 block of N. George Mason Drive, police said. That is the same block as Virginia Hospital Center and a number of medical offices.
Security guards responded an detained the suspect until police arrived. A 26-year-old man was arrested and charged with sexual battery.
More from ACPD:
SEXUAL BATTERY, 2018-05060092, 1700 block of N. George Mason Drive. At approximately 9:57 a.m. on May 6, police were dispatched to the report of an assault that had just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined that while inside a care center, the male suspect approached the female victim from behind, grabbed her waist and began to thrust against her. The victim demanded the suspect to stop and when he refused, she dropped to the floor. Security then arrived on scene and detained the suspect until police arrived. Tebebe Tessema Makonnen, 26, of No Fixed Address was arrested and charged with Sexual Battery. He was held on no bond.
Update at 6 p.m. — ACPD says that the same suspect is believed to be responsible for at least nine separate indecent exposure incidents, all in the same general area.
“The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his 20’s or 30’s, 5’8″ to 5’10” tall with a medium build,” police said in an updated press release. “In several incidents, the suspect was reported to be wearing dark clothing with a hat or hood pulled tight around his face.”
Earlier: Two additional indecent exposure incidents were reported over the weekend and the suspect might be a repeat offender.
Like previous incidents, both happened in the Radnor-Fort Myer Heights neighborhood, near Rosslyn and Courthouse, and involved a suspect wearing a hoodie with the hood up.
The first was reported around 10:30 p.m. Sunday on the 1900 block of Clarendon Blvd, while the second was reported just before 11:30 p.m. Sunday on the 1200 block of N. Meade Street.
In the second instance, the man exposed himself and started masturbating in front of a woman in a parked car.
Asked yesterday if the cases might involve the same suspect, an Arlington County Police Department spokeswoman said both have been “referred to our Special Victims’ Unit for additional investigation and to determine if the cases are linked.”
The department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect.
More from an ACPD crime report:
INDECENT EXPOSURE, 2018-05060211, 1900 block of Clarendon Boulevard. At approximately 10:25 p.m. on May 6, police were dispatched to the report of a possible exposure. The witness described the individual as a possible black male wearing a dark hoodie. No additional information was provided by the witness regarding the incident. Upon arrival, officers established a perimeter and canvased the area with negative results. The investigation is ongoing.
INDECENT EXPOSURE, 2018-05060226, 1200 block of N. Meade Street. At approximately 11:20 p.m. on May 6, police were dispatched to the report of a possible exposure. Upon arrival, it was determined that the female victim was inside her parked vehicle when she observed an unknown male suspect approach her vehicle. Once in front of her vehicle, the suspect exposed himself and began masturbating. The victim then drove away. The suspect is described as a male, approximately 6’0″ tall and weighing 165 pounds. He was wearing a hoodie with the hood pulled tight around his face at the time of the incident. The investigation is ongoing.
Two additional indecent exposures were reported in the Radnor/Ft. Myer Heights area over the weekend. ACPD continues to follow-up on investigative leads and seeks the public's assistance identifying suspect. Additional info: https://t.co/1CpPg03W8xpic.twitter.com/SAFHxvHRHj
Family Wants to See Relative Shot By Police — The family of Steven Best, who was shot by police last week after allegedly trying to ram a police cruiser with a van, says they have not been allowed to see him nor have they been given information on his condition. [WJLA]
Legislative Threat Helped Country Club Tax Deal — “The decision by two Arlington country clubs to take their case to the General Assembly helped get all parties to come together on a deal more expeditiously than otherwise might have been the case, the Arlington government’s top legal official said,” reports the Sun Gazette. Arlington clubs, meanwhile, “came away with most of what they were seeking in assessment reductions.” [InsideNova, Washington Post]
Local Sixth Graders Make Headlines — A fourth-period, sixth-grade class at Gunston Middle School is the May Class of WaPo’s KidsPost. [Washington Post]
Marymount Employee’s Boston Marathon Journey — Katie Sprinkel, a lab coordinator and adjunct professor at Arlington’s Marymount University, overcame knee and leg injuries — and a battle with breast cancer — to finish this year’s Boston Marathon. She was back at work the next day. [Marymount University]
Arlington Among Top Walkable Places — Arlington is No. 9 on a list of the most walkable communities in the country. The list was compiled by the travel site Expedia. [Viewfinder]
Major Metro Work Starting Next Summer — “There will be no service on Metro’s Blue and Yellow lines south of Reagan National Airport for 98 days beginning in May 2019, as the transit agency embarks on a platform rebuilding project spanning six stations, part of an effort to refurbish 20 station platforms over three years.” Arlington’s East Falls Church Metro station is also on the list of platforms to be rebuilt. [Washington Post, WMATA]
Two people are wanted by Arlington County Police after a fracas at a Clarendon restaurant early Sunday morning.
Police say the incident started after 2 a.m. when a customer “became irate over the quality of service provided by the business,” then went behind a service counter and struck an employee in the head. A second suspect struck an employee who came to the aid of the first, according to police.
Officers on the Clarendon bar detail responded on foot to the scene after observing “a large crowd and loud noise inside a business.”
The police department generally does not release the name of the business in which a crime takes place, and a police spokeswoman would only describe the business as a restaurant located on the 3100 block of Clarendon Blvd. Restaurants on that block include Mister Days, Bronx Pizza, Bar Bao and Pamplona.
More from an ACPD crime report:
ASSAULT & BATTERY (Significant), 2018-05060044, 3100 block of Clarendon Boulevard. At approximately 2:21 a.m. on May 6, officers assigned to the Clarendon Detail observed a large crowd and loud noise inside a business. Upon investigation, it was determined that a customer became irate over the quality of service provided by the business and went behind the service counter. After being escorted back to the customer area, the suspect returned to the area behind the counter and struck one employee in the head. Additional employees came to the aid of the victim, resulting in a physical altercation and a second suspect then struck an aiding employee in the neck. Warrants for Assault and Battery and Disorderly Conduct were issued for the two suspects.
Map of police-involved shooting location (via Google Maps)
Police involved shooting scene (image capture via NBC 4)
Jessica Lary (photo courtesy ACPD)
Police involved shooting scene (image capture via NBC 4)
Police involved shooting scene (image capture via NBC 4)
Update at 2:05 p.m. — The police department just issued a press release about the shooting.
At approximately 8:11 p.m. on May 3, 2018, Arlington County Police officers conducting surveillance in the area of 12th Street S. and S. Edgewood Street attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by a male driver and a female passenger with outstanding warrants for probation violation. When officers approached the vehicle on foot, the male suspect ignored their verbal commands and struck police vehicles in an attempt to flee the scene. At that time, shots were fired by two officers, injuring the male driver.
Following the shooting, the suspects fled the scene by vehicle. While fleeing, the suspect vehicle struck and damaged a parked vehicle in the 2800 block of 12th Street S. Arriving officers established a perimeter and located the unoccupied suspect vehicle in the area of 13th Street S. at S. Irving Street. During a canvas, officers located the male suspect hiding underneath a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers performed life saving measures before Arlington County Fire Department medics arrived on scene and transported the male suspect to Inova Fairfax Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. Steven Best, 51, of No Fixed Address was arrested and charged with three counts of Attempted Malicious Wounding of Law Enforcement Officer.
Officers observed the female suspect hiding behind a bush in the 3200 block of 13th Street S. Officers provided lawful commands to the suspect and when she refused to comply, a K9 was deployed. The female suspect was then taken into police custody. She was transported to Virginia Hospital Center with minor injuries. Jessica Lary, 40, of Annandale, VA was held in the Arlington County Detention Facility on no bond for the outstanding warrants.
Three Arlington County Police officers were transported to Virginia Hospital Center for evaluation.
This is an ongoing and active investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective J. Trainer of the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4185 or [email protected]. Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
Earlier: Arlington County Police are on scene of an officer-involved shooting a block from Columbia Pike.
The shooting was first reported around 8:30 p.m.
Police say the incident started at the intersection of 11th Street S. and S. Edgewood Street, near the Rite Aid pharmacy, when officers tried to pull over a vehicle with a man and a wanted female suspect inside.
The suspect vehicle did not stop and subsequently struck a police car, said ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage. That is when the shooting happened.
“During the incident officers discharged weapons,” Savage said.
The man was shot and transported to the hospital in critical condition, according to Savage, while the female suspect was apprehended and also taken to a local hospital for an as-yet undisclosed “minor” injury.
Initial scanner reports suggest that at least one person had been shot multiple times in the stomach, while another person suffered a dog bite. Medics were initially dispatched to the intersection of 13th and S. Irving street.
At least two police officers were also taken to a local hospital for evaluation, though their injuries were not reported to be serious.
Television news footage showed a white cargo van, identified as a the suspect vehicle, being towed from the scene.
Savage described the current scene as an “active and fluid investigation” and said that investigators will be in the area “for a significant period of time.” Edgewood Street near the Rite Aid is currently closed.
It is unclear at this point how many shots were fired, where exactly the shots were fired nor what the female suspect was wanted for.
POLICE ACTIVITY: ACPD is investigating an officer-involved shooting at 11th Street S. at S. Edgewood Street. Two suspects have been transported to area hospitals. There are no outstanding suspects. ACPD remains on scene investigating.
A man threatened employees in a Pentagon City store on Wednesday before taking off with cash.
Police were called to the store in the 1500 block of S. Fern Street just before 8:30 p.m. for a report of a disorderly person inside. Upon arriving, they learned that the suspect became angry after a verbal dispute, then threatened employees with a bottle and demanded money.
The suspect reportedly stole cash from the register and other items before taking off. Police were unable to find him.
More from this week’s Arlington County Police Department crime report:
ROBBERY, 2018-05010255, 1500 block of S. Fern Street. At approximately 8:23 p.m. on May 1, police were dispatched to the report of a disorderly subject inside a business. Upon arrival, it was determined that following a verbal dispute, the suspect became irate, threatened the employees with a bottle and demanded money. The suspect then went behind the counter and stole cash from the cash register and other items of value. The suspect fled prior to police arrival. A lookout was broadcast and arriving officers canvased the area with negative results. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 25 years old, approximately 5’4″ and 145 lbs, with a thin build and short black dread locks, wearing a black, red and white baseball hat, a white hooded sweatshirt with dark writing on it, and acid washed light blue jeans.
More highlights from this week’s crime report, including some that we’ve already reported, after the jump.
(Updated at 8:05 p.m.) The Arlington County Police Department is asking for tips from the public to identify a man they say has repeatedly exposed himself in the Radnor-Ft. Myer Heights neighborhood, near Courthouse and Clarendon.
The suspect is reported to have approached several victims while exposing himself.
Police describe the suspect as a Hispanic male in his 20s or 30s, standing at 5’8″ to 5’10” tall with a medium build. The suspect, during several incidents, reportedly wore “dark clothing with a hat or hood pulled tight around his face.”
ACPD is seeking the public's assistance identifying a suspect involved in a series of indecent exposures. Since January, police have investigated 5 reports of an unknown male suspect approaching victims walking in the area while exposing himself. Details: https://t.co/1CpPg03W8xpic.twitter.com/5zJqRWBELK
Police have linked five separate indecent exposure incidents on four different days to the same suspect “based on witness interviews and evidence collected.”
The incidents, according to police, occurred at the follow dates, times and locations:
January 26, 2018, 10:35 p.m., N. Rolfe Street at 16th Street N.
February 9, 2018, 9:48 p.m., 1800 block of 16th Street N.
February 13, 2018, 11:00 p.m., 2700 block of Clarendon Boulevard
March 3, 2018, 11:58 p.m., 16th Street N. at N. Rhodes Street
March 3, 2018, 11:35 p.m., 1900 block of Clarendon Boulevard
The incidents all occurred within approximately a mile of one another, more or less along Clarendon Boulevard. Other indecent exposure incidents have been reported nearby in recentweeks, but were not included in the ACPD press release. However, a police spokesperson tells ARLnow that detectives’ preliminary investigation leads them to believe these two most recent incidents will also end up being included in the same case based on the location and suspect description.
The individual involved in these incidents travels by foot and appears to remain in the same area. At this time, the investigation has not revealed a link between these cases and the April 12 incident.
The Arlington County Police Department is sharing these crime prevention tips to help keep you safe as you travel in the area. Remain alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. Whenever possible, walk with another person and stay in well-lit, high traffic areas. Limit your use of devices that may distract you or impede your vision or hearing. If you see something suspicious or are the victim of a crime, contact the Emergency Communications Center as soon as possible by calling 703-558-2222 or 9-1-1 in an emergency.
If anyone has information on the identity of this individual or details surrounding these incidents, please contact Detective J. Echenique of the Arlington County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit at [email protected]. To report information anonymously, contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866.411.TIPS (8477).
I-66 Toll Tweaks Coming — The Virginia Department of Transportation will tweak the algorithm it uses to calculate tolls in the I-66 express lanes, which possibly could lead to lower tolls, although VDOT doesn’t guarantee lower tolls in the long run. The high tolls caused outrage among drivers when they were first instated in December and drew national attention, although transportation officials contend they work as intended with deterring single-passenger vehicle trips. [WTOP]
Three Questions with Del. Lopez — Del. Alfonso Lopez offers some short responses to questions about his accomplishments and challenges facing Arlington. [Arlington Magazine]
Substance Use Town Hall — Arlington County will hold a town hall on substance use tonight at Kenmore Middle School (200 S. Carlin Springs Road) from 7-9 p.m. Panelists including police, school and human services officials, and the discussion will be moderated by Kimberly Suiters from ABC 7. A resource fair will immediately precede and follow the town hall. [Arlington County]
New Monument for the Old Guard — “A special ceremony [took] place in Arlington, Virginia Tuesday to honor more than 230 years of service by the Third U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard. Soldiers, veterans and leaders from across the Army will gather for the unveiling of The Old Guard Monument at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.” [Fox 5]
Streetlight Demonstration Tonight — County staff will hold an LED streetlight field demonstration bus tour tonight for residents to see and learn more about the products under consideration in the Streetlight Management Plan. The bus leaves at 8 p.m. from the Arlington Career Center (816 S. Walter Reed Drive). Registration is required. [Arlington County]
Traffic Enforcement Time Adjusted — According to an updated press release sent this morning, the all modal traffic enforcement scheduled for tomorrow at the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Oakland Street will now be from 1-2:30 p.m.
The pedestrian struck by a vehicle on Columbia Pike Monday morning died from his injuries, Arlington County Police said Tuesday afternoon.
Police are still investigating the crash, according to ACPD. The victim has been identified as 44-year-old Arlington resident Jay Thoman.
More from a press release:
The Arlington County Police Department is investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred on Monday, April 30 at the intersection of Columbia Pike at S. Queen Street. At approximately 7:08 a.m., police responded to the area for the report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Members of the Crash Reconstruction Team responded to the scene and are conducting an ongoing and active investigation.
The driver of the striking vehicle remained on scene. The victim was transported to George Washington University Hospital where he was subsequently pronounced deceased.
The identity of the pedestrian is being withheld pending proper identification.
Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to contact Detective Johnson at [email protected] or 703-228-4193. To report information anonymously, contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866.411.TIPS (8477).
