police

D.C. Man Gets Jail Time for Riding ATV in Arlington

By Chris Teale

A D.C. man received a four-year jail sentence after being in a group that rode dozens of dirt bikes and ATVs through Arlington in April.

Stephon Williams, 24, pleaded “nolo contendre” to a charge of felony eluding in Arlington County Circuit Court today, meaning he accepted a conviction as though a guilty plea had been entered but did not contest the charge.

Williams received a sentence of four years, with all but 105 days suspended for three years after his release, meaning he has served his time but this sentence will be taken into account if he offends again. He will also be on supervised probation for three years.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo Stamos said in exchange for his “nolo contendre” plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the charge of wearing a mask in public.

According to a statement of facts submitted by prosecutors, a group of between 25 and 50 drove on Arlington Blvd and Washington Blvd, near the Pentagon and Pentagon City, then on U.S. Route 1 south into Alexandria on April 9 around 7 p.m.

An officer from the Arlington County Police Department watched the group run through 10 red lights, fail to stop at two stop signs, cross solid double yellow lines multiple times and perform “numerous wheelies.”

Prosecutors said Williams filmed police on his phone as he was riding, but dropped his phone. An officer stopped his police cruiser and retrieved it. Williams was also wearing a GPS ankle bracelet, as he was being monitored by D.C.’s Pretrial Services for an unrelated offense.

A search warrant on the phone, GPS records and cell tower records confirmed Williams travelled the route taken by the group of riders.

Police, Fire Training Exercise Will Close Part of George Mason Drive

By Chris Teale

A planned joint training exercise by the Arlington County police and fire departments will close a busy street in the Alcova Heights neighborhood tomorrow.

From approximately 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the northbound lanes of S. George Mason Drive will be closed between Columbia Pike and Arlington Blvd (Route 50) to accommodate the exercise.

“Realistic training is critical to enhancing the police department’s capabilities to serve and protect the community to the best of our ability,” organizers wrote. “Those traveling in the area can expect to see an increase in public safety presence but are reminded that this is a training exercise only.”

Knives Come Out Following Parking Space Dispute

By ARLnow.com

A dispute over a parking space led to a man and woman brandishing knives and making threats, according to police.

The incident happened Saturday night in the Aurora Highlands neighborhood. Police say the victim was waiting for a parking space to open up when the suspects “pulled around him and parked in the space.”

“Following a verbal dispute, the two suspects left the area and returned, each brandishing a knife,” Arlington County Police said in a crime report. “The suspects made threats but no one was injured.”

The full crime report item is below.

ATTEMPTED MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2017-10210274, 2700 block of S. Fern Street. At approximately 10:08 p.m. on October 21, police were dispatched to the report of an Attempted Malicious Wounding. Upon arrival it was determined that the male victim was waiting for a parking space to become available when the suspects pulled around him and parked in the space. Following a verbal dispute, the two suspects left the area and returned, each brandishing a knife. The suspects made threats but no one was injured. The suspects then fled the scene on foot. Suspect 1 is described as a black female in her 20’s with curly hair. Suspect 2 is described as a black male in his 20’s wearing black sweatpants and a short-sleeved [t-shirt]. The investigation is ongoing.

Police: ‘Mob’ of Young Males Chased Victim, Dragged Him into Woods

By ARLnow.com

Police are investigating a frightening “assault by mob” incident that happened early Sunday near Campbell Elementary School.

Police say a male victim was walking along the 700 block of S. Carlin Springs Road, near the Fairfax County line, when more than a dozen young males “chased him before dragging him into the woods, where he was threatened at gunpoint.”

The motive for the alleged attack is unclear.

More from an Arlington County Police Department crime report, below.

ASSAULT BY MOB, 2017-10220037, 700 block of S. Carlin Springs Road. At approximately 2:18 a.m. on October 22, police were dispatched to the report of a large group of males chasing an individual across the roadway. The call was transferred from Fairfax County dispatch and arriving officers made contact with Fairfax County Police officers who were also dispatched to the area to investigate. The victim advised that while walking in the area, a large group of male suspects with weapons chased him before dragging him into the woods, where he was threatened at gunpoint. The victim was able to fight back and flee the scene. Officers canvassed the area with negative results. The group of male suspects is described as being approximately 13 young, Hispanic, white males, wearing either black or blue hooded sweatshirts. All of the suspects were described as approximately 5’6-5’8 in height with dark features. The investigation is ongoing.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Two Arlington Men Finish in MCM Top 3 — Arlington residents Desta Morkama and Kieran O’Connor finished first and third, respectively, in the 42nd Marine Corps Marathon yesterday. Al Richmond, the last remaining “Groundpounder” who has run every MCM since it started, kept his streak alive with a 6:48.35 finish. The race, which begins and ends in Arlington, had its start delayed by 10 minutes due to a suspicious package investigation. [RunWashington, Washington Post, NBC Washington]

No Major Incidents at MCM — Other than the short starting delay, no major incidents were reported at this year’s Marine Corps Marathon. Within the county, Arlington law enforcement and the fire department maintained a heavy presence along the course, along with Virginia State Police and other agencies. Arlington school buses were parked at key intersections to prevent anyone from driving onto the course. [Twitter, Facebook, Twitter]

Pedestrian Killed on Memorial Bridge — The Arlington Memorial Bridge was closed for more than three hours Saturday morning after a 47-year-old man was struck and killed by a car on the bridge. The driver remained on scene. Police are seeking additional information about the crash from witnesses. [NBC Washington]

Board Approves Library Renovation Project — Arlington Central Library will be getting $1.7 million in renovations, thanks in large part to a private donation. The Arlington County Board approved the project at its Saturday meeting. Per a press release, the plans include “new meeting rooms, an updated ‘tech-central’ area and a multi-purpose maker lab, a community-based space where people can share knowledge and tools to create together.” [Arlington County]

Roosevelt Memorial Anniversary Event — The National Park Service is holding a family-friendly event on Sunday, Oct. 29 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial on Roosevelt Island. The event will feature food including fried chicken and Indian pudding; an address from the former president’s great-grandson, Tweed Roosevelt; a Teddy Roosevelt re-enactor; and a “Teddy Bear story time.” Shuttles will be available from the Pentagon parking lot. [InsideNova]

Library to Launch New Digital Collection — “Arlington Public Library will launch a new digital collection of Arlington women and their achievements in March 2018. The Center for Local History’s (CLH) Community Archives contains many collections pertaining to women’s history and consequently the history of Arlington County.” [Arlington County]

ACPD Arrests Man Suspected of Lewd Conduct in View of Children

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County Police have arrested a man suspected of masturbating in public while staring at children.

The incident happened last Friday evening, just off Columbia Pike. Police say the 61-year-old man was watching children play at a playground, on the 900 block of S. Buchanan Street, while engaging in the lewd conduct.

“An unknown male suspect was observed masturbating behind a tree while watching children playing,” according to an ACPD crime report issued earlier this week. “The suspect fled on foot when approached by an adult in the area.”

Jose Sanchez, of no fixed address, has since been arrested and charged with masturbating in a public place, a police spokeswoman said today. He was held without bond.

Crime Report: Robbers Force Victim into Car in Buckingham

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County Police are investigating an unusual robbery in the Buckingham neighborhood.

A man called them early Monday to report that he had been robbed the night before. The alleged robbery happened as the man was arriving home along 4th Street N. around 2:45 a.m. Sunday.

The victim told police that two men approached him, forced him back into his car and had him drive them a short distance before robbing him of valuables and fleeing the scene, about an hour after the initial encounter.

“The investigation is ongoing,” police said in a crime report, below.

ROBBERY (late), 2017-10160006, 4300 block of 4th Street N. At approximately 12:32 a.m. on October 16, police responded to the late report of a robbery and abduction. Upon arrival, it was determined that a male victim was arriving home at approximately 2:45 a.m. on October 15 when he was approached by two male suspects. The suspects implied they had a weapon, forced him to his parked vehicle and had him drive a short distance. The suspects rummaged through the vehicle, stole the victim’s possessions and items of value and fled the area on foot between 3:30 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. The victim was uninjured. The suspects are described a male with medium skin tone, round glasses, a short buzz cut and dark, casual clothing and a male with dark skin tone, acne, a graphic black t-shirt, ripped jeans and short dreads. The investigation is ongoing.

The rest of this past week’s crime report highlights, including some that we’ve already reported, after the jump.

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Asphalt Spill Causes Slowdown on Lorcom Lane

By Chris Teale
1/4

A passing truck spilled asphalt onto Lorcom Lane in Cherrydale earlier this morning, prompting a cleanup and causing some delays.

According to scanner traffic, the truck dropped the asphalt just after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. Traffic slowed on Lorcom Lane’s eastbound lane at Nelly Custis Drive, near the Cherrydale United Methodist Church, as officers from the Arlington County Police Department cleared the debris onto a nearby sidewalk.

Police put flares out to alert drivers to the material in the road, but did not close any roads. Traffic continued to flow normally heading west.

By 10:15 a.m., police had cleared the asphalt from the street and removed the flares.

One Injured After Collision With Police SUV in Crystal City

By Chris Teale
1/4

A driver was transported to the hospital after colliding with a police cruiser in Crystal City this morning.

The collision happened near the intersection of 15th Street S. and Crystal Drive just after 9 a.m. A black Hyundai rear-ended the cruiser, with both vehicles suffering minor damage.

The driver of the Hyundai was transported to the hospital with a reported injury, possibly the result of the airbag in the car deploying, while the police officer driving the SUV was not hurt.

Police blocked the right lane of 15th Street S. to investigate, but traffic otherwise moved relatively freely.

ACPD Looking for Man Seen Committing Lewd Act in View of Children

By ARLnow.com

Police were called this past Friday for a report of a man masturbating in public while watching children.

The incident happened on S. Buchanan Street, just off Columbia Pike, around 6 p.m.

Police say the man fled on foot when confronted.

More from an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

SEX OFFENSE, 2017-10130223, 900 block of S. Buchanan Street. At approximately 6:03 p.m. on October 13, police were dispatched to the report of a male masturbating in public. Upon arrival, it was determined that an unknown male suspect was observed masturbating behind a tree while watching children playing. The suspect fled on foot when approached by an adult in the area. The suspect is described as a dark[-skinned] male in his 40’s wearing a navy blue hoodie, light washed jeans and a brown hat. The investigation is ongoing.

Police: Teens Busted for Drunken Powder Puff Football Game

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County Police broke up an alcohol-fueled “powder puff” football game at Jamestown Elementary School over the weekend.

ACPD says they responded to the school grounds around 1 p.m. Saturday “for a report of 20-30 teenagers drinking.”

Upon arrival, officers “encountered numerous teenagers playing a ‘Powder puff’ football game,” according to a post from a police lieutenant on the Nextdoor social network site. “Some members of the group fled when they saw police. One student was found heavily intoxicated and required medical assistance. A small group of juveniles was detained by police. ”

“Evidence of alcohol consumption was located at the scene,” the post said. “The police department will be working with county school administrators and parents to identify all involved juveniles and ensure service referrals and appropriate enforcement actions are completed.”

The lieutenant who posted the report said she “wanted to make all parents aware of [the] incident.”

File photo

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