police

DEVELOPING: Police Respond To Possible Barricade Situation on Wilson Blvd

By Chris Teale
1/5

Updated 4:20 p.m. — Arlington police spokeswoman Ashley Savage said just after 4 p.m. that the suspect had been safely taken into custody.

Earlier: Arlington police responded to the Patrick Henry Apartments on Wilson Blvd Tuesday afternoon, closing roads and bringing in the SWAT team for a possible barricade situation involving a wanted suspect.

Department spokeswoman Ashley Savage said Arlington officers were called in at 12:30 p.m. April 5 to assist their Fairfax County counterparts serving an arrest warrant at 6172 Wilson Blvd, near Upton Hill Regional Park.

Police closed Patrick Henry Drive and had officers posted in cruisers blocking the entrance to the apartment complex. Meanwhile, SWAT officers carrying rifles patrolled the perimeter of a building and the department’s armored vehicle was on scene.

Savage said the SWAT team was called in out of an “abundance of caution,” given the highly populated apartment complexes in the area and to ensure the safety of children getting off school buses. She said that despite the heavy police presence, the arrest warrant was a “routine” serving and that there is no threat to the public.

As of 3:35 p.m., officers had still not been able to make contact with the wanted individual, according to scanner traffic, and pedestrian and school bus traffic was being rerouted in certain areas.

Police: Man Flips Out in Restaurant, Assaults Officers and Bites Medic

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 11:30 a.m.) A Maryland man has been arrested and charged with half a dozen counts of assaulting police officers and medical personnel.

Police were called to a restaurant on the 4700 block of Lee Highway last night just before 10 p.m. for a “report of a disorderly subject.” The name of the restaurant was not released, but Metro 29 Diner, Thirsty Bernie and Cowboy Cafe are located on or near that block of Lee Highway.

The suspect then became combative and assaulted five police officers and bit the finger of a paramedic while in custody, according to police.

More from an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

ASSAULT & BATTERY ON POLICE, 2017-04030296, 4700 block of Lee Highway. At approximately 9:52 p.m. on April 3, police were dispatched to the report of a disorderly subject inside a restaurant. The responding officers escorted the subject outside and as they were conducting the investigation, he allegedly became combative and assaulted multiple officers. Once in custody, the subject bit the finger of an Arlington County Fire Department Medic attempting to evaluate him for injuries. Jorge Luis Quintero-Amaya, 28, of Temple Hills, MD was arrested and charged with Assault & Battery on Law Enforcement (x5), Assault on Medical Personnel, Resisting Arrest, Obstruction of Justice and Failure to ID. He was held on no bond.

More Than 200 Vehicle Break-Ins So Far This Year in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 10 a.m.) Despite some recent arrests, more than 200 vehicles have been broken into so far this year in Arlington, and the criminals do not appear to be slowing down.

According to Arlington police, there were 209 “larceny from auto” reports taken from Jan. 1 to April 3. Most of those crimes were likely preventable, requiring only that the owner of the vehicle lock their doors.

“The majority of our thefts from vehicles are from unlocked cars,” said Arlington County Police Department spokeswoman Ashley Savage. “Our investigations and witness accounts reveal that in the majority of cases, suspect(s) are seen walking up a street and trying door handles. They enter a vehicle that opens and bypass a vehicle that does not.”

“Locking your vehicle’s doors and removing valuables increases the likelihood that the suspect(s) will move on,” Savage added.

The latest series of car break-ins was reported in Fairlington yesterday morning. Officers located eight vehicles that had been entered and rummaged through.

“At approximately 8:05 a.m., police responded to the 4700 block of 30th Street S. for the report of items thrown about the ground,” Savage said. “The initial investigation suggests that the vehicles were unlocked. The investigation is ongoing.”

In addition to the public service announcement flyer above, ACPD has also issued the following tips for residents.

1. No matter if you park on a public street, in a driveway or garage take all valuables out of your vehicle. This includes keys, key fobs, purses, cash, credit cards and electronics. Don’t forget the valet key that comes with some vehicles.

2. Lock your doors and pull on the door handle to verify it’s locked. If a thief can get into a vehicle, they can also have access to a garage door opener and can gain access to your home. Always ensure the door between your garage and home is locked.

3. Call police if you see people looking into vehicles. The telltale sign that this has occurred in your neighborhood are open doors with the interior dome lights on. If you don’t see the perpetrator(s) but suspect some vehicles have been entered, call the non-emergency number at 703-558-2222. If you see a suspect in your vehicle, DO NOT APPROACH THEM and call 911 immediately.

Two Arrested for EFC Vehicle Break-Ins

By ARLnow.com

An alert resident and some quick police work led to the arrest of two men suspected of breaking into cars in the East Falls Church area early Friday morning.

Police said the men, both of whom are in their 20s and from Maryland, “entered and rummaged through” a dozen vehicles, stealing a number of items including credit cards.

More from an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

LARCENY FROM AUTO (Series), 2017-03310502, 2200 block of N. Tuckahoe Street. At approximately 1:46 a.m. on March 31, police were dispatched to a citizen report of suspicious subjects in the area. Responding officers established a perimeter and stopped two subjects matching the witness descriptions. During the course of the investigation, officers located approximately twelve vehicles which has been entered and rummaged through. Randolph Tyler, 27, of Temple Hills, MD was arrested and charged with credit card theft (x2), possession of burglarious tools, tampering with a motor vehicle (x4), petit larceny (x2), identity theft to avoid arrest and possession of marijuana. He was held on no bond. David Moody, 26, of Morning Side, MD, was arrested and charged with credit card theft (x2), possession of burglarious tools, petit larceny, and tampering with a motor vehicle (x4). He was held on no bond.

Meanwhile, another series of break-ins was reported Monday morning, this time in the Fairlington area. Officers said the suspects entered at least three cars that were left unlocked overnight.

These two series of break-ins follows a number of similar break-in sprees since the beginning of the year.

Car Flips After Collision Near Williamsburg Middle School

By Chris Teale
1/6

A car flipped over after a collision near Williamsburg Middle School on Wednesday afternoon.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Williamsburg Boulevard and N. Harrison Street around 4 p.m.

A police officer at the scene said the driver of a Toyota Prius misjudged the speed of oncoming traffic while trying to turn left on a green signal. The car then collided with an oncoming black Toyota, which spun and flipped.

The white Prius sustained major damage to its front and had several pieces ripped off by the impact, but the driver was able to drive it to the side of the road under direction from police officers on the scene.

The officer said that there were minor injuries to the drivers. Police set up traffic cones around the scene and temporarily stopped traffic. The stoppage lasted for a short period, then cars were able to proceed slowly around the crash site.

A nearby resident who declined to be identified said he heard a loud bang, then saw the black car skid for approximately 15 or 20 yards before flipping over.

The crash took place while some students were leaving the school, and the resident said Williamsburg crossing guards were immediately on the scene to keep the children safe, including one from outside the school.

“If I want anyone on my team, I’d want that crossing guard,” the resident said.

DEVELOPING: Bus Crashes into Pentagon City Apartment Building

By ARLnow.com
1/3

(Updated at 9:35 a.m.) A PRTC commuter bus smashed into the side of the Lenox Club apartment building in Pentagon City Wednesday evening.

The crash happened just before 6 p.m., along 12th Street S. The bus, which was not carrying passengers at the time, hopped the curb, struck the front of a convertible and ran into a storefront on the side of the building.

Three people were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage. Among those injured were the bus driver, a pedestrian and one person who was inside the building, Savage said.

Structural engineers have been called to inspect the base of the high-rise building, which remained open for residents. 12th Street S. between Army Navy Drive and S. Eads Street remains closed while police investigate the crash.

No word yet on whether the driver will face any charges.

https://twitter.com/LincolnACFD/status/847217796278833156

https://twitter.com/josh13x/status/847244998789677056

https://twitter.com/TiffAnn_89/status/847255135071780867

Photos (top) courtesy Sid, @josh13x

UPDATED: Missing Teen Found

By ARLnow.com

Update at 4:40 p.m. — The missing teen has been found, according to police.

Earlier: The Arlington County Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a missing Wakefield High School student.

Police say a 14-year-old student hasn’t been seen since Tuesday morning, when he was dropped off at the school.

“He is described as a white Hispanic/Native American with short black hair and brown eyes, approximately 5’5″ tall and weighs 120 lbs,” according to a police press release. “Police believe he may be in the area of Union Station in Washington D.C.”

The press release continues: “Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mr. Johnson is asked to contact SRO Queen at 703-228-6708 or [email protected] or Detective R. Icolari at 703-228-4240 or [email protected].”

Crime Report: Man Arrested for Impersonating Police After Maintenance Dispute

By ARLnow.com

For the second time this month, a man has been arrested after a dispute about letting maintenance workers inside his apartment.

The latest incident happened around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday on the 900 block of S. Dinwiddie Street, near the Arlington Mill Community Center along Columbia Pike.

Police say a resident refused to let a worker performing emergency maintenance work into his apartment Tuesday morning, then confronted management that afternoon while wearing a ballistic vest and claiming to be a law enforcement officer, prompting a call to police.

“During the investigation, the suspect allegedly made statements falsely identifying himself as a federal law enforcement officer,” said an Arlington County Police Department crime report. “Gary Murray, Jr., 29, of Arlington, VA was arrested and charged with two counts of falsely identifying himself as law enforcement.”

An Arlington resident by the same name is identified as an armed security guard on LinkedIn.

More from this week’s ACPD crime report:

IMPERSONATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, 2017-03280173, 900 block of S. Dinwiddie Street. At approximately 8:06 a.m. on March 28, police were dispatched to the report of a maintenance worker attempting to conduct emergency work inside a residence and the resident refusing entry. The officers cleared the scene after the investigation determined no crime had occurred. At approximately 3:37 p.m., police were dispatched to the same location for the report of a dispute between a building maintenance worker and a resident wearing a firearm. Building management advised that after officers cleared the initial call for service, the resident confronted management while wearing a ballistic vest and alleged he was the sergeant of the responding officers. As officers were investigating the second call for service, they observed the suspect in a vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. During the investigation, the suspect allegedly made statements falsely identifying himself as a federal law enforcement officer. Gary Murray, Jr., 29, of Arlington, VA was arrested and charged with two counts of falsely identifying himself as law enforcement. He was held on $3,000.00 bond.

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

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DEVELOPING: Police Investigate Shots Fired Call on N. Adams Street

By Chris Teale
1/5

(Updated 4:55 p.m.) A man has been found dead inside a residence on N. Adams Street where police were investigating a shots fired called.

There is no threat to the public, according to Arlington County Police, and the investigation is ongoing.

Police said sheriff’s deputies were serving an eviction notice when they heard a single gunshot.

Officers responded to reports of gunshots being heard on the 2000 block of N. Adams Street, near the Lyon Village neighborhood, around noon Tuesday.

Department spokeswoman Ashley Savage said police were trying to determine whether shots were fired from inside the building.

A local resident reported seeing nearly a dozen police cars at the nearby intersection with Lee Highway.

According to scanner traffic, police were joined in the investigation by sheriff’s deputies, and were searching inside the apartment building as well as around its perimeter. Other officers were directing vehicles around the scene and pedestrians going in and out of the building lobby.

ACPD Making Spring Bike Safety Push

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County Police will be stepping up its traffic enforcement and public enforcement efforts, starting today, to try to improve bicycle safety.

The Safe Bicycling Initiative will run from Monday, March 27 through Tuesday, April 4. It will “begin by educating motorists and bicyclists on traffic laws that apply to cycling with the goal of reducing crashes.”

More from an ACPD press release:

With the arrival of spring and warm weather comes an increase in bicyclist traffic. The Arlington County Police Department, in partnership with BikeArlington, is conducting the spring Safe Bicycling Initiative (SBI) in an ongoing effort to make Arlington County a safe place to ride a bicycle. The initiative will begin by educating motorists and bicyclists on traffic laws that apply to cycling with the goal of reducing crashes. Once motorists and bicyclists understand the law and their roles and responsibilities, it is easier for each to share our roadways.

From March 27 thru April 4, officers will be paying particular attention to individuals on bikes as well as the way motorists interact with them. By changing the behavior of motorists and bicyclists through education and enforcement of existing traffic laws, our roadways will be safer for everyone.

This initiative is part of Arlington County Police Department’s overall traffic safety program. Throughout the year, officers conduct education and enforcement campaigns to ensure the safety of all travelers.  Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians are reminded to pay attention to one another and always proceed with caution and care for each other’s safety.

Public Fornication Leads to Police Altercation

By ARLnow.com

Rosslyn Highlands park (photo via Arlington County)Two people have been arrested after police interrupted their very public lovemaking in Rosslyn.

The incident happened behind Fire Station 10, in Rosslyn Highlands Park, according to scanner traffic.

“At approximately 3:32 p.m. on March 22, officers were dispatched to the report of two subjects allegedly engaged in sexual activity in public view,” Arlington County Police said in a crime report. “As officers were conducting the investigation, the female subject charged at the officer and struck him repeatedly.”

“Nicole Faircloth, 42, of No Fixed Address was arrested and charged with assault and battery on police and performing a sexual act in a public place,” the crime report continued. “Petko Ubiparipovic, 42, of No Fixed Address, was arrested and charged with performing a sexual act in a public place. Both were held on bond.”

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