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ACPD Investigating More Than a Dozen Car Break-Ins

Published February 9, 2017 at 1:30PM

Arlington County Police are investigating a series of more than a dozen car break-ins in the Old Glebe neighborhood of north Arlington.

The break-ins were reported this morning in the area of the 4600 block of 41st Street N.

“Overnight approximately 15 unsecure vehicles were entered and rummaged through for valuables,” said ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage. “At this point in the investigation, no significant items have been reported missing. Police remain on scene investigating and are canvassing the area.”

“If anyone has additional information regarding this investigation, they are asked to call the non-emergency number at 703-558-2222,” Savage added.

Photo via Google Maps

Crime Report: Woman Deliberately Strikes Man With Car

By ARLnow.com

Published February 8, 2017 at 11:15AM | Updated February 27, 2020 at 4:45PM

After an argument Sunday evening on Columbia Pike, a woman deliberately struck a man with her car.

That’s according to Arlington County Police Department crime report. The incident happened just before 7 p.m. in the area of the Arlington Mill Community Center and the Columbia Pike Plaza shopping center.

The woman and man knew each other, police said. He was hurt by the collision but is expected to be okay. Warrants were issued for the driver’s arrest.

From ACPD:

UNLAWFUL WOUNDING, 2017-02050199, 5000 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 6:50 p.m. on February 5, officers responded to the report of an assault and battery. Upon arrival it was determined that a male victim was standing outside a vehicle while talking to an occupant of that vehicle. Following a verbal dispute between two known individuals, the female driver accelerated causing the male victim to fall backwards and suffer non-life threatening injuries. The male victim was transported to Fairfax Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Warrants have been obtained. The investigation is ongoing.

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

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Bank Robbery Suspect Throws Bag of Cash Out Along Glebe Road

By ARLnow.com

Published February 6, 2017 at 9:45AM | Updated February 6, 2017 at 5:37PM

All lanes of S. Glebe Road have been temporarily shut down due to cash in the roadway.

A traffic camera shows police blocking the intersection of Glebe and S. Eads Street, and directing drivers to turn around.

Initial reports suggest there was a bank robbery in Alexandria and the robber — described as a white male wearing a black beanie cap — threw a bag of cash, which also contained a tracking device, out into the middle of Glebe Road.

Police are documenting the scene and trying to deal with cash that was reported to be “all over” the road.

Update at 9:50 a.m. — Police have collected the cash and the road closures are being lifted. Alexandria Police say the bank robbery happened on the 3700 block of Jefferson Davis Highway; that matches the address of a Navy Federal Credit Union location at Potomac Yard.

Update at 5:30 p.m. — Alexandria Police have released the following press release about the robbery.

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating the robbery of a Navy Federal Credit Union located at 3725 Jefferson Davis highway. On Monday, February 6, 2017, at 9:17 a.m., a man entered the bank and passed the teller a note demanding money. The teller complied and the suspect fled in a vehicle with an undisclosed amount of cash. There were no injuries.

The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 6’1″ to 6’3″ tall with a thin build. He was wearing a black coat, blue jeans, a black hat, and dark aviator-style sunglasses.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the identification, arrest, and conviction of these criminals.

Police ask that anyone with information about this incident call Detective Brad Cecchetti at 703.746.6858.

APD releases surveillance photos of suspect from Monday morning @NavyFederal bank robbery: https://t.co/ldjmKrbmuf pic.twitter.com/8NcTfcHQu6

— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) February 6, 2017

SUV Overturns in Two-Vehicle Crash Near Ballston

By ARLnow.com

Published February 3, 2017 at 12:15PM

Overturned SUV on N. Park Drive, Feb. 2017

A two-vehicle crash resulted in an SUV flipping on its roof this morning at the intersection of Carlin Springs Road and N. Park Drive, near Ballston.

The accident happened around 11 a.m.

The driver of the Toyota SUV was able to get out of the overturned vehicle before rescuers arrived on scene. No serious injuries were reported.

A second vehicle, a Volkswagen, suffered front end damage.

Police assisted with traffic control while a tow driver used a winch to flip over the SUV and get it on a flatbed. Park Drive was blocked for just over an hour following the wreck.

Police: Someone May Have Followed Students Near Washington-Lee High School

By Tim Regan

Published February 3, 2017 at 11:35AM | Updated February 3, 2017 at 12:09PM

(Updated at 12:10 p.m.) Arlington County Police are seeking one or more people who might have followed students near Washington-Lee High School on two recent occasions.

Police said one or more subjects appeared to follow students near the school on Jan. 31 and Feb. 2. Both incidents happened around 6 p.m.

Though authorities said no crime is believed to have occurred during the incidents, the department is looking to identify and speak with the person or people involved.

In the first instance, a person driving a red minivan appeared to follow a girl who was walking in the area of 15th Street N. at N. Stafford Street. “As she picked up her speed, the vehicle accelerated to match her pace,” police said. “The juvenile ran to a friend’s house and the subject proceeded to drive off in an unknown direction.”

Two days later, someone in a black sedan appeared to follow two middle schoolers as they walked near 13th Street N. at N. Nelson Street. When the car made a “sharp turn” and pulled into a driveway, blocking their path, the boys ran home and the driver sped off in an unknown direction.

Police described the person involved in both incidences as a “white male, mid-30’s with a short beard and dark hair.”

The full police press release is below:

The Arlington County Police Department is making the public aware of two instances of suspicious subject(s) appearing to follow students in the vicinity of Washington-Lee High School. At this time, no crime has occurred. The police department is investigating these incidents and would like to identify and speak with the subject(s) involved.

At approximately 6:02 p.m. on January 31, an 11-year-old female was walking in the area of 15^thStreet N. at N. Stafford Street when she noticed a red minivan keeping pace with her. As she picked up her speed, the vehicle accelerated to match her pace. The juvenile ran to a friend’s house and the subject proceeded to drive off in an unknown direction.

At approximately 6:00 p.m. on February 2, two middle school-aged male juveniles were walking in the area of 13^th Street N. at N. Nelson Street when they noticed a newer black sedan appearing to follow them. As they continued walking, the vehicle made a sharp turn and pulled into a driveway, blocking their path. The juveniles ran home and the subject proceeded to drive off in an unknown direction.

The subject involved in both incidences is described as a white male, mid-30’s with a short beard and dark hair.

The Arlington County Police Department is increasing patrols in the area. If anyone has information on the identity of the suspect, please contact the non-emergency number at 703.558.2222. In the case of an emergency, call 911. To report information anonymously, contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866.411.TIPS (8477).

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 3, 2017 at 9:15AM

High Water Bills Prompt Questions — A number of Arlington residents say their quarterly water bills for the summer and fall spiked to inconceivably high levels, in some cases in excess of $2,000. The county government, however, says no systemic billing issues have been found and blames the high bills on hot and dry weather combined with homeowners irrigating their yards. [InsideNova]

News Photog Saved By Arlington Medic — WUSA9 photographer Dion Wiggins suffered a massive heart attack while shooting video of traffic along I-395 last month. It was an Arlington County paramedic, Chris Abrahams, who together with firefighter Jason Griffith revived Wiggins from cardiac arrest, stabilized him and transported him to George Washington University Hospital. Wiggins is now back at home and on the road to recovery. [WUSA9]

ACPD: Don’t DUI After the Super Bowl — Super Bowl Sunday is two days away and the Arlington County Police Department is reminding residents to designate a driver for the big game. The Super Bowl is one of the biggest days of the year for DUI, with a third of all U.S. traffic deaths due to drunk drivers. [Arlington County]

D.C. Metro Work This Weekend — Major scheduled track work will close six downtown D.C. Metro stations along the Blue, Orange and Silver lines this weekend. The Blue and Orange lines will be split in two and the Silver line will end at Ballston. “Customers traveling between Virginia and DC are encouraged to use the Yellow Line, if possible,” Metro says. [WMATA]

Kudos for Sheriff’s Office — “The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded reaccreditation by the American Correctional Association Commission (ACA), whose standards are the national benchmark for the effective operation of correctional facilities in the United States.” [Arlington County]

WHS Swimmers in Regionals — “With three Wakefield swimmers heading off to regionals — the most in recent history — the Wakefield community is overflowing with enthusiasm and excitement in anticipation of a splashing victory.” [Wakefield Chieftain]

Obit: Mel Labat — Long-time Arlington tennis coach Mel Labat passed away last week. A memorial service will be held tomorrow (Saturday). A scholarship fund has been established, with the proceeds going to the Arlington Youth Tennis Program. [YMCA, Legacy]

Flickr pool photo by Alan Kotok

Masked Men Armed With Gun Rob Glebe Road Shop

By ARLnow.com

Published February 1, 2017 at 5:05PM

A store on S. Glebe Road, just south of Columbia Pike, was robbed Tuesday night.

Police say two masked men, one armed with a gun, entered a store on the 1600 block of S. Glebe Road around 7:30 p.m. and demanded cash from the register. They then fled on foot.

The stores on that block of Glebe include a market and deli, a vape and tobacco shop and a drycleaner.

Officers established a perimeter and brought in a police K-9 but were unable to locate the suspects.

“The first suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male in his thirties, approximately 6’0″ tall,” police said.” He was wearing a dark gray hoodie, black ski mask, jeans, and sneakers. The second suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male in his thirties, approximately 5’10” tall. He was wearing a light gray hoodie sweatshirt, black ski mask, and sneakers.”

No one was hurt during the robbery.

Photo via Google Maps

Crime Report: Shoplifter Bites Security Guard

By ARLnow.com

Published February 1, 2017 at 11:10AM | Updated February 27, 2020 at 4:45PM

A store security guard was bit while trying to stop a shoplifter last week.

The incident happened Wednesday afternoon on the 700 block of N. Glebe Road.

While the name of the store was not revealed by police, that’s the same block as the Macy’s at Ballston Common Mall.

More from an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2017-01250175, 700 block of N. Glebe Road. At approximately 1:19 p.m. on January 25, officers responded to the report of a shoplifter. A store employee attempted to stop a male suspect who was shoplifting, when a struggle ensued and the suspect bit the employee. The suspect then fled the scene without the merchandise. The suspect is described as a black male in his late twenties, approximately 5’8″-6’2″ tall and weighed 160-200 lbs. He was wearing blue jeans and a collared shirt at the time of the incident. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries and was treated on scene by medics. The investigation is ongoing.

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

(more…)

BREAKING: Arlington Man Charged With Murdering Roommate

By ARLnow.com

Published January 31, 2017 at 11:35AM | Updated January 31, 2017 at 5:46PM

(Updated at 5:45 p.m.) A 28-year-old Arlington man has been charged with murder after police say he killed his roommate during a fight.

The charges follow the death investigation yesterday on 7th Road S. in the Arlington Mill neighborhood. It is Arlington’s first reported homicide of 2017.

Police say Heber Amaya-Gallo killed 55-year-old Michael Wiggins after a “verbal altercation between roommates became physical” in an apartment. Amaya-Gallo has been charged with first degree murder and is being held without bond.

As pointed out in the comments section, Amaya-Gallo has been implicated in at least three other violent crimes in Arlington over the past seven years.

From an Arlington County Police Department press release:

Shortly after 2:00 p.m. on January 30, 2017, Arlington County Police officers were dispatched to the 5100 block of 7th Road S. for a death investigation. Arriving officers located 55-year-old Michael Wiggins of Arlington, VA deceased inside the residence. Three subjects were located on scene and transported to police headquarters where they were interviewed by detectives. Heber Amaya-Gallo, 28, of Arlington, VA was arrested and charged with first degree murder. He is being held in the Arlington County Detention Facility on no bond. The other two subjects were determined to be witnesses and have not been charged.

The investigation revealed that a verbal altercation between roommates became physical, resulting in the death of the victim. Official cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Detective S. Roeseler of the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4182 or [email protected]. Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

DEVELOPING: ‘Suspicious Death’ Investigation in Arlington Mill

By ARLnow.com

Published January 30, 2017 at 2:30PM | Updated January 31, 2017 at 11:41AM

Update at 11:40 a.m. — Police say the man’s death was a homicide. A suspect has been arrested and charged with first degree murder.

Earlier: Arlington County Police are investigating what they’re calling a “suspicious death” in an apartment building in the Arlington Mill neighborhood.

The body of a 55-year-old man was found in an apartment in one of the garden apartment buildings on 7th Road S. Two people have been detained by police for questioning, according to ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage.

Police are not yet confirming whether this is Arlington County’s first homicide of 2017. That determination will be made by a medical examiner, Savage said.

The apartments are located across from Tyrol Hill Park. School children were playing in the park while police were conducting their investigation Monday afternoon.

ACPD Continuing Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Details

By ARLnow.com

Published January 30, 2017 at 1:15PM | Updated January 30, 2017 at 2:23PM

(Updated at 2 p.m.) The Arlington County Police Department is continuing to conduct traffic enforcement details around the county — and is finding no shortage of drivers who don’t stop for pedestrians.

Last week police issued 21 traffic tickets in just one hour on Washington Blvd in Virginia Square, near where a teen girl was struck by the driver of an SUV in December.

The operation utilizes an undercover officer who crosses the street in a crosswalk.

“Using traffic data, drivers in this 30 MPH zone were given 150 feet to see the pedestrian and stop their vehicle,” the department explained in an Instagram post. “Our pedestrian always waits for a safe break in traffic and never enters in disregard of approaching vehicles.”

The enforcement detail was similar to a pair in the fall, along Columbia Pike and Lee Highway, that resulted in 35 citations.

“The pedestrian safety enforcement campaign is one piece of our overall effort of ensuring the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists and maintaining the safe and orderly flow of traffic in Arlington County,” ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage tells ARLnow.com

“Through this high visibility enforcement, the goal is compliance with failure to yield even when police are not present,” she continued. “No matter how you commute, there are ways we can all be street smart while sharing our roadways.”

Savage said ACPD’s Special Operations Section is conducting two details per month, one during the day and one during the evening.

The enforcement campaign started to ramp up in early 2016 after the police department saw Montgomery County, Md. police successfully implement a similar strategy, which was created by the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration.

Expect more enforcement in 2017, according to Savage.

“Additional officers are being trained and it is anticipated that the number of details each month will increase,” she said.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPsZ8AIAu5O/