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Police: Fight at Yorktown Involved Parents, Accusation of Racial Slurs

Published November 29, 2016 at 2:00PM

A fight between two students but also involving one student’s parents broke out Monday morning just outside of Yorktown High School.

Arlington County Police responded to the school just before 11:30 a.m. for a report of a fight involving students, adults and a large crowd. The situation was deemed to be under control shortly after officers arrived on scene.

ACPD on scene at Yorktown High School for a reported fight outside of the school. So far no injuries or active fighting reported.

— Arlington Now (@ARLnowDOTcom) November 28, 2016

But police say this was more than just a standard-issue fight between two students. It was the result of an “ongoing dispute” and it involved two parents of one of the students and allegations of racial slurs being used.

“The incident stemmed from an ongoing dispute between students at Yorktown High School,” said Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage. “There was a verbal altercation which turned physical when one juvenile subject struck the juvenile victim in the face. The victim did not require medical transport. At this time, there are no criminal charges but our School Resource Officer continues to work with the students, families and Yorktown High School administration regarding the incident.”

The parents “were involved in the dispute but not the physical fight, that was between two juvenile students,” Savage said, in response to an inquiry by ARLnow.com.

“There was alleged use of racial slurs during the verbal argument,” Savage added. “We have not been provided with any video of the incident.”

A post in a popular online message board for local mothers suggests that racial slurs were used by the student’s father, and that cell phone video of the fight exists, but the actual circumstances could not be confirmed by ARLnow.com, only the allegations.

Arlington Public Schools spokesman Frank Bellavia said school administration “is aware of the incident and is working with the families involved to address the situation.”

File photo

Alert Officer’s Traffic Stop Leads to Theft Arrests

By ARLnow.com

Published November 28, 2016 at 11:25AM

What started as a routine traffic stop for speeding led to the arrest of three Maryland residents for allegedly stealing items from cars.

Police say the officer noticed stolen items in plain sight in the car after pulling it over on the 2300 block of S. Kenmore Street, in the Nauck neighborhood, early Wednesday morning.

The three suspects are facing multiple charges for credit card theft and “trespass of a vehicle.”

From an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

LARCENY FROM AUTO (Series), 2016-1123021, 2300 block of S. Kenmore Street. At approximately 2:30 a.m. on November 23, an officer on routine patrol conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling over the posted speed limit. In plain sight, officers located property allegedly stolen during a recent larceny from auto. Bizana Zo’ongola-Belinga, 19, of Bowie MD was charged with credit card theft (x3), conspiracy to commit credit card theft, possession of marijuana and trespass of a vehicle. Chima Nnaka, 19, of Mitchellville MD was charged with credit card theft (x3), conspiracy to commit credit card theft and trespass of a vehicle. Matthew Bea, 23, of Bowie MD was charged with credit card theft (x3), conspiracy to commit credit card theft, possession of burglarious tools and trespass of a vehicle. All suspects were held on secured bonds.

UPDATING: Police Investigating Shooting in Buckingham

By ARLnow.com

Published November 26, 2016 at 12:50AM | Updated November 26, 2016 at 10:58AM

(Updated at 11 a.m.) Arlington County Police are investigating a shooting in the Buckingham neighborhood, near Ballston.

A man was shot in the leg during a dispute and was transported to the trauma center at George Washington University Hospital, according to police. The man’s injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

There were no suspects in custody as of Saturday morning.

The shooting happened just after 11 p.m. Friday, outside of an apartment building on the 4300 block 4th Street N. Police remained on scene overnight, investigating the crime.

Crime Report: Man Arrested for Stealing Packages from Apartment Mailroom

By ARLnow.com

Published November 23, 2016 at 11:00AM | Updated February 27, 2020 at 4:43PM

An 18-year-old Arlington man has been arrested and charged with stealing packages from an apartment mailroom in the Courthouse area.

The thefts were reported Monday afternoon.

From an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

BURGLARY, 2016-11210172, 2200 block of Fairfax Drive. At approximately 2:39 p.m. on November 21, officers responded to the report of a late burglary. A male suspect gained access to a mailroom inside of a secure building and opened several packages. Through the course of the investigation, officers were able to identify and arrest the suspect. Brayant Alberto Colin, 18, of Arlington VA, was charged with burglary and petit larceny.

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

(more…)

ACPD Issues Citations, Makes Arrest During Pike Pedestrian Enforcement

By ARLnow.com

Published November 22, 2016 at 2:30PM

The Arlington County Police Department issued 20 citations and made one arrest during its pedestrian safety enforcement detail on Columbia Pike this morning.

The enforcement was conducted on the Pike at S. Oakland Street from about 10 a.m. to noon.

According to ACPD, 17 drivers “were stopped and issued a summons for failure to yield to the pedestrian,” while two were issued citations for not wearing a seatbelt and another was cited for not having a driver’s license.

One person stopped by officers was wanted for failing to appear in court for not having a driver’s license. That person was taken into custody, said ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage.

The department conducted a similar enforcement detail last week on Lee Highway at N. Edison Street and issued 15 citations for failure to yield, Savage said.

Via Twitter:

Officers enforcing failure to yield to pedestrians at the intersection of Columbia Pike at Oakland. #BeStreetSmart pic.twitter.com/wgMC0YHbzI

— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) November 22, 2016

Drivers, watch your speed and be prepared to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk. #BeStreetSmart pic.twitter.com/pzkcobA1od

— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) November 22, 2016

Photo (top) courtesy ACPD

Dry Cleaner Cleaned Out By Armed Robber in Aurora Highlands

By ARLnow.com

Published November 21, 2016 at 11:50AM

An armed robbery was reported Saturday afternoon in the Aurora Highlands neighborhood near Crystal City.

Police say a man entered a dry cleaning business on the 700 block of 23rd Street S. just after 2 p.m. The suspect brandished a gun, demanded money and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The man then drove off in “newer model four-door sedan.”

The suspect is described as a 6’2″ black male, 250-270 lbs, in his 30s or 40s, according to Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage.

From an ACPD crime report:

ROBBERY, 2016-11190173, 700 block of S. 23rd Street. At approximately 2:12 p.m. on November 19, an unknown male subject entered a business, brandished a firearm, and demanded money from the employee. The subject fled the scene in a nearby vehicle with an undisclosed amount of cash. The investigation is ongoing.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published November 18, 2016 at 9:05AM | Updated June 29, 2018 at 11:10AM

ACFD Battles Fire in Fairlington — Firefighters from Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax together helped to battle a kitchen fire in a Fairlington condominium this morning, preventing it from spreading further. S. Abingdon Street near Abingdon Elementary was blocked for part of the morning as a result of the emergency response. [Twitter, Twitter]

ACPD Cracks Down on Fake IDs — An Arlington County Police Department campaign to crack down on fake IDs, in partnership with Clarendon bars, has netted more than 450 fakes since May. At one point this summer, according to a manager, Don Tito collected about 20 fake IDs per week. [WJLA]

Metro Pulls 4000 Series Cars — Metro has removed all 4000-series railcars from service to due safety concerns. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said he asked the agency to prioritize 8-car train service on the Blue Line while the railcars are out of service. Metro’s general manager “assured me there’d be very little impact to BL riders,” Beyer tweeted. [WMATA, Twitter]

Sietsema Lauds Ambar — Ambar’s new Clarendon outpost not only lured the Washington Post’s Tom Sietsema west of the Potomac River, but it received 2.5 out of 3 stars from the restaurant critic. Sietsema’s main gripe: too much noise. “Surely the same folks who dispense so much good will and satisfying food can solve a problem like disquiet,” Sietsema wrote. [Washington Post]

Post Profiles Old Dominion Neighborhood — The Washington Post’s continued anthropological study of Arlington’s neighborhoods in the real estate section has this week brought it to the Old Dominion community. A pair of recent homebuyers said they liked that Old Dominion “had a neighborhood feel and was also walkable.” [Washington Post]

Big Wins for Arlington at NAIOP Awards — Arlington County fared well at the 2016 NAIOP Northern Virginia commercial real estate awards on Wednesday. Among the local projects being recognized were the Bartlett in Pentagon City, WeWork/WeLive in Crystal City, Arlington’s Dept. of Human Services building along Washington Blvd and Opower in Courthouse. [NAIOP]

Photo courtesy Peter Golkin

Police Called for Man Cursing Up a Storm in Lyon Park Gun Store

By ARLnow.com

Published November 17, 2016 at 3:50PM

Police were called Wednesday afternoon after a man with mental health issues walked into the Lyon Park gun store and started yelling obscenities.

The incident was reported around 2:20 p.m. at Nova Armory (2300 N. Pershing Drive).

The man left before police arrived. He was later found but was referred to county social services and not charged with a crime.

This was at least the second time police were called to the store this fall. In September police investigated a potential burglary at Nova Armory; no guns were taken during the break-in.

From an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

At approximately 2:19 PM on November 16, police were dispatched to the 2300 block of N. Pershing Drive for the report of a male subject who entered the business yelling obscenities. The man had exited the business prior to police arrival but responding officers were able to identify and locate the man. After investigation, officers determined that no crime had occurred. The subject has a history of mental health issues and had been referred to county government services.

Suspect Sought in Bumbling Burglary Spree

By ARLnow.com

Published November 17, 2016 at 11:30AM

Arlington County Police are trying to find the man responsible for a series of four burglaries or attempted burglaries in the Long Branch Creek neighborhood, near Pentagon City.

A crime report (below) details the overnight burglary and break-in spree, during which the man accidentally woke up two residents while inside their homes and, at one point, apparently cut himself badly enough while trying to cut through a screen door that he left a blood trail.

The suspect did manage to steal “numerous items of value” in the process.

From an ACPD crime report:

BURGLARY(series), 2016-11160038, 1400 block of S. 28th Street. Between 3:15 a.m. and 3:20 a.m. on November 16, a male victim was awoken and discovered an unknown male subject inside his residence. The male victim confronted the suspect and the suspect fled the residence on foot causing the victim to contact police. Numerous items of value were reported stolen.

At approximately 3:23 a.m. on November 16, officers responded to the 2800 block of S. Meade Street for the report of a burglary in progress. A female victim awoke to an unknown male subject in her residence causing the male subject to flee on foot. The victim then contacted police. No items appeared to be missing from the residence.

At approximately 9:43 a.m. on November 16, officers were dispatched to the 2800 block of S. Glebe Road for suspicious circumstances. The female victim discovered blood on her front door and two large holes in her window screen. No entry was made into the residence.

At approximately 9:00 a.m. on November 16, officers responded to the 1400 block of S. 28th Street for a late burglary. The female victim attempted to enter her apartment and discovered it was secured by a deadbolt. Once the victim was able to make entry she discovered numerous items of value were stolen from the residence.

The suspect is described as an unknown age black male, approximately 6’0″ tall and weighed 200-215 lbs. He was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt. Officers on scene determined the subject made entry into the residences through unlocked windows. Investigation is ongoing.

Crime Report: Restaurant Burglary in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

Published November 16, 2016 at 11:20AM | Updated February 27, 2020 at 4:34PM

File photo

A restaurant in the Crystal City Shops was burglarized Monday night, according to Arlington County Police.

From an ACPD crime report:

BURGLARY, 2016-11150052, 1600 block of Crystal Square. Between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on November 14, an unknown subject entered a business and stole an undisclosed amount of cash. The investigation is ongoing.

It has been a rather slow week for crime in Arlington. The rest of the past week’s crime report highlights, including at least one that we’ve already reported, after the jump.

(more…)

ACPD to Conduct Pedestrian Safety Detail Thursday

By ARLnow.com

Published November 15, 2016 at 1:30PM

As part of an ongoing fall pedestrian and bicycle safety campaign, the Arlington County Police Department will be conducting an enforcement detail along Lee Highway later this week.

On Thursday, from 10 a.m. to noon, cops will “ticket motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians who violate traffic laws” on Lee Highway near N. Edison Street, in the Hall’s Hill/High View Park area.

A second enforcement detail is planned along Columbia Pike next week, on Tuesday, Nov. 22, according to an ACPD press release, below.

During the month of November, the Arlington County Police Department’s Special Operations Section will be out promoting the 2016 Fall Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Awareness Program. The safety campaign will be held in Hall’s Hill and Barcroft areas of Arlington County. This campaign is part of the 2016 Fall Street Smart Pedestrian, Motorist, and Bicyclist Safety Campaign which will run from October 31st through November 27th.

The goals of the campaign are to change motorist and pedestrian behavior, and reduce pedestrian and bicyclist injuries through education and enforcement. Officers will ticket motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians who violate traffic laws at the following locations:

November 17th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Lee Highway and Edison Street

November 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Columbia Pike and Frederick Street

The Street Smart programs are designed to carry out education and enforcement campaigns throughout the year in the Metropolitan area in order to ensure everyone shares the roads safely. Pedestrians and bicyclists account for a quarter of the traffic fatalities in the region, nearly 90 deaths per year.

Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians are reminded to pay attention to one another and always proceed with caution and care for each other’s safety.