police

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Clarendon Metro station and 3100 Clarendon Blvd

Arlington Police HQ Evacuated Due to Bomb Threat — The Arlington County Police headquarters in Courthouse was evacuated for several hours Saturday night after police received an “automated phone call” that made a bomb threat. Bomb-sniffing dogs got a “preliminary hit” but a sweep of the building came up empty. [WJLA]

Arlington’s MLK Tribute — Arlington County held its 47th annual tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday. County Board members were among those in attendance, honoring Dr. King. [WTOP]

Tax Bills Could Be Going Up — Unless the Arlington County Board lowers the property tax rate, the tax bill for the average homeowner will be going up to a record $6,011. The average assessed value of residential properties in Arlington increased 2.8 percent year-over-year. [InsideNova]

Tour of Ballston Tech Office — Ballston-based cybersecurity firm ThreatConnect has grown to more than 100 employees and is continuing to expand. The company’s “hip headquarters… comes complete with some beautiful design work and creative Star Wars-centric accents.” [DC Inno]

State Police Chase Ends With Wreck in East Falls Church

By ARLnow.com

Police car lightsFor the second time in two months, a police chase from I-66 has ended in East Falls Church.

The vehicle pursuit began around 2:45 a.m., when a Virginia State Police trooper pulled over a Nissan Xterra that was heading east on I-66 at a high rate of speed.

“During the course of the traffic stop, the Nissan fled from the trooper and headed east on I-66. The suspect vehicle took Exit 68 and the trooper lost sight of it,” according to a VSP press release. “As the Nissan came through the exit ramp, it ran off the road, went through a fence, struck a tree and then an unoccupied vehicle in a parking lot. The driver then fled the scene on foot.”

Arlington County and Fairfax County police helped to search for the driver, who was apprehended just before 4 a.m. after being found “behind a trash can” at the East Falls Church Metro station.

The man, 21-year-old Artis Thomas, Jr. of Washington, D.C., was taken into custody “without further incident” and locked up in the Arlington County Detention Center. He was charged with ” DUID (Driving Under the Influence of Drugs), felony eluding law enforcement, possession of a concealed weapon, hit-and-run, and possession of marijuana,” according to VSP.

Police say they recovered a handgun from Thomas’ vehicle.

ACPD Seeking Additional Victims of Sexual Assault Suspects

By Jennifer Currier

Old Arlington County police car paint job (file photo)Arlington Police are searching for additional victims of two men who were arrested earlier this week and charged with sexual assault.

Plain clothes officers arrested Alexandria residents Jose Euseibo Guevara-Rodriquez, 39, and Elmer Umberto Lopez-Velasquez, 38, on Tuesday.

According to police, the men sexually assaulted a woman who was involved in “escort-related activity” at a motel in south Arlington, threatening her with a weapon and stealing her iPad before leaving the room.

Investigators believe the suspects could have other victims — specifically, sex workers who do not speak English and who are therefore less likely to report a crime to police.

The department’s Homicide Robbery Unit is investigating the incident. They’re asking victims who may have had an encounter with these suspects to call Det. Greg Seibert at 703-228-4199.

From the ACPD press release:

The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide Robbery Unit is investigating two suspects involved in a sexual assault and are seeking additional victims. On January 12, 2016, the female victim was involved in escort-related activity at a motel in S. Arlington when two suspects unknown to the victim knocked on the door. Upon entering the motel room, the suspects sexually assaulted the victim while using the threat of a weapon to hold her against her will. The suspects fled the room with the victim’s iPad. The suspects were apprehended by police working a plain clothes detail in the area.

Jose Euseibo Guevara-Rodriquez, 39, of Alexandria, Virginia was charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, rape, abduction with intent to defile and resisting arrest. Elmer Umberto Lopez-Velasquez, 38, of Alexandria, Virginia was charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, attempted rape and abduction with intent to defile and resisting arrest. Both suspects were arrested and held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.

Investigators believe the suspects are targeting non-English speaking victims in hopes that they will not report crimes to police. Anyone who had past inappropriate encounters with the suspects is asked to call Detective Greg Seibert at 703-228-4199 or email [email protected].

Crime Report: Young Man Gropes Butt, Teen Smashes Mug on Man’s Head

By ARLnow.com

A young man groped a woman’s butt while she was walking in the Columbia Heights West neighborhood last Friday morning.

From this week’s Arlington County crime report:

SEXUAL BATTERY, 160108021, 700 block of S. Dinwiddie Street. At approximately 10:36 a.m. on January 8, an unknown male subject approached a female from behind and groped her buttocks. The suspect is described as a younger male, approximately 5’6″ and weighed 160 lbs. He was wearing a blue hoodie, green/grey cargo pants, and gray shoes.

This past weekend, a Bethesda teen was arrested after allegedly smashing a mug on a man’s head in Clarendon. According to court records, the teen’s defense attorney is state Sen. Scott Surovell.

MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 160109003, 3000 block of N. Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 1:04 a.m. on January 9, following a verbal altercation, a 19 year-old male victim was allegedly hit over the head with a glass mug. The victim was transported to the hospital with non- life threatening injuries. Jarett Witzal, 18, of Bethesda MD was arrested and charged with malicious wounding.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump.

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Arlington Man Charged in Alexandria Murder

By ARLnow.com

Police car lights(Updated at 6:50 p.m.) An 18-year-old Arlington man has been arrested and charged with a murder in Alexandria.

Edwin Umana was charged in the homicide of a 22-year-old man, Eduardo Almendarez, whose body was found stabbed in Four Mile Run Park, near Potomac Yard, on Dec. 4.

Alexandria Police say the the crime was “gang-motivated” and that Umana was a member of the MS-13 gang. Almendarez was not in the gang, said Alexandria Police spokesman Crystal Nosal.

Alexandria Police also today announced that three suspects were in custody in connection with the homicide of a 24-year-old man found dead at a playground in Alexandria’s Beverly Park. That murder was also perpetrated by MS-13 members, Nosal said.

The suspects and the victims of both crimes were all undocumented immigrants, according to police.

The press release about the arrest of Umana is below.

Alexandria Police have charged a suspect in connection with the homicide of Eduardo David Chandias Almendarez, who was found deceased in Four Mile Run Park on December 4, 2015.

Edwin Alexander Guerreo Umana, 18, of Arlington, was charged with Murder on January 13, 2016. He is being held without bond.

“The hard work of Alexandria Police detectives and vital assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations directly led to this arrest and closure for the victim’s family”, said Police Chief Earl Cook. “This homicide investigation continues and the Alexandria Police Department is unwavering in its determination to arrest all responsible for this young man’s death. The safety of this community is of utmost importance to us. ”

The Police Department asks that anyone with information about this investigation contact Detective William Oakley at 703.746.6606.

Man Arrested, Charged in Two Arlington Bank Robberies

By ARLnow.com

Suspect in Wells Fargo robbery in Pentagon City (photo courtesy ACPD)A man has been arrested and charged in connection with two recent bank robberies in Arlington.

Nathaniel Moone, 45, was taken into custody this past Friday evening by Metro Transit Police, at the Eastern Market Metro station in D.C.

Police say Moone was the man who tried to rob a Wells Fargo bank in Rosslyn on Dec. 30, but fled before receiving any money. He later successfully robbed the Wells Fargo across from Costco in Pentagon City this past Thursday, Jan. 7.

Moone was identified by detectives following the Jan. 7 robbery and arrested the next day.

The full press release from the Arlington County Police Department:

A bank robbery suspect was taken into custody by the Metro Transit Police Department. Nathaniel Howard Moone, 45, of no fixed address, was arrested during the evening of January 8, 2015 as he exited the Eastern Market Metro station.  Moone was charged with bank robbery and attempted bank robbery and is currently being held pending extradition.

At approximately 4:48 pm on December 30, 2015, the Arlington County Emergency Communications Center was alerted of an attempted bank robbery that had just taken place at the Wells Fargo, located in the 1300 block of N. Wilson Boulevard. The subject attempted to rob the bank by passing a note to the teller but became frustrated and fled the scene on foot.

At approximately 10:10 am on January 7, 2016, the Arlington County Emergency Communications Center was alerted of a bank robbery that had just taken place at the Wells Fargo, located in the 1400 block of S. Fern Street. The subjected entered the bank and handed a teller a note that demanded money. The teller gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of money and the subject fled on foot. The suspect remained at-large for a little over twenty-four hours.

“Our detectives were able to identify this suspect in a timely manner as a direct result of our outstanding relationship and the ability to share resources with our partners at Metro Transit Police Department,” comments Daniel J. Murray, Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigations Division for Arlington County Police Department.

Homeowner Struck With Bottle During Lyon Village Burglary

By ARLnow.com

Scene of an morning assault in Lyon Village, at N. Adams Street(Updated at 3:55 p.m.) Police have released new information about an attack in Lyon Village that sent a man to the hospital with a serious head injury.

Arlington County Police say that the victim, who was struck in the head with a bottle, was a homeowner who discovered a man in his house during a residential burglary.

The incident happened around 10 a.m. on the 1800 block of N. Adams Street, near the intersection with Lee Highway.

Police say the victim was at home during the break-in, but at first didn’t hear the suspect. When he discovered the burglar in the house, he confronted him and a struggle ensued in the kitchen.

During the struggle, the suspect grabbed a bottle and hit the victim over the head with it, causing a “severe laceration,” according to Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage. The suspect then fled on food.

The homeowner, bleeding profusely, made his way to a neighbor’s house. The neighbor then called police to report the assault.

The victim was transported via ambulance to Virginia Hospital Center with what’s described as a non-life-threatening injury. Police found a large amount of blood on the ground, including on the neighbor’s front step, and recovered a pair of bloody gloves, according to scanner traffic.

Police are still investigating the incident but currently believe that the attacker did not know the victim. The suspect is described as a 5’7″ black male in his 50s.

Earlier in the investigation, police said that they believed the victim was struck while walking down the street.

Arlington Police Warn Online Cleaning Service Customers About Thefts

By ARLnow.com

Crime Prevention - Thefts from Home (image via ACPD)There have been a string of home burglaries in Arlington and police believe the connection between them is the use of an online cleaning service.

Arlington County Police are now warning residents to be wary of any cleaner from an online service who refuses to give his or her last name and phone number. The department recommends the use of a home video security system for those who cannot be at home during the cleaning.

ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage declined to name the online cleaning service in question, citing “the integrity of ongoing cases.” She did, however, specify that the “cleaners are contractors signed up with an online cleaning service that does the scheduling on their behalf.”

The most prominent company to fit that definition is Handy. The New York City-based startup recently raised $50 million in venture funding, valuing the company around half a billion dollars. It has been criticized for its classification of cleaners as independent contractors.

So far, Handy has not responded to an inquiry from ARLnow.com. On its website, Handy says its cleaners are “experienced, friendly, background-checked, and insured.”

The police department issued an infographic (above) and the following statement about the online cleaning-related thefts.

The Arlington County Police Department has seen an increase in thefts from homes that have utilized online cleaning services. While a burglar has to break into an unsuspecting home, the same results can happen by giving unknown people access to your home. Below are a few things to consider before allowing any service provider into your home.

  • How long has the service been in business in your community?
  • Did you receive a favorable recommendation from friends or family?
  • Does the service have the appropriate permits to conduct business?
  • Is the service licensed properly with the County or the State?

When searching for an online cleaning service, it is suspicious of subcontractors to only provide partial names or to fail to provide telephone numbers. While there are many legitimate service providers, it is always recommended you remain present when the service is being provided and that you place all valuables in a secure area prior to their arrival.

If it is not possible for you to remain at home while the service is being provided and you can’t have a friend or family member assist you, you may want to reschedule for another time or consider monitoring the activity with a home video security system. These systems can be monitored via the web or your smartphone.

You work hard for things you have purchased. Help us to help you enjoy the fruits of your labor and avoid being a victim of theft.

A local online cleaning service, Maids in Black, said via a spokeswoman that it is “not a part of this investigation.”

“We pride ourself on hiring trustworthy employees who all must pass a background screening to ensure only the highest quality of service,” said Joanna Kalita. “These instances are quite unfortunate, however, in no way connected to Maids In Black.”

Police Conducting Death Investigation at Apartment Building Near Lyon Village

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Police car lightsArlington County Police are conducting a death investigation at the Fort Strong Apartments near Lyon Village.

Police responded to the complex on the 2000 block of N. Daniel Street, just off Lee Highway, around 2:30 p.m. for a report of a man stabbing himself with a knife.

Arriving officers told dispatchers that there was a man down and asked paramedics to expedite to the scene. Shortly thereafter, however, it was reported that the man had died.

The man’s wife and child were in an adjacent apartment at the time of the incident, according to initial reports.

A police spokeswoman confirmed that investigators were remaining on scene to investigate the man’s death. There is no threat to the public, police said.

If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, help is a phone call away. Call CrisisLink at 703-527-4077.

Car Slams into Wall Near Yorktown High School

By ARLnow.com
1/9

A car slammed into a low stone wall outside of a home at the corner of N. Harrison Street and 26th Street N. this afternoon.

The single-vehicle crash happened around 1:30 p.m., not far from the Lee-Harrison shopping center and Yorktown High School.

An adult male driver was the only occupant inside the car, a gray Oldsmobile, when emergency crews arrived. He was reported to be semi-conscious after the crash and not responding to police commands. A fire department rescue squad was dispatched to the scene to remove the man from the car.

The driver was transported to Virginia Hospital Center for evaluation. The cause of the crash and the cause of the driver’s semi-conscious state is still under investigation, a police spokeswoman said.

A large portion of the wall and some shrubbery was destroyed by the crash, but no other injuries were reported.

Long Rap Sheet for Man Charged With Sexual Battery on Columbia Pike

By ARLnow.com

Nahome Gebrekidan (photo via ACPD)A 30-year-old man arrested for sexual battery and public drunkenness on Columbia Pike Monday has been arrested for being drunk in public at least 19 times since July 2011.

Nahome Gebrekidan, of no fixed address, was arrested Monday afternoon on the western end of Columbia Pike in Arlington.

Police say a woman was walking down the street just before 4:00 p.m., when she passed a man later identified as Gebrekidan.

“After they passed one another, she felt a hand go between her legs, touching her genitals over her jeans,” said Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage. “The suspect did not say anything to the victim and continued to walk westbound on Columbia Pike.”

Gebrekidan has been charged with sexual battery and being drunk in public. His next court date is scheduled for Feb. 5.

Court records show that Gebrekidan has been charged with being drunk in public 18 times in Fairfax County and Alexandria alone, over the past four and a half years. He has also faced minor charges like trespassing and disorderly conduct in those jurisdictions.

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