Critical pedestrian accident near the intersection of N. Highland Street and Clarendon BlvdArlington County Police will be conducting a traffic enforcement detail this week, starting Tuesday, in three Metro-accessible neighborhoods.

The enforcement action will target motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians caught breaking traffic laws in Ballston, East Falls Church and Crystal City. It’s part of a fall bicycle and pedestrian safety awareness program.

With the days getting shorter and daylight saving time ending Sunday, pedestrian and bicyclist safety is an important law enforcement focus. Most fatal pedestrian accidents occur after dark.

From an ACPD press release:

Between October 27-29, 2015, the Arlington County Police Department’s Special Operations Section will be out promoting the 2015 Fall Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Awareness Program in the Ballston, East Falls Church and Crystal City areas.
Officers will be at the following locations:

October 27th – Fairfax Drive & N. Monroe Street from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

October 28th – 1700-1900 block of N. Sycamore Street from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

October 29th – 1500-2300 block of Crystal Drive from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

This enforcement detail is part of the 2015 Street Smart Pedestrian, Driver, and Bicyclist Safety Campaign which runs from October 26, 2015 through November 15, 2015.  Officers will ticket motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians who violate traffic laws.

These programs are set up to carry out education and enforcement campaigns throughout the year 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.

File photo


Car fire in the Barcroft neighborhood on 10/23/15 (photo courtesy ACPD)No one was injured after a car burst into flames in the Barcroft neighborhood this morning.

The incident happened around 8 a.m., at the intersection of S. Buchanan Street and 9th Street S.

Police say they responded to a report of a smoldering car at the intersection. The smoldering quickly turned into flames, as captured in a photo taken by a police officer.

Arlington firefighters responded to extinguish the blaze. A county fire marshal also responded, to investigate the cause of the fire.

Photo courtesy ACPD


Old Arlington County police car paint job (file photo)Two employees of a store at the Pentagon City mall were pepper sprayed while trying to prevent a robbery Tuesday morning.

Police say four women tried to steal items from a store, then sprayed pepper spray at the employees as the fled.

From this week’s Arlington County crime report:

ROBBERY, 151020023, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street. At approximately 10:01 a.m. on October 20, four unknown subjects entered a retail store and attempted to steal several items. As they were fleeing, one of the subjects sprayed two employees with pepper spray. The first suspect is described as a black female in her twenties, with an average height. She was wearing a tan hat, black jacket, maroon pants, and brown UGG boots. The second suspect is described as a black female in her twenties, with an average height. She was wearing shiny black leggings and a multi-colored jacket. The third suspect is described as a black female in her twenties, with an average height. She was wearing a knit cap, a hooded jacket, jeans, and black boots. The fourth suspect is described as a black female in her twenties, with an average height. She was wearing a black hat, jeans, and black boots.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump.

ROBBERY, 151021003, 4400 block of S. 31st Street. At approximately 1:00 a.m. on October 21, a 48 year-old male cab driver was assaulted and robbed by an unknown male subject. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his twenties with a thin build. He was wearing a grey hoodie and dark jeans at the time of the incident.

ROBBERY, 151014058, 4300 block of N. 2nd Street. At approximately 10:40 p.m. on October 14, an unknown male subject robbed a 50 year-old male victim of his wallet. The suspect is described as a black male in his twenties, approximately 5’7″-5’9″ tall and was wearing a grey sweatshirt at the time of the incident.

ROBBERY, 151019027, 700 block of N. Glebe Road. At approximately 3:00 p.m. on October 19, a loss prevention officer was assaulted while trying to stop two subjects from shoplifting. Yesenia Yvette Echegoyen, 19, of Falls Church, Va, was arrested and charged with robbery and conspiracy to commit larceny. Kelly Michelle Fuentes, 19, of Alexandria, Va, was arrested and charged with grand larceny, conspiracy to commit larceny, and providing false identification.

ROBBERY, 151019020, 1700 block of S. Clark Street. At approximately 1:20 p.m. on October 19, an unknown male subject robbed a 28 year-old female victim of her phone. The suspect is described as a black male in his early twenties, approximately 5’8″ tall and weighed 160-180 lbs. He was wearing a green jacket and black pants at the time of the incident.

LARCENY FROM AUTO (series), 151016022, 2000 block of S. Eads Street. Between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on October 15, an unknown subject(s) entered several vehicles in a one block

BURGLARY, 151020027, 100 block of N. Thomas Street. An unknown subject(s) forced entry into a community center and stole a computer monitor. There is no suspect(s) description.

STOLEN VEHICLES
10/13/15, VA WZC2026, 2009 Acura TL, Black
3000 block of S. Abingdon Street
10/15/15, VA WTC3422, 2014 Kia Optima, Black
3600 block of S. Glebe Road
10/15/15, VA VFX7309, 2001 Ford, Green
300 block of N. Piedmont Street
10/19/15, VA WTS9485, 1998 Jeep Cherokee, White
1100 block of S. Eads Street

10/14/15
GRAND LARCENY, 151014021, 700 block of N. Glebe Road
GRAND LARCENY, 151014022, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151014024, 600 block of N. Glebe Road
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151014028, 900 block of N. Stuart Street
LARCENY, 151014030, 100 block of S. Old Glebe Road
VANDALISM, 151014031, 3700 block of N. Delaware Street
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151014042, 600 block of N. Glebe Road
GRAND LARCENY, 151014043, 2300 block of S. Glebe Road
LARCENY FROM AUTO, 151014048, 3800 block of S. 7th Street
GRAND LARCENY, 151014049, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street
PETIT LARCENY, 151014053, 2900 block of S. Quincy Street

10/15/15
ASSAULT, 151015005, 3300 block of N. Wilson Boulevard
ASSAULT & BATTERY, 151015010, 4900 block of S. Columbia Pike
ASSAULT, 151015014, 5800 block of N. Washington Boulevard
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151015020, 500 block of S. Army Navy Drive
GRAND LARCENY, 151015034, 700 block of N. Glebe Road
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151015048, 1200 block of N. Queen Street

10/16/15
ASSAULT & BATTERY, 151016001, 500 block of S. Walter Reed Drive
ASSAULT & BATTERY, 151016007, 1200 block of S. Courthouse Road
ASSAULT & BATTERY, 151016002, 5200 block of S. 8th Road
LARCENY FROM AUTO, 151016012, 1300 block of S. Nash Street
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151016013, 2300 block of S. Nash Street
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151016014, 2300 block of S. Nash Street
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151016015, 1300 block of S. Army Navy Drive
LARCENY FROM AUTO, 151016016, 1300 block of S. Army Navy Drive
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151016018, 1200 block of S. Army Navy Drive
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151016019, 1200 block of S. Army Navy Drive
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151016020, 1300 block of S. Army Navy Drive
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151016021, 1300 block of S. Army Navy Drive
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151016023, 2300 block of S. Nash Street
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151016024, 2300 block of S. Nash Street
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151016025, 2300 block of S. Nash Street
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151016027, 2300 block of S. Nash Street
ASSAULT & BATTERY, 151016051, 900 block of S. George Mason Drive
PETIT LARCENY, 151016052, 3900 block of N. Wilson Boulevard
LARCENY, 151016061, 4100 block of N. Vacation Lane
EMBEZZLEMENT, 151016072, 1400 block of S. Hayes Street
GRAND LARCENY, 151016075, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street
GRAND LARCENY, 151016076, 1000 block of S. Hayes Street
GRAND LARCENY, 151016077, 700 block of N. Glebe Road
ATTEMPTED LARCENY FROM AUTO, 151016086, 1600 block of S. Joyce Street

10/17/15
GRAND LARCENY, 151017016, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151017020, 1100 block of S. Army Navy Drive
PETIT LARCENY, 151017021, 5100 block of S. 8th Road
PETIT LARCENY, 151017029, 700 block of N. Glebe Road
GRAND LARCENY, 151017040, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street

10/18/15
ASSAULT & BATTERY, 151018001, 500 block of S. 14th Road
GRAND LARCENY, 151018007, 4900 block of S. Columbia Pike
ASSAULT & BATTERY, 151018009, 2800 block of N. Wilson Boulevard
ASSAULT & BATTERY, 151018014, 3000 block of N. Washington Boulevard
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151018018, 1100 block of N. Arlington Boulevard
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151018019, 1300 block of S. Army Navy Drive
GRAND LARCENY, 151018022, 1700 block of S. 13th Road
TAMPERING WITH AUTO, 151018023, 1100 block of S. Rolfe Street
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151018024, 1100 block of N. Irving Street
LARCENY FROM AUTO, 151018025, 1100 block of S. Rolfe Street
LARCENY, 151018026, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street
TRESPASSING, 151018030, 2700 block of S. Glebe Road
CREDIT CARD THEFT, 151018031, 1200 block of N. Fillmore Street
ASSAULT & BATTERY, 151018044, 1900 block of S. Arlington Ridge Road
LARCENY FROM AUTO, 151018054, 3800 block of N. 9th Street

10/19/15
COUNTERFEIT, 151019018, 800 block of S. Army Navy Drive
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151019023, 1300 block of S. Rolfe Street
LARCENY FROM AUTO, 151019024, 2200 block of N. Clarendon Boulevard
GRAND LARCENY, 1000 block of S. Hayes Street
PETIT LARCENY, 151019033, 1700 block of N. Moore Street
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 151019035, 5200 block of N. Yorktown Boulevard

10/20/15
PETIT LARCENY, 151020015, 5200 block of N. Yorktown Boulevard.
FRAUD, 151020020, 300 block of N. Thomas Street
GRAND LARCENY, 151020029, 1100 block of S. Joyce Street
FRAUD, 151020031, 3700 block of N. Lee Highway
LARCENY FROM AUTO, 151020043, 1800 block of N. George Mason Drive
GRAND LARCENY, 151020044, 1000 block of S. Hayes Street
EMBEZZLEMENT, 151020051, 1400 block of S. Hayes Street
GRAND LARCENY, 151020052, 700 block of N. Glebe Road
GRAND LARCENY, 151020054, 1000 block of S. Hayes Street

10/21/15
TRESSPASSING, 151021001, 1900 block of S. Jefferson Davis Highway
LARCENY, 151021007, 1300 block of S. Army Navy Drive


Sunoco robbery suspect (photo via ACPD)(Updated at 2 p.m.) Arlington County Police have swarmed the area around Ballston in search of two armed robbery suspects.

The Sunoco gas station at the corner of N. Glebe Road and Washington Blvd was robbed earlier this afternoon by two suspects, one of whom has a gun, according to police.

While police try to track down the suspects, nearby Washington-Lee High School has been placed in “secure the school” mode, which usually means that exterior doors are locked and students are not allowed outside.

Around 2 p.m., police released a surveillance image of a robbery suspect, taken inside the Sunoco’s convenience store.


Police car lightsA string of car break-ins over the past week have targeted vehicles in parts of South Arlington and Falls Church.

Last week, at least four cars were broken into and one was reported stolen in Fairlington. All of the cars broken into were unlocked, and the car that was stolen was reportedly unlocked with the keys left in the ignition.

Also last week, items were stolen from a number of cars within a one block radius of the 2000 block of S. Eads Street, in the Crystal City area, according to a crime report.

This past weekend, at least 16 cars were broken into in the City of Falls Church, according to the Falls Church News-Press.

Arlington County Police are continuing to remind residents to lock their cars and to not leave any valuables in plain sight within the vehicle when it’s parked.


Arlington County JailPolice have completed their investigation of the death of an inmate at the Arlington County jail.

Anthony Gordon was found unconscious in his cell at the detention facility in Courthouse on Aug. 22. Despite efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead after arriving at Virginia Hospital Center.

In a press release (below), police say they determined that Gordon had “an extensive history of medical issues” and died of “natural causes.”

Arlington police are still investigating the death of 53-year-old Edward Straughn — who was found unresponsive in his cell at the jail earlier this month.

The investigation of the in-custody death of 48 year-old Anthony Gordon on August 22, 2015, by the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit has concluded. In conjunction with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, it has been determined that Gordon died of natural causes due to an extensive history of medical issues.

Deputies with the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office found Gordon unconscious in a medical unit cell in the early morning hours of August 22, 2015. Resuscitation efforts were performed by deputies and nurses on scene prior to Gordon being transported to Virginia Hospital Center where he was pronounced deceased at approximately 3:41 a.m.

Gordon was convicted of a third offense of assault and battery of a family member and was sentenced to five years.

This incident marked the first in-custody death since February 2013. It was determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the 2013 incident that the inmate had died of natural causes.


Arlington County police car(Updated at 1:05 p.m.) A barbecue in the Donaldson Run neighborhood turned violent last Saturday.

Police say a 26-year-old man suffered two large wounds after being struck in the face with a wine bottle.

From this week’s Arlington County crime report:

MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 151010037, 4000 block of N. Lorcom Lane. At approximately 9:30 p.m. on October 10, a 26 year-old male victim was struck in the face with a wine bottle during a BBQ, causing two large lacerations to his head. The victim was transported to Virginia Hospital Center with non-life threatening injuries. Melissa Michelle Fredericks, 43, of Arlington VA, was arrested and charged with malicious wounding.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump.

(more…)


Police car lightsUpdate at 1:55 p.m. — Fairfax County Police say they’ve determined that the shots fired call was the result of an active shooter drill. Road closures are being lifted and police are clearing the area.

Wakefield High School and Claremont Elementary are in a heightened state of security due to an investigation into shots fired across the county line.

Fairfax County Police say they’re investigating a shots fired call from the area around Skyline Towers and the Target on Route 7. The address is reportedly that of a federal law enforcement office.

“We are investigating a report of shots heard at 5109 Leesburg Pike,” FCPD said in a tweet. “Nothing confirmed. No suspect, no victims located at this point.”

Wakefield and Claremont have been placed in “secure the school” mode, according to scanner traffic. Arlington County Police have also shut down the intersection of George Mason Drive and Route 7, preventing traffic from entering Fairfax County.

Tweets from during the incident:

https://twitter.com/ousooners28/status/654715878332755968


Arlington County police carA man tried to break into a backyard shed a block away from the Westover Village shopping center last night.

Police say the residents of the home on 16th Street N. confronted the man, which caused him to run off.

From the Arlington County Police crime report:

BREAKING & ENTERING, 151007069, 5800 block of N. 16th Street. At approximately 8:35 p.m. on October 7, an unknown subject was seen attempting to gain access to a shed in the backyard of a residence. The residents confronted the subject causing him to flee. The suspect is described as a white male in his twenties, approximately 5’6″ tall and weighing 150 lbs. He was wearing a black long sleeve shirt, black pants, and was carrying a big black bag.

Last week’s full Arlington crime report, after the jump.

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ACPD arrest of sexual assault suspect (mug shot vs. sketch)

Arlington County Police have announced an arrest in a series of sexual assault cases that have had the community on edge since mid-summer.

Police say a 19-year-old Arlington man has been arrested and charged with two counts of attempted abduction in connection to at least three sexual assault cases. The man was arrested early this morning and has confessed to multiple attempted sexual assaults, according to police.

From an ACPD press release:

The Arlington County Police Department arrested and charged a 19 year-old subject early this morning with two counts of attempted abduction with the intent to defile for his role in multiple sexual assault incidents. Melvin Perez Bonilla, 19, of Arlington, VA is currently being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.

Bonilla confessed to multiple sexual assault attempts in the county during questioning at police headquarters and is believed to be responsible for a similar attack that occurred in August. Police are awaiting DNA analysis results from the state lab for that incident for confirmation of his involvement.

The initial attack occurred July 25, 2015 in the 1900 block of N. Scott Street at approximately 1:20 a.m. as the 25 year-old victim was walking alone in the Clarendon area. A second attack took place August 8, 2015 in the 1900 block of N. Highland Street at approximately 2:45 a.m. as a 29 year-old year victim was walking alone. A third attack occurred on September 29, 2015 in the 1200 block of N. Quincy Street at approximately 10:20 p.m. on a 23 year-old female victim as she was walking home.

The victims in each of these attacks assisted detectives by providing details of the events and the description of their assailant. A composite sketch based upon a victims’ description had previously been released. Detectives assigned to the Special Victims Unit and investigators assigned to the Tactical Unit worked with Metro Transit Police to obtain surveillance video and other information to identify the suspect. Tactical Unit officers took Bonilla into custody when they observed him exiting a Metro Bus in the Courthouse area in the early morning hours of October 7, 2015.

“Our officers have taken a dangerous individual off the streets and the community should feel a little safer knowing he is behind bars,” comments Daniel J. Murray, Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigations Division for Arlington County Police Department.

Anyone who has information regarding these incidents or concerning Bonilla is asked to call Detective Icolari at 703.228.4240 or email [email protected]. To report information anonymously, contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866.411.TIPS (8477).


Kay Jewelers store (photo via Kay Jewelers)An enraged man assaulted an employee and smashed glass display cases after returning an engagement ring to the Kay Jewelers store at the Pentagon City mall this morning, according to police.

Arlington County officers responded to the store just after 11:35 a.m., after receiving a frantic 911 call about an assault in progress.

Police say a homeless man, 34-year-old Monbain Brown, had earlier in the day returned a $4,000 engagement ring after having a change of heart about the purchase. He returned shortly thereafter and “engaged in a verbal altercation with one of the workers behind the display case because the money had not showed up in his account yet,” according to ACPD spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

Brown became increasingly agitated during the argument before jumping the counter and beginning to strangle the female employee, Sternbeck said.

Mondaine Brown (photo courtesy ACPD)Customers inside the store watched the scuffle but did not intervene. Finally, a male employee came out and placed Brown in a chokehold, resulting in all three tumbling to the ground, according to Sternbeck.

After several minutes of Brown being held in the chokehold, said Sternbeck, a mall security guard arrived and asked the employee to let him go. At that time, Brown allegedly began chasing the female employee around the store. After being unable to catch her, Brown slammed his fist down on the jewelry display cases, breaking two of them, Sternbeck said. He then proceeded to smoke a cigarette inside the store and wait for police to arrive.

Brown was arrested and is being held without bond. He is charged with strangulation, destruction of property and assault and battery.

A surveillance camera caught the entire incident on video, Sternbeck noted.


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