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Pastor’s Phone Stolen in Rosslyn

Published January 30, 2015 at 3:35PM | Updated January 30, 2015 at 4:39PM

(Updated at 4:35 p.m.) A pastor’s cell phone was stolen while he was trying to stop a theft inside his church this past Sunday.

The incident happened around 5:00 p.m. on January 25 at the Arlington Temple Methodist church in Rosslyn, also known affectionately as “Our Lady of Sunoco” in reference to the gas station below it.

Police say a man was rummaging through the church’s kitchen and trying to steal items when the pastor confronted him. The pastor pulled out his cell phone to call 911, and that’s when the suspect snatched the phone and ran off, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

The pastor did not recognize the suspect, who remains at large. From an ACPD crime report item:

ROBBERY, 150125037, 1800 block of N. Nash Street. At 4:59 pm on January 25, an unknown subject entered the Arlington Temple Methodist Community Center and was attempting to steal items from the kitchen. When confronted by a pastor, the subject stole the pastor’s phone and fled the scene. The suspect is described as a black male in his twenties, approximately 5’8″ tall and 175 lbs. He was wearing a striped khaki jacket, dark pants and a black ear warmer.

Car Flips, Knocks Over Utility Pole on George Mason Drive

By ARLnow.com

Published January 29, 2015 at 1:45PM | Updated January 29, 2015 at 2:32PM

(Updated at 2:30 p.m.) George Mason Drive is shut down between N. Henderson Road and Park Drive due to a single-vehicle wreck that knocked over a utility pole.

The crash happened around 1:00 p.m. A driver in a sedan lost control of her car while heading down George Mason, near Barrett Elementary School. The car flipped on its roof and knocked over a utility pole and active power lines.

An Arlington County Fire Department rescue squad helped to pull the woman out of the overturned vehicle while keeping clear of the power lines. She was transported to a local hospital but her injuries did not appear to be life-threatening. Initial reports suggest that alcohol might have been a factor in the crash.

The road is expected to remain closed while utility crews work to repair the pole and the lines.

Police: Man Tried to Kiss Uber Driver, Then Stole Her Phone

By ARLnow.com

Published January 26, 2015 at 6:45PM | Updated December 23, 2021 at 2:49PM

(Updated at 2:50 p.m. on 12/23/21) A drunk Arlington resident tried to kiss the driver of his Uber ride then stole her phone when his unwanted advances were rebuffed, according to Arlington County police.

The incident happened just after 6:00 p.m. Saturday evening, on the 2200 block of S. Garfield Street in Nauck. Police say 31-year-old Richard [Redacted], who was intoxicated, became belligerent after trying to kiss the Uber driver.

“When she resisted the subject assaulted her and prevented her from calling police,” according to a crime report. “The subject stole her phone and left it on the front steps of his residence.”

The woman’s phone was “recovered by a witness.” Police arrested [Redacted] at his home shortly thereafter. While being hauled off to jail he allegedly tried to kick out the rear window of the police cruiser.

[Redacted] has been charged with robbery, preventing a 911 call and attempted destruction of property. He was held without bond.

Update at 11:15 a.m. — An Uber spokeswoman has issued the following statement about the incident to ARLnow.com:

“This is an appalling and serious crime. We are in contact with our valued driver partner and will continue to provide support. Upon learning of the incident we immediately and permanently removed the rider from our platform, and stand ready to assist authorities.”

Two-Vehicle Crash Takes Out Traffic Signal on Lee Highway

By ARLnow.com

Published January 26, 2015 at 3:15PM | Updated January 26, 2015 at 3:46PM

(Updated at 3:45 p.m.) A two-vehicle collision flattened a traffic signal and caused some traffic disruptions on Lee Highway this afternoon.

The crash happened between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m., on Lee Highway between Spout Run and the I-66 overpass. An SUV and a commercial van were involved in the wreck, which knocked over a traffic light in the median.

“One car was coming from the 66 off ramp and the other was driving on Lee Highway,” a witness told ARLnow.com.

Police on scene believe the slick roads may have been a factor. So far, no injuries have been reported. Police are remaining on scene while tow crews prepare to haul away the vehicles.

The county’s traffic engineering department has been notified of the damaged signal. According to officers, the signal that was knocked down will not significantly affect the intersection’s safety, and no officers will be needed to help with traffic flow.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published January 26, 2015 at 11:00AM

School Boundary ‘Refinements’ Approved, Parents Peeved — The Arlington School Board on Thursday approved a series of small “refinements” to elementary school boundaries in North Arlington by a 3-1 vote. The changes will impact a few dozen current McKinley and Tuckahoe elementary students over the next two school years, transferring those students to other nearby schools. Several parents whose kids are affected have contacted ARLnow.com, calling the process and subsequent decision “short sighted,” “pointless” and “a sham.” [Arlington Public Schools, InsideNova]

Big, Tire-Eating Pothole on Wilson Blvd — An Arlington resident says he got a flat tire after driving over a monster pothole in the left-hand lane of westbound Wilson Blvd at N. Patrick Henry Drive. Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services responded to the man’s tweet, saying repair crews have been notified. [Twitter]

ACPD Assists with Bust of Diner Owner — The owner of a popular Baltimore diner has been arrested in a cocaine sting that Arlington County police helped to arrange. Prosecutors say Anthony Vasiliades, owner of the Sip & Bite diner, which was featured on the TV show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” tried to buy $50,000 worth of cocaine from an undercover Arlington detective. [Baltimore Sun]

Casting Call for Arlington Cyclists — More than 50 people have signed up for a casting call for a promotional campaign that will highlight “everyday Arlington citizens who use a bicycle as means of commuting and/or recreation.” The casting call for the county-sponsored campaign, which will feature six short documentary films, ends today. [Modacity, Twitter]

County Planning Effort Launches — The Arlington County and School Boards have jointly appointed a 24-member “Facilities Study Committee” that is tasked with building “a consensus framework regarding the community’s future funding and facility needs.” The launch of the committee comes as Arlington Public Schools faces push back from residents as it tries to find county-owned land on which to build badly-needed new schools. [Arlington County]

Flickr pool photo by Brendan

Police Investigating Fatal Pentagon City Crash

By ARLnow.com

Published January 23, 2015 at 3:45PM

A Maryland man died in a single-vehicle crash in Pentagon City Thursday night.

The incident happened around 10:15 p.m. Police say 60-year-old John Dawson, of Clinton, Md., was turning left onto 15th Street S. from S. Eads Street when he struck a pole.

Dawson was transported to George Washington University hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Arlington County Police Department’s critical accident team responded to the scene. Investigators are still trying to determine if Dawson’s death was caused by the crash or was the result of a medical emergency that occurred just before the crash, according to ACPD spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

Teen Seriously Injured in Bike Accident

By ARLnow.com

Published January 22, 2015 at 5:10PM

A teenage girl has suffered serious injuries in a bike accident on a steep downhill portion of S. Walter Reed Drive.

Police believe the girl ran into the back of a stopped SUV near the intersection of Walter Reed and S. Randolph Street, at the bottom of a steep hill. The girl suffered a serious head and facial injuries and was rushed to the trauma center at Inova Fairfax Hospital.

The girl was reportedly wearing a helmet. The driver of the SUV remained on scene, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

The accident happened around 3:30 p.m. As of 4:45 p.m., investigators were still taking photos and measurements at the scene.

Photo via Google Maps

JUST IN: Arlington Police Chief to Retire

By ARLnow.com

Published January 22, 2015 at 3:05PM

Arlington County Police Chief Doug Scott is retiring, County Manager Barbara Donnellan told county staff members today.

Scott has been police chief in Arlington for 12 years. He began his law enforcement career in 1975 as a Fairfax County police cadet. He served as Fairfax County’s police chief from 1995-1998.

Arlington is planning to begin a “national recruitment” for its next police chief. Scott will officially retire on March 20.

Donnellan’s memo to county staff:

Colleagues – It seems that all good things must come to an end. Doug Scott is retiring from Arlington County after serving as our outstanding Police Chief for 12 years.

Doug is retiring after a 40-year career in law enforcement. He has done an excellent job of serving our community and our organization – not only as our police chief, but also as a stalwart member of my Executive Leadership Team. Doug is always thoughtful, measured, and focused on the bigger strategic picture. He is results-oriented and focused on solutions and I very much value his contributions to the big questions we wrestle with. He is a tremendous supporter of his officers and staff.

Doug will be with us until March 20. Over the next couple of months, I will name an Acting Police Chief and begin a national recruitment.

We will miss Doug and his wise counsel. I am grateful to Doug for his service to our community and our organization. I know you will all join me in wishing Doug all the best as he and his family enter this new chapter in their lives.

Best,
Barbara

Scott’s biography from the county website:

Chief Douglas Scott has served as Arlington’s Chief of Police since 2003. Chief Scott began his law enforcement career as a police cadet with the Fairfax County Police Department in 1975 and became the department’s Chief of Police in 1995. In 1998, he retired from Fairfax County and was named Chief of Police in the City of Fairfax Police Department. He left local law enforcement briefly in 2000 when he accepted an Assistant Inspector General position for the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Chief Scott holds an associate’s degree in police science, a bachelor’s degree in applied behavioral science and a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University. He is also a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy and National Executive Institute as well as the Executive Leaders Program at the Center for Homeland Defense & Security. From 2009-2010, Chief Scott served as the president of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP). Currently, Chief Scott serves as an Executive Board Member for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), after having served for many years on its Highway Safety, Environmental Crimes, Terrorism and Resolutions Committees.

Police Looking for Exxon Burglary Suspect

By ARLnow.com

Published January 21, 2015 at 3:50PM

The Arlington County Police Department is looking for a man suspected of breaking into a Lee Highway gas station over the weekend.

Police say the man entered the gas station Sunday night, stole cash and caused damage to the business before fleeing. He escaped, but was caught in the act on a surveillance camera.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call police. From an ACPD press release:

The Arlington County Police Department’s Burglary/Larceny Unit is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect involved in a burglary incident over the weekend at an Exxon Gas Station.

The suspect broke into the gas station, located in the 4700 block of N. Lee Highway, shortly after 8:00 p.m. on January 18, 2015. The lone suspect was captured on surveillance video causing damage to the business before stealing the cash register from behind the counter. He fled with the register and an undisclosed amount of money.

The subject is described as a black male in his 30-40s and was wearing a dark leather jacket, tan pants and black beanie skull cap.

If anyone has information on the identity and/or whereabouts of this individual, please contact Detective James Stone of the Arlington County Police Department’s Burglary/Larceny Unit at 703.228.4245 or at [email protected]. To report information anonymously, contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866.411.TIPS (8477).

Crime Report: Purple Van Stolen

By ARLnow.com

Published January 16, 2015 at 9:20AM | Updated February 27, 2020 at 4:07PM

Other than a notable bar fight in Ballston, this past week has been a rather slow one in Arlington crime-wise, at least according to the weekly county crime report.

One standout is a reported stolen vehicle. For some reason, someone stole an old purple van a couple of blocks from Campbell Elementary.

01/12/15, VA TX134307, 1996 Ford Econoline, Purple
5600 block of S. 7th Place

The rest of the crime report, after the jump.

(more…)

DEVELOPING: State Senator Says He Was Almost Carjacked in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published January 8, 2015 at 1:05PM | Updated January 8, 2015 at 2:27PM

Sen. Adam Ebbin is running unopposed in the Democratic primary

(Updated at 2:25 p.m.) State Sen. Adam Ebbin says he was almost carjacked near the Potomac Yard Harris Teeter store, in Arlington.

Ebbin tweeted about the incident at 12:55 p.m. this afternoon.

http://twitter.com/AdamEbbin/status/553248654115762177

http://twitter.com/AdamEbbin/status/553249028729999360

Police say Ebbin was stopped at a red light when a man tried to open a back door of the vehicle, then went around and tried to open a front door. The light turned green and Ebbin drove off. He called police and officers took a report.

It’s unclear why the man tried to get in Ebbin’s car, though police are not calling it a carjacking attempt just yet.

“Right now it’s technically going to be termed a tampering,” said Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

Officers searched the area but couldn’t find anyone matching the suspect’s description.