police

Crime Report: Tween Brandishes Knife in 7-Eleven Slurpee Robbery

By ARLnow.com

Police car lightsA middle school-aged perp brandished a knife while stealing a Slurpee from a Crystal City 7-Eleven store, according to this week’s Arlington County crime report.

The incident happened this past Friday, just after 7:00 p.m. Police say a group of five boys ages 11 to 13 entered the 7-Eleven and stole Slurpees.

When the cashier confronted the suspects, one allegedly brandished a knife and made threats, before fleeing the scene on foot.

From the crime report:

ROBBERY, 150102041, 400 block of S. 23rd Street. At 7:14 pm on January 2, a group of five juveniles entered a 7-11 and stole slurpees. When the cashier confronted the subjects, one of them brandished a knife and made threatening remarks. The suspects fled the scene on foot. The five suspects were described as black males between 11-13 years old and were wearing dark clothing.

The rest of this week’s Arlington crime report, after the jump.

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State Troopers Swarm Arna Valley As Police Chase Ends in Residential Neighborhood

By ARLnow.com
1/10

A police chase that started in Prince William County ended in Arlington’s Arna Valley neighborhood this afternoon.

Virginia State Police reportedly began pursuing a green Chevrolet SUV in Prince William , following it up I-95 and I-395. The SUV took the Glebe Road exit off I-395 around 1:00 p.m., speeding toward the residential neighborhood of Arna Valley, near Shirlington.

The suspects bailed out on S. Veitch Street, between 26th and 27th Streets. All three were quickly apprehended.

Dozens of police officers, including state troopers and Arlington County officers, swarmed the area as the pursuit ended. A Fairfax County Police helicopter could be seen overhead. Nearby Gunston Middle School was secured for a short time during and after the chase.

Per department policy, Arlington County Police were not involved in the pursuit.

So far there’s no word on what charges the suspects are facing, or on what state troopers might have found in the SUV.

Separately, around 3:00 p.m., Virginia State Police were in pursuit of a vehicle involved in a felony hit-and-run. The chase was called off as the vehicle was approaching Arlington on northbound I-395, according to scanner traffic.

Update at 5:00 p.m. — Virginia State Police have released a statement about both chases.

PURSUIT #1 – Prince William County to Arlington County

At approximately 12:53 p.m. Wednesday, a Virginia State Police trooper was on patrol along Cardinal Drive (near Minnieville Road) in Dale City when a 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe with an expired inspection sticker passed by. The trooper initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, which refused to stop and sped away from the trooper. The suspect vehicle made its way to the Prince William Parkway and then northbound on Interstate 95 and then into Arlington County on I-395. The Tahoe took the Glebe Road exit and continued into a residential neighborhood. The driver and two passengers pulled up to a residence on South Veitch Street, fled the vehicle on foot and entered the residence. All three males have been taken into custody without incident and charges are pending. The investigation remains ongoing at this time.

No injuries or vehicle crashes resulted from this pursuit.

The Fairfax County Police helicopter was instrumental in assisting state police with following the suspect vehicle and locating the subjects at the residence. In addition, the Arlington County and City of Alexandria Police Departments also assisted with the incident.

PURSUIT #2 – Stafford County to Arlington County

At approximately 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, a Virginia State Police trooper was in the crossover at the 137 mile marker in Stafford County monitoring northbound traffic when a Toyota Camry came through radar at 94 mph. When the trooper pulled out to initiate a traffic stop on the car, it sped away in excess of 100 mph. The car continued northbound on the shoulder and weaving through lanes. Within 10 minutes near the 158 mile marker in Prince William County, the trooper terminated the pursuit for public safety purposes. The Toyota continued northbound. There were three subjects in the vehicle.

At 2:53 p.m., Virginia State Police were notified of a hit-and-run crash in the northbound lanes of I-395 at the Seminary Road Exit. Based on witness statements, it is believed this crash was caused by the same Toyota Camry. A Honda Civic was northbound on I-395 when it was sideswiped by a black sedan. The black car continued northbound at a high rate of speed. The driver of the Honda Civic, a 24-year-old Woodbridge woman, was transported to Inova Alexandria Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. She was wearing a seat belt and was the car’s only occupant.

Anyone with information about the black Toyota Camry with Tennessee plates is asked to please contact the Virginia State Police at 703-803-0026 or #77 on a cell phone.

Crime Report: Bomb Threat at Pentagon City Mall

By ARLnow.com
File photo

A bomb threat was phoned into the Pentagon City mall on Christmas Eve, according to the latest Arlington County weekly crime report.

The bomb threat was called in around 1:00 p.m., just before a “black lives matter” protest at the mall. It’s unclear if the threat was in any way connected to or in response to the protest.

BOMB THREAT, 141224021, 1100 block of S Hayes St. On 12/24/14 at 1304 hours, unknown suspect called in a bomb threat to the Pentagon City Mall. Nothing suspicious found in garage area and mall did not evacuate.

PROTEST, 141224033, 1100 block of S Hayes St. On 12/24/14 at 1432 hours, approximately 15 individuals protested at Pentagon City Mall. No arrests made.

Also in the crime report, an armed robbery occurred in the Rosslyn / Courthouse area. The incident happened early last Monday morning.

ROBBERY,141229005, 1800 block of N Wilson BL. On 12/29/14 at 0330 hours, an unknown suspect displayed a handgun while demanding cigarettes and cash. Suspect description is black male, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and jeans.

The rest of the weekly crime report, after the jump.

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Man Arrested Inside Clarendon Apple Store

By ARLnow.com

Man arrested in the Apple Store (photo courtesy Clayton Lott) Police cars outside the Apple Store

(Updated at 10:50 a.m.) Police tackled and arrested a theft suspect inside the Clarendon Apple Store on Tuesday.

The incident happened around 4:15 p.m., at the store at 2700 Clarendon Blvd. We’re told that the suspect tried to use stolen credit cards at the store, then tried to flee when police arrived. He was tackled and taken into custody.

As police confronted the suspect, one officer erroneously radioed that he had a gun. That prompted a large police response to the scene, but ultimately no gun was found.

“While officers were attempting to arrest the suspect, he resisted arrest violently and during the struggle, one of the officer’s ammunition magazines became dislodged from its carrier,” Arlington County Police Department spokesman Lt. Kip Malcolm told ARLnow.com. “The officer, who was still struggling with the suspect, saw the magazine and believed it to be from the suspect so he requested additional backup. After the suspect was taken into custody, they were able to quickly determine that the suspect was not armed.”

Just two hours later, three more suspects were arrested at the Apple Store for “attempting to obtain iPhones through false pretenses,” Malcolm said in an email.

“As the iPhone is viewed by many to be a valuable commodity, there are many attempts to fraudulently obtain or steal them from Apple Stores in the region,” he said. “Because there are a high concentration of Apple Stores in our region, suspects will often travel to the D.C. metropolitan area to perpetrate these crimes.”

No injuries were reported.

Photo (left) courtesy Clayton Lott

Crime Report: Violent, Drunken Cab Fare Dispute

By ARLnow.com

Old Arlington County police car paint job (file photo)A woman was arrested for public drunkenness and assaulting police officers after a cab fare dispute last week.

On Tuesday, Dec. 23, just before 6:00 p.m., police responded to an address near the Rosslyn Metro for a cab fare dispute, a fairly routine call. However, the taxi passenger was found to be drunk in public and was arrested — and she didn’t go down without a fight, police say.

The woman allegedly kicked two police officers as she was being loaded into the patrol car, injuring them.

From this week’s Arlington County crime report:

BATTERY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (2 COUNTS) / DRUNK IN PUBLIC,141223047, 1800 block of N. Nash St, On 12/23/14 at 1752 hours, officers responded for a cabfare dispute. The suspect was located and she was intoxicated in public. After the suspect was arrested, she kicked two police officers as she was being loaded into the patrol vehicle. Both officers sustained minor injuries and the suspect was held without bond.

Also in this week’s crime report, a woman reported being sexually assaulted in Ballston by a man with whom she went on a date. The alleged crime happened after she used the man’s bathroom, as she was trying to leave to go home.

SEXUAL ASSAULT, 141217058, 900 block of N Stuart St, A female victim told police that between 2030 hours and 2115 hours on 12/17/14, she went to a restaurant with a known male subject. She dropped him off at his residence and requested to use the bathroom before heading home. Upon doing so, she was pushed onto his bed where he she was sexually assaulted. The victim spoke with detectives and the investigation continues.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump.

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Arlington Swears in 13 Police Officers, Five Deputies

By Ethan Rothstein

Arlington County Police Department swearing-in ceremony Friday, Dec. 19, 2004 (photo courtesy ACPD) Arlington County Police Department swearing-in ceremony Friday, Dec. 19, 2004 (photo courtesy ACPD)

Thirteen new police officers will soon be patrolling the streets of Arlington County after police academy graduation yesterday.

Of the 14 candidates who started in police academy, 13 will now begin training to become full-time ACPD officers, along with five sheriff’s deputies who also graduated from the academy. The officers were sworn in by Arlington Clerk of the Circuit Court Paul Ferguson on Friday, according to ACPD spokesman Lt. Kip Malcolm.

Two of the new officers won the physical fitness awards at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy, which also graduated officers from Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax County and city, Manassas, Prince Williams and Loudoun counties and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, among other departments.

An Arlington officer also was given the Thomas L. Shaw Award for displaying “characteristics of professionalism, dedication and leadership,” according to the ACPD’s Facebook page.

The newly sworn-in officers “will complete several weeks of in-house training before beginning their ‘field training,’ which is an 12 additional weeks of training on all three patrol shifts with a training officer,” Malcolm said.

Photos courtesy ACPD

Police Arrest Package Theft Suspect

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 2:45 p.m. on 12/23/21) Arlington County Police have arrested a man suspected of stealing dozens of packages from local homes.

There have been numerous reports of package thefts around Ballston this month. Yesterday afternoon, undercover cops patrolling the Ballston area, hoping to nab the suspect, observed a man acting suspiciously.

The man was seen “opening packages he took from doorsteps and removing the contents.” Keith [Redacted], 22, of District Heights, Md. and Washington D.C., was arrested and is now facing numerous criminal charges.

Police say [Redacted’s] alleged Grinch-like behavior actually dates back before the holiday season.

“It is believed that the suspect is responsible for at least 40 thefts of packages over the last several months,” police said in a press release.

The police arrested [Redacted] just in time for the holidays, it seems. ACPD spokesman Lt. Kip Malcolm told ARLnow.com that some of the items [Redacted] has stoled have “been recovered with their owners identified.” Many more unclaimed items were found, so the ACPD is encouraging those who have been victims of package theft to contact the department at its non-emergency number, 703-558-2222.

The full release, after the jump.

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Two Arrested After Buckingham Armed Robbery

By ARLnow.com

Police car (file photo)Two men have been arrested following an armed robbery in the Buckingham neighborhood early Sunday morning.

The incident happened around 3:15 a.m. on the 200 block of N. Piedmont Street. Police say a 40 year old man was walking in the area when he was approached by a suspect who brandished a knife and stole his wallet. A second suspect served as a lookout during the robbery.

The victim called 911, and 49-year-old Arlington resident Lamont Jackson, the alleged lookout, was quickly taken into custody. Police continued to search for the other suspect, calling in the Fairfax County Police helicopter and at least one Arlington K-9 unit.

The suspect was not found, but police were able to identify him as 29-year-old Anthony Robinson, of Arlington.

“Detectives from the Arlington County Police Department’s Robbery/Homicide Unit were able to identify Robinson through their investigations and obtained a warrant charging him with armed robbery,” according to Arlington County Police. “Robinson turned himself in at the Arlington County Police Department on Monday morning, December 22.”

Police: Robbery Suspect Hit Gift Shop Three Times

By ARLnow.com
1/3

Last week, we reported on a gift shop in Ballston that had been robbed not once but twice by the same armed robber.

It turns out, the same guy has actually robbed the store three times in the past month or so.

Police say the man, pictured above, robbed the City News and Gift Shop inside 950 N. Stafford Street on Nov. 8, Dec. 3 and Dec. 4. The first time, he displayed a handgun and demanded money. The second time, he displayed a “large kitchen knife” and demanded money and Newport cigarettes. The third time, he again flashed a gun and demanded money.

Arlington County Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the man. The police department’s press release, below.

The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying an armed robbery suspect who has robbed a Ballston convenience store on three occasions and has been captured on surveillance video.

On November 8, 2014, the suspect entered the City News and Gift Shop located inside 950 N. Stafford Street at approximately 3:10 PM. The suspect was wearing black pants and was layered in a Washington Nationals jacket over a red and white striped polo shirt which was over a black hoodie. The suspect displayed a handgun tucked into his front waistband and demanded money. After the robbery, the suspect fled towards Fairfax Drive.

On December 3, 2014, it is believed that the same suspect entered the City News and Gift Shop at approximately 2:55 pm. This time the suspect was wearing black pants and a black jacket layered over a tan hoodie. The suspect displayed a large kitchen knife, demanded money and Newport brand cigarettes before fleeing towards the Ballston Metrorail station.

On December 4, 2014, the same suspect entered the City News and Gift Shop at approximately 8:20 pm. The suspect appeared to be wearing the same clothing as the day before with blue jeans. During this robbery, the suspect again displayed a handgun before demanding money. It is believed that the suspect fled again towards the Ballston Metrorail station after the robbery.

The suspect is described as a black male in his 20s-30s, approximately 5’8″ to 5’10” tall, with a medium build. In all three robberies, he appears to be wearing black and white soled tennis shoes, similar to Converse All-Stars, and a black beanie-style winter cap.

There were no reported injuries during any of these armed robberies

If anyone has information on the identity and/or whereabouts of this individual, please contact Detective P. Mulvaney of the Arlington County Homicide/Robbery Unit at (703) 228-4239 or [email protected]. Anonymous tips can also be provided through the Arlington County Crime Solvers Hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Crime Report: The Gift Shop That Keeps Giving to an Armed Robber

By ARLnow.com

Arlington police carLast week, a gift shop in Ballston was robbed twice in as many days by the same guy.

A man stole $450 at knifepoint on Wednesday, Dec. 3, then came back the next day and stole $400 at gunpoint, according to police.

From this week’s Arlington County crime report:

ARMED ROBBERY, 141203034, 900 block of N Stafford St, On 12/3/14 at 1501 hours, an unknown male entered the store and demanded money from the victim at knife point. The suspect was given $450.00 from the cash register then fled on foot towards the Ballston Metro. The victim confirmed this was the same suspect who robbed this store several weeks ago. The suspect is described as as black male, 5’08”-5’10”, medium build, 170 lbs, wearing a black coat with leather sleeves, black pants, a black beanie, a tan hoodie pulled halfway over the beanie, and black shoes with white soles. The knife is described as a large kitchen knife, 8-10″ in length with a black handle and silver blade. The suspect was seen entering the Metro platform through the handicap gate without paying and jumping on a train just prior to police arrival.

ARMED ROBBERY,141204049, 900 block of N Stafford St, On 12/4/14 at 2020 hours, an unknown male entered and robbed the gift shop at gunpoint. After the clerk gave the subject $400.00, the subject fled on foot towards the Ballston Metro. The subject is described as a black male, 5’08”-5’10”, medium build, a tan hoodie underneath a black leather coat, blue jeans, black beanie, and black shoes with white soles. The gun was held in the subject’s right hand. It is believed this is the same subject that robbed the store yesterday at knife point.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump.

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Package Thefts Reported in Ballston

By ARLnow.com

Package (file photo)Arlington County Police are investigating a series of package thefts from homes around Ballston.

The thefts took place on Monday the 1100 blocks of N. Randolph Street and N. Vermont Street, and on the 4100 and 4400 blocks of Washington Blvd.

Police say as many as 10 packages sent to those addresses were found opened and tossed into nearby bushes. The perpetrator may have been spotted by a local resident, but was able to flee the scene.

“A witness told police he observed a subject walking around in a narrow walkway typically used by residents only,” according to a crime report. “The witness initiated contact with the subject who provided vague answers then left the area quickly. The subject is described as a black male, early 20’s, 6’01”, thin build, wearing a dark colored winter hat with a thin white line around the top, and carrying a large black or blue duffel bag.”

A man roughly fitting that description was spotted by a resident in Ballston this afternoon, running with an Amazon.com box. Police are on the scene, looking for the suspect.

ACPD spokesman Lt. Kip Malcolm says package thefts seem to be prevalent during the holidays.

“Our District Team is aware of these cases and will be working on notifying the community to be vigilant during the holidays for this type of criminal activity,” Malcolm said. “I have seen several stories in the media recently about ‘package thefts’ so these are not uncommon thefts during the holiday season.”

Malcolm noted that the call to police on Monday was placed too late, and asked residents to report suspicious activity when they see it.

“Unfortunately there was a substantial delay in reporting the suspicious person,” he said. “We would like to remind members of our community to report suspicious activity to the Emergency Communications Center, 703.558.2222, whenever they see something.”

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