police

ACPD: No Plans to Alter Pot Enforcement

By ARLnow.com

MarijuanaThe D.C. council yesterday passed a bill that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana, but so far there are no plans to change marijuana laws or enforcement in Arlington.

The D.C. bill, which is expected to be signed by Mayor Vincent Gray, would make the possession of less than an ounce of marijuana a civil offense punishable by a $25 fine. Under the District’s current laws marijuana possession is a crime, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

In Virginia, state law makes marijuana possession a crime punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine for a first offense, and up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine for subsequent offenses. There are no proposals in the Virginia General Assembly this year to change that, and police in Arlington County say they have no plans to change the way they enforce the law.

The decriminalization of pot in the District “will have no effect on our policies or procedures,” Arlington County Police Department spokesman Dustin Sternbeck tells ARLnow.com. “We will continue to enforce all laws in the same manner we currently do.”

In other words, District residents who bring marijuana into Virginia shouldn’t expect any leniency from police, despite the fact that an infraction that could cost less than a parking ticket in D.C. is punishable by jail time in the Commonwealth.

In 2012, Del. David Englin (D), who represented part of Arlington, proposed studying whether Virginia ABC stores should sell marijuana. Englin’s measure failed in committee.

Police to Conduct DUI Checkpoint Friday

By ARLnow.com

dui-checkpoint-abc7Arlington cops will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint Friday night.

The Arlington County Police Department and the Arlington Sheriff’s Office will jointly conduct the DUI checkpoint at an as-yet undisclosed location in the county. It’s part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” drunk driving crackdown.

“Officers will stop all vehicles passing through the checkpoint and ask to see the licenses of drivers,” ACPD said in a press release. “Any driver suspected of operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be directed to a safe area off the roadway for further observation and possible testing for intoxication.”

The maximum penalty in Virginia for a first DUI conviction is 12 months in jail, a $2,500 fine and a 12-month suspension of driving privileges.

File photo via WJLA

Capital One Branch Robbed on Columbia Pike

By ARLnow.com

Suspect in the robbery of a Capital One branch on Columbia Pike (photo courtesy ACPD)Arlington County Police and the FBI are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who robbed a bank on Columbia Pike Friday evening.

The Capital One branch on the 3500 block of Columbia Pike was robbed around 5:40 p.m. A suspect approached a teller, implied a weapon and demanded money. He fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.

No one was hurt during the robbery.

“The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5’5” to 5’8” tall, with a medium build and wearing all dark clothing,” police said in a press release.

“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],” police said. “Anonymous tips can also be provided through the Arlington County Crime Solvers Hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).”

Crime Report: Fight at 7-Eleven

By ARLnow.com
File photo

A large fight broke out at a 7-Eleven store in the Clarendon area early Sunday morning.

Two people were arrested and charged with malicious wounding by mob after allegedly assaulting a 24-year-old victim. From this week’s Arlington County crime report:

MALICIOUS WOUNDING BY MOB, 140223010, 3000 block of N. Washington Boulevard.  On February 23 at 2 am, approximately five subjects assaulted a 24 year-old victim inside a 7-11 store.  Chase Bartalone, 25, of Herndon, VA, and Jordan Andreasen, 25, of Broadlands, VA were arrested and charged with malicious wounding by mob. They were held without bond.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump. All named suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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Police Warn of Jury Duty Phone Scam

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County police logoThe Arlington County Police Department is warning of a phone scam that’s targeting Arlington residents.

According to police, residents are getting a call from someone fraudulently claiming to be from the Arlington Sheriff’s Office.

The caller then demands the resident pay a “fine” for supposedly not appearing for jury duty.

From an ACPD press release:

At least three incidents were reported yesterday, February 24, 2014, where Arlington residents received a phone call from an individual claiming to be a Lieutenant with the Sheriff’s Office. Each time, the victim is accused of failing to appear for jury duty and a warrant for their arrest will be issued unless a fine is paid immediately via a moneypak card. The amount of the fictitious fine has ranged from $150-$350.

If you receive a call of this nature, immediately hang up with the caller and verify the claim by calling the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office at 703.228.4460. Never use a phone number provided to you from the caller to verify their credibility.

After making a verification call, if you find that you were a victim of a scam or were a target, please file an online police report athttp://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/police/incident/new/start-report.html or call the non emergency police line at 703.558.2222.

Video: Police Seek Assault Suspects

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County police are looking for three suspects in an early morning brawl at the DoubleTree hotel in Pentagon City (300 Army Navy Drive) Sunday.

“Surveillance video captured the suspects in the lobby area at approximately 3:16 a.m. as they taunt two couples as they entered the hotel,” according to police. “Following the comments, the three suspects charge after the victims and a physical altercation ensues, leaving one of the victim’s unconscious on the floor. The suspects flee the scene after hotel security arrive and are again captured on surveillance video exiting the front door.”

The victim was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police are asking anyone who might recognize the suspects to contact investigators.

“If anyone has information on the identity and/or whereabouts of these individuals, please contact Detective Paula Brockenborough of the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703.228.4241 or at [email protected],” said a police press release. “To report information anonymously, contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866.411.TIPS (8477).”

Police: Break-In Suspect Fondled Sleeping Woman

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 2:25 p.m. on 12/23/21) A Woodbridge man is in jail after police say he broke into an apartment and started fondling a woman as she slept.

Joshua [Redacted], 23, has been charged with burglary with intent to commit rape and sexual assault and battery. Police say he broke a window and gained entry into an apartment on the 4500 block of Arlington Blvd, near the National Guard Readiness Center, around 3:00 a.m. this past Sunday morning. Once inside, police say he started touching a woman who was in bed asleep.

“[Redacted] entered the victim’s bedroom and began to fondle her as she slept,” according to an Arlington County Police Department press release. “The 36 year-old female awoke at approximately 3:10 a.m., as [Redacted] was lying next to her and screamed. The victim ran to the lobby of her apartment complex and called police.”

“As officers were conducting their initial search of the apartment, a male subject matching [Redacted’s] description was seen standing outside the rear of the residence,” the press release continued. “A foot pursuit ensued and [Redacted] was taken into custody.”

[Redacted] was denied bond and is currently being held at the Arlington County Detention Facility.

Man Arrested After Fatal Stabbing in Fairfax County

By ARLnow.com

Police car lightsA man was arrested in Arlington after a fatal stabbing just across the border in Fairfax County this morning, according to police.

Fairfax County Police say they responded to the 2900 block of John Marshall Drive, in the Seven Corners area, around 6:15 a.m. for a report of a stabbing. There, they found a man dead and a woman injured inside an apartment.

Responding officers located the suspect nearby and took him into custody, according to a Fairfax County police spokesman. The suspect and the officer were hurt during the arrest. The officer, the suspect and the injured woman were all taken to a nearby hospital with what are only described as non-life-threatening injuries.

The incident is being investigated as a homicide.

The arrest of the suspect took place in or around Upton Hill Park in Arlington, according to Arlington County Police Department spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

Update at 6:35 p.m. — Fairfax County Police have released the following press release about the crime.

Police are investigating an early morning homicide in the Falls Church area. Officers were dispatched to an apartment in the 2900 block of John Marshall Drive around 6:18 a.m. on Thursday, February 20, for a reported stabbing. They located an adult male deceased inside the apartment and an adult female with injuries. The suspect fled the apartment on foot prior to the officers’ arrival.

The police helicopter located the suspect hiding outside, near the apartment complex and led patrol officers to him. Both the suspect and one police officer were injured during the apprehension. The police officer, the suspect and the female victim were all transported to the hospital and treated for non life-threatening injuries.

The deceased has been identified as Alvaro Zepeda, 44, of 2903 John Marshall Drive, in Falls Church.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

Crime Report: Rumble in the DoubleTree

By ARLnow.com

Police responded to the DoubleTree hotel in Pentagon City on Sunday afternoon for a large fight.

According to this week’s Arlington County crime report, as many as 10-20 people were fighting in the hotel lobby.

ASSAULT BY MOB/MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 140216011, 300 block of S. Army Navy Drive. On February 16 at 3:20pm, police responded to a report of approximately 10 to 20 people fighting in a hotel lobby. Four victims were at the scene when police arrived. One victim was transported to Virginia Hospital Center. One suspect is described as a black male with dreadlocks, but otherwise there is no further suspect information. The investigation is ongoing.

The rest of this week’s crime report, after the jump. All named suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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Do-Gooders Help Police Chase Down Alleged Thief

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 2:20 p.m on 12/23/21) Two shoppers helped the Arlington County Police Department arrest a suspect accused of robbery in Ballston yesterday.

The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. on the 900 block of N. Stuart Street, about a block away from Ballston Common Mall.

The suspect — Zachary [Redacted], 22, of Springfield, Va. — allegedly pushed a 65-year-old man down while he was trying to withdraw money from an ATM and stole the man’s two wallets. According to police, that’s when two witnesses took action.

“Two patrons of an adjacent shop witnessed the robbery and immediately chased the suspect on foot,” according to a police press release. “During the chase, one of the witnesses was able to flag down an Arlington County officer, who joined the chase and apprehended the suspect shortly after in a parking lot in the 4200 block of Fairfax Drive.”

The victim was not hurt. [Redacted] was charged with robbery. He’s currently being held at the Arlington County Detention Facility after his bond was denied.

Update at 5 p.m. — [Redacted] is a competitive figure skater and works as a skating coach at nearby Kettler Capitals Iceplex, we’re told.

BREAKING: Barcroft Elementary Locked Down After Assault

By ARLnow.com

Barcroft Elementary School 2-19-14(Updated at 2:15 p.m.) Barcroft Elementary School was briefly locked down this morning after an incident involving a cafeteria worker.

Police say a cafeteria manager got into a verbal and physical altercation with school administrators around 11:15 a.m. The altercation moved to a cafeteria office — out of view of students — where the manager punched an assistant principal, threw water on him, and then brandished a knife in a threatening manner, according to Arlington County Police Department spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

Police were called to the school. Upon arrival, the suspect threatened officers, said she had a gun and then reached into a bag, Sternbeck said. The woman was tased by police. No gun was found, but she was in possession of the knife, Sternbeck said.

Paramedics evaluated the suspect and she was then transported to Virginia Hospital Center on a mental evaluation order. The assistant principal was not injured. So far the school system is not pressing charges.

“While we understand that many people would like to have additional details of this incident, it is considered a personnel matter, and we cannot divulge additional information,” Barcroft principal Colette Bounet said in a written statement. “I want to assure everyone that students are safe and were not affected by the occurrence.”

The school was locked down for about five minutes during the incident, according to Sternbeck.

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