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Crime Report: Criminals Take a Vacation

Published August 15, 2013 at 1:00PM | Updated January 9, 2018 at 3:44PM

This week’s Arlington County crime report is exceptionally short.

While not a definitive list of criminal activity in Arlington, this week’s crime report only contains three items. From the Arlington County Police Department:

ARMED ROBBERY, 08/11/13, 6000 block of N. Wilson Boulevard. At 11:20 pm on August 11, a victim was approached by two unknown males brandishing firearms and wearing ski masks on the sidewalk. The subjects took the victims cell phone and bible and then fled the scene on foot into a wooded area. A police K9 and helicopter search were initiated but were unsuccessful in locating the suspects. The suspects were described as Hispanic males.

ARMED ROBBERY, 08/08/13, 6000 block of N. Wilson Boulevard. At 12:44 am on August 8, a victim was allegedly robbed at knifepoint of his iPhone 5 by three unknown suspects. The suspects were described as Hispanic males with black shirts covering their faces.

DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY (SERIES), 08/07/13, 1000 block of Quinn Street. Between 2:45 and 6:40 am on August 7, an unknown subject(s) slashed the tires of 10 vehicles. There is no suspect(s) description.

Armed Robbers Steal Bible, Cell Phone

By ARLnow.com

Published August 13, 2013 at 10:30AM

A pair of gun-toting men robbed someone of a cell phone and a bible along Wilson Blvd Sunday night.

The armed men approached the victim on the 6000 block of Wilson Blvd around 11:20 p.m. Sunday. Wearing ski masks, the men took the victim’s cell phone and a bible, then fled on foot into a wooded area, according to Arlington County police.

Police K-9 units, along with Fairfax County and U.S. Park Police helicopters, were brought in to try to find the suspects, who were described only as Hispanic males. The men were not located and remain at large.

Morning Notes

By Katie Pyzyk

Published August 9, 2013 at 9:00AM | Updated August 9, 2013 at 2:23PM

Fish and Wildlife Service Nears Lease Deal in Falls Church — Vornado Realty Trust is reportedly close to securing a lease deal that would move the Fish and Wildlife Service out of Ballston and into Falls Church. The deal would send the agency’s 2,100 employees to 5275 Leesburg Pike in the Skyline area. [Washington Business Journal]

Man Pleads Guilty in Pentagon City Robbery — Walter Douglas, who was arrested in June, has pleaded guilty to a string of smash and grab robberies, including the March 19 Tourneau store robbery at the Pentagon City mall. Douglas admitted he was an organizer of the group that allegedly carried out the robberies, and he pleaded guilty to a federal robbery charge and a robbery-conspiracy charge. He reports the group stole between $800,000 and $1.5 million in high end goods. Douglas will be sentenced on November 8. [Washington Post]

Police Seek Assistance Identifying Thieves — The Arlington County Police Department is requesting the public’s help with identifying two people accused of entering office buildings and stealing wallets. The two are believed to have taken part in a wallet theft in the 4600 block of N. Fairfax Drive on June 25, and another on the 1600 block of N. Wilson Blvd on July 8. They were caught on surveillance video using the stolen credit cards at a CVS store. Surveillance photos of the suspects and police contact information can be found on the press release. [Arlington County Police Department]

Arlington Band Makes Fortune Magazine’s Finals — An in-house rock band at Excella Consulting, a technology consulting firm based in Courthouse, is a finalist in Fortune magazine’s 13th annual Battle of the Corporate Bands. The band, Detached Retina, will compete at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on September 28, along with seven other finalists. The contest’s proceeds benefit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. [Excella Consulting]

Tire Slashing Spree in Arlington View

By Katie Pyzyk

Published August 8, 2013 at 3:30PM

Police are investigating a tire slashing spree, a little more than two weeks after a similar incident.

Ten vehicles in the Arlington View neighborhood, located along the Columbia Pike corridor, were discovered with their tires slashed yesterday. Police say all the incidents occurred between 2:45 a.m. and 6:40 a.m. A screwdriver was found nearby and police believe it may have used to destroy the tires, although there is no suspect description.

Even though this bears similarities to the incident from last month when 16 vehicles — mostly Priuses — had their tires slashed, police have not yet said there is a connection.

“This time all the cars struck were in a three block radius in the same neighborhood. Last time it was mostly a certain make and model around the county,” said Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. “Right now, it’s hard to determine if they’re definitely related.”

Anyone who may have seen a suspicious person or vehicle in the Arlington View neighborhood in the early morning hours of August 7 is asked to call the police non-emergency number at 703-558-2222.

Crime Report: Laundry Room Masturbation

By Ethan Rothstein

Published August 8, 2013 at 9:30AM | Updated January 9, 2018 at 3:44PM

A man is accused of mastubating in a laundry room in the Buckingham area Monday afternoon.

According to this week’s Arlington County crime report, the suspect did the deed in front of a woman who was in the laundry room at the time.

EXPOSURE, 08/05/13, 400 block of N. Park Drive. At 4 p.m. on August 5, a unknown male subject began to masturbate in front of a female victim in a apartment building laundry room. The subject fled the scene and is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5’8″ tall and 180 lbs. He was wearing a red baseball hat and a red t- shirt with blue sleeves.

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

(more…)

Peaceful Walk to Honor Two Murder Victims

By Katie Pyzyk

Published August 6, 2013 at 4:30PM | Updated August 6, 2013 at 4:58PM

(Updated at 5:00 p.m.) As the one year mark of the still unsolved Hall’s Hill double murder approaches, the community has come together for an event to honor victims Keefe Spriggs and Carl Moten.

The two men were found dead in an apartment in the 1900 block of N. Culpeper Street on August 7 last year. Although initially referred to as “suspicious deaths,” police quickly re-classified the incident as a double homicide. No weapon was found at the scene and the murders are considered an isolated incident.

To honor the memory of 59-year-old Spriggs and 31-year-old Moten, neighbors planned a peaceful walk that will take place tonight. Organizers believe up to 100 people may participate in the walk, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at High View Park on N. Dinwiddie Street. Police do not plan to work crowd control because the peaceful event will keep to the sidewalks and no road closures are needed.

Shortly after the murders last year, members gathered for a candlelight vigil for Spriggs and Moten. Dozens of people showed up to take part in the singing, prayer and poetry reading.

Police have not released any new information about the homicides, but confirm the investigation is still open. Anyone who may have information about the murders should call Det. Robert Wright at 703-228-4197. To report information anonymously, contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866-411-TIPS (8477).

Photo courtesy WJLA/ABC 7

Activities Planned for National Night Out Tonight

By Katie Pyzyk

Published August 6, 2013 at 9:45AM | Updated August 6, 2013 at 2:50PM

(Updated at 12:50 p.m.) Residents across the county are encouraged to head out tonight to meet their neighbors at the activities planned for National Night Out.

At National Night Out, neighbors take a stand against crime in their communities. They strengthen relationships with each other and the police officers who patrol the neighborhoods. The event is held across the country on the first Tuesday in August and is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Arlington has events planned for the occasion at the following six locations:

Arlington Forest Ice Cream Social — 200 block of N. Galveston Street, 7:30 p.m.–TBD
Barcroft Community House — 800 S. Buchanan Street, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Fairlington Community Center — 3005 S. Abingdon Street, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Nauck Neighborhood at Drew Model Elementary School — 3500 S. 23rd Street, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Park Glen Condominium Courtyard — 800 block of S. Arlington Mill Drive, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Columbia Knoll Condominiums at Greenbriar Baptist Church — 5401 S. 7th Road, 6:30–8:00 p.m.

Police officers will be on hand at each of the locations to chat with neighbors and to answer questions about current crime trends. They can also answer questions about general safety and offer neighborhood-specific suggestions for staying safe.

Everyone is welcome to attend the family friendly festivities.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published August 5, 2013 at 8:40AM

Dave Grohl Spotted in Shirlington — Foo Fighters frontman and Northern Virginia native Dave Grohl was spotted strolling through Shirlington with his family Thursday night. [Washington Post]

Growth at Arlington Pediatric Center –The number of newborns treated at the Arlington Pediatric Center (601 S. Carlin Springs Road) last year jumped by 270 percent compared to one year prior. The increase was credited to the fact that infants born at Virginia Hospital Center without a designated pediatrician are automatically provided care at the nonprofit center. VHC, meanwhile, has seen an increase in birth rates in recent years. [Sun Gazette]

National Night Out Tomorrow — Arlington County Police will participate in National Night Out tomorrow. “Arlington County residents will join their neighbors, police officers and other community leaders” at six events across the county. National Night Out is intended to raise crime awareness, strengthen neighborhood ties and enhance community partnerships with law enforcement. [Arlington County]

Courtesy photo

ACPD Releases Theft Stats for 2013

By ARLnow.com

Published August 1, 2013 at 1:00PM

The Arlington County Police Department has released new data in an effort to help residents protect themselves from theft.

The department created an infographic with statistics about two common types of theft — residential burglaries and larcenies from auto — for the first seven months of 2013.

Armed with knowledge like the most common day and time for break-ins, and the most commonly stolen items, police say residents can make smarter choices — for instance, making sure GPS units and laptops aren’t left in plain sight for thieves to find.

An average of 14 homes are burglarized in Arlington each month, with an average stolen item value of $854. An average of 68 vehicles are broken-into each month, with an average of $286 worth of items stolen.

“We’re informing the residents of Arlington County of some of the trends we’re seeing in the first half of 2013 calendar year,” ACPD spokesman Dustin Sternbeck said of the graphic. “We’re deploying resources based on this information.”

Break-Ins at Dunkin’ Donuts

By ARLnow.com

Published August 1, 2013 at 11:00AM | Updated August 1, 2013 at 11:18AM

Two Arlington Dunkin’ Donuts stores were broken into overnight.

The Courthouse and Cherrydale Dunkin’ Donuts locations, on the 2200 block of Wilson Blvd and the 3500 block of Lee Highway, were closed this morning while police investigated the crime.

According to Arlington County Police Department spokesman Dustin Sternbeck, two suspects forced entry to the restaurants via the front door, then broke into the cash register and took cash. The store safe was tampered with, but was not opened, Sternbeck said.

Police are currently reviewing surveillance footage as part of the investigation.

Hat tip to Bill Everingham

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published August 1, 2013 at 8:55AM | Updated August 1, 2013 at 2:49PM

Concern Over License Plate Readers — Automated License Plate Readers, or LPRs, are mounted on Arlington County Police cruisers, allowing cops to see instantly if a car driving by is stolen or if its owner is wanted. The police department also stores the data collected by the LPRs for six months, to aid in investigations. The American Civil Liberties Union, however, is concerned about the data storage, saying police departments are “storing everybody’s time, place, and location.” [Voice of America]

Meat Returns to Galaxy Hut — Nine months after switching to an all-vegetarian menu, Galaxy Hut in Clarendon is again offering bacon, pulled pork, beef chili and other meat dishes. While veggie dishes will still be offered, owner Lary Hoffman blames lack of sales for his decision to ditch the vegetarian-only menu. [Washington Post]

No More Playboy at the Pentagon — Army and Air Force Exchange stores, which operate at the Pentagon and Fort Myer, among other military installations, have stopped carrying a third of its magazine collection. Among the magazines no longer available, due to declining interest, are Playboy, Penthouse and American Curves. [Sun Gazette]

NewsChannel 8 to Be National Model — Sinclair Broadcast Group, which is buying WJLA, plans to use NewsChannel 8, the station’s 24-hour local cable news channel, as a model for markets across the country. Sinclair will create a “hybrid” channel that airs local news produced by local stations and national news produced by WJLA. [Baltimore Sun]

Mobility Lab Wins Award — Arlington County’s “start-up think-tank,” Mobility Lab, has won a top award from the Association for Commuter Transportation. Mobility Lab “researches and creates solutions for transportation options that are cool, healthy, fun, and efficient.” [Arlington County]