police

BREAKING NEWS — Arrests Made in 2009 Murder

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 4:00 p.m.) Police have made two arrests in the 2009 murder of Carl Diener.

Diener, a 57-year-old Lyon Village resident, was found lying dead on a Clarendon street early on the morning of Dec. 29, 2009. Late last year, friends and family held a vigil to mark the one year anniversary of Diener’s death, and to draw public attention to the police department’s continued effort to find clues about the case. With today’s announcement, those efforts seem to have paid off.

The two men arrested are both in their early 20s. One was arrested in Montgomery County, Md. and the other was arrested in the District, according to police.

Patti Diener Lough, Carl’s sister, says she hopes the arrests will help her family and the community feel safer.

“I’m just thrilled,” she told ARLnow.com. “The Arlington County Police obviously didn’t consider this a cold case. I don’t believe that they would be making an arrest if they didn’t have information that was going to stick.”

“I am just glad that we’re going to have some more information” about the case, Diener Lough added. “It doesn’t change anything. Nothing can bring Carl back, of course. But it will allow the family and the Arlington community to process this and feel better and safer.”

Diener Lough said the arrests support what she has believed all along — that the murder a “crime of opportunity” by multiple assailants who did not know Carl.

Here’s the press release from the Arlington County Police Department.

The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit announces several arrests related to the homicide that occurred on December 29, 2009. At 2:50 a.m. that morning, medic units and police responded to a call regarding an injured man lying on the street in the 3200 block of N. 13th Street. They located Carl Diener, 57, an Arlington resident, deceased.

Detectives have conducted an extensive investigation over the past year and a half and obtained warrants charging Roger K. Clark III, 20, of Severn, Maryland, and Javon Martin, 24, of Washington D.C. with Murder. Roger Clark III, was arrested on June 6, 2011, and Javon Martin was arrested on June 8, 2011. They are pending extradition to Virginia.

“I am extremely pleased with our detectives’ investigation,” stated Arlington County Police Chief M. Douglas Scott, “It illustrates that there are no “cold cases” in Arlington; we continue to investigate crimes long after they occur.”

Diener’s death was a shock to the Clarendon community. His family, friends, and concerned business owners took up a collection of $25,000 for information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for his death. They also held several vigils and benefits in his memory.

The Arlington County Police Department would like to thank the men and women of the Washington Field Office of The Federal Bureau of Investigation, The United States Marshals Service, the Montgomery County Police Department and the Metropolitan Police Department for their assistance in locating these fugitives.

Anyone who has additional information about this case is asked contact Detective Rosa Ortiz at (703) 228-7402. Det. Ortiz can also be contacted via e-mail at [email protected]. Witnesses can also call the Arlington Police Tip-Line at (703) 228-4242.

Guard Attacked by Former Inmate on the Pike

By ARLnow.com

An off-duty Arlington County Detention Center guard was assaulted by a former inmate outside a 7-Eleven on the 3000 block of Columbia Pike this afternoon, authorities tell ARLnow.com.

The guard, an Arlington sheriff’s deputy, was treated at a hospital after the attack, according to Maj. Mike Pinson of the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office. The injured deputy was spotted talking to police officers after the attack while wearing a small head bandage and an arm sling, but Pinson was unable to confirm the exact nature of his injuries.

The alleged assailant, meanwhile, was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for injuries that Pinson described as “minor.” The photo above shows the man handcuffed while being photographed and interviewed by police. Pinson said charges are pending against the man, a former inmate.

Attacks against sheriff’s deputies who work at the lockup are “infrequent,” Pinson said.

Woman Arrested After HOV Violation

By ARLnow.com

A woman was arrested last week after being pulled over in Shirlington for an alleged HOV violation on I-395.

Police say 28-year-old Juanita Maxwell ignored orders to stay in her vehicle, then refused to comply with other police commands. According to the police report, she called 911 and then fought officers as they attempted to place her under arrest.

Maxwell was charged with resisting arrest and false summoning of law enforcement. She also received summons for an HOV violation and a window tint violation. She was released on a $1,250 bond.

Old Red Light Camera in Rosslyn To Be Taken Down

By ARLnow.com

The red light camera that once issued tickets at the intersection of Wilson Boulevard and N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn is set to be taken down.

While the camera hasn’t been functional in years, its housing is still keeping a constant vigil at the busy intersection. Police tell us, however, that they’re planning on taking the camera down in about a month.

Arlington currently has four working red light cameras: NB N. Lynn Street at EB Lee Highway, SB Ft. Myer Drive at WB Lee Highway, NB N. Glebe Road at Fairfax Drive and NB Washington Blvd at Lee Highway. In Virginia, the fines from red light cameras are limited to $50.

Suspect Arrested After Chase Through Ballston

By ARLnow.com

Police have apprehended a suspect after a foot chase through Ballston.

Initial reports suggest that a man fled on foot from some sort of incident in Ballston Common Mall while armed with a knife. Police chased the suspect for several blocks. He was finally apprehended near Carpool restaurant (4000 Fairfax Drive).

Medics are responding to the scene to treat an injured security guard.

Update at 11:30 a.m. on 6/7/11 — The police department has released the following description of the incident.

ATTEMPT MALICIOUS WOUNDING-ARREST, 06/06/11, 4200 block of Wilson Boulevard. On June 6 at 4:25 pm, a man assaulted a mall security guard and left the area. He then returned with a knife and damaged some office items. When police first located him, he ran, but was apprehended. Deandre Davis, 30, of Arlington, was charged with Attempted Malicious Wounding, Assault and Battery, Destruction of Property and Trespassing. He was held without bond.

ACPD to Get Night Vision Goggles, Training

By ARLnow.com

Criminals in Arlington will soon be afraid of the dark.

The Arlington County Police Department is set to receive 19 night vision goggles, valued at $178,125, as a result of a federal Homeland Security grant. Another $37,430 in grant money will cover training for ACPD’s tactical team, which will be using the goggles.

The equipment has an estimated life span of 5 to 7 years.

The funding for the goggles are part of a larger $1.6 million grant designed “to increase response capabilities of tactical teams [within] the National Capital Region.”

Update at 4:10 p.m. — The goggles “will provide the SWAT team with the capability to operate in low light situations such as buildings without power, wooded areas at night, etc.,” said Capt. Kevin Reardon of the police department’s Homeland Security Section.

Prom-Bound Wakefield Students Learn About DUI Risks

By ARLnow.com

Wakefield High School held its annual Prom Promise anti-drunk-driving event today, but it was a bit different than years past.

Instead of a large indoor assembly with PowerPoint slides, a speaker and staged demonstrations, the police department decided to take things outside. Groups of students lined up to try their hand at driving golf carts around a cone course while wearing “drunk goggles.”

“This year I wanted to do something that’s more interactive, where all the kids get to participate,” said Cpl. Kyle Anderson, who helped to organize the event.

With the goggles simulating the distorted sense of reality and slowed reaction time of 3-5 drinks, students invariably found themselves driving slower than usual and, often, veering well off-course.

“It’s not to train them how to drive drunk,” Anderson said. “It’s to give them an idea just how bad they drive when they have a drink.”

Anderson said prom promise is held this time of year because teens are “statistically more likely to get into DUI situation” around prom and graduation season. Golf carts for the simulation were donated by Army Navy Country Club.

1/6

 

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

“Discriminatory” Rolling Thunder Checkpoint? — The American Motorcyclist Association has a beef with Arlington County. The group says that Arlington police conducted a “motorcycle-only checkpoint” on Saturday during Rolling Thunder. Calling the practice “discriminatory,” the association has sent letters expressing “concern” to Gov. Bob McDonnell, Arlington Police Chief Doug Scott and Virginia legislative leaders. [Speed TV]

Mormon Singles Gather in Crystal City — Crystal City’s new 23rd Street Chapel is a place for young, single members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to gather. The chapel claims hundreds of single members, many of whom are specifically on the look-out for a wife or husband. The Washington area reportedly has one of the highest concentration of Mormons outside of Utah. [Washington Post]

Last Call for Crystal Ride Registration — Today is the last day to register for Crystal Ride, a non-competitive bike ride held on a 7.8 mile closed circuit around South Arlington during next weekend’s Air Force Cycling Challenge.

Crime Report: Middle School Car Thieves Edition

By ARLnow.com

In this week’s Arlington County crime report, a 13-year-old and two 14-year-olds allegedly try to steal cars — during the day — on a busy residential street near Columbia Pike.

ATTEMPT GRAND LARCENY AUTO (SERIES)-ARREST, 05/21/11, the 1200 and 1300 block of S. Courthouse Road. On May 21 at 4:20 pm, three juvenile males were located attempted to steal several vehicles. One 13 year-old and two 14 year-olds were apprehended and taken to juvenile detention. Charges are pending.

Also in this week’s report, two drunk women in Ballston get in a fight over smoking.

ASSAULT AND BATTERY, 05/22/11, 4100 block of Fairfax Drive. On May 22 at 8 pm, two intoxicated woman argued over one of them smoking close to the building and one assaulted the other.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump.
(more…)

Central Library to Host ‘Truck Petting Zoo’

By ARLnow.com

Is your kid fascinated by trucks? Does he or she love seeing big machinery up close? Does the photo (left) of a Washington Gas truck provoke feelings of awe and wonder?

If so, indulge the kid’s obsession at Arlington Central Library’s “truck petting zoo.”

From 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, various types of work vehicles will be on display at the library’s (1015 N. Quincy Street) east parking lot, near the tennis courts. Kids of all ages are invited to touch and explore the vehicles up close.

According to the Arlington Transit Blog, the trucks scheduled to be on display include:

  • ACFD fire engine, ladder truck and ambulance
  • ACPD motorcycle and police cruiser
  • Street sweeper, garbage truck and dump truck from the Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services
  • Concrete mixer from Vulcan Materials
  • Gas operations vehicle from Washington Gas
  • Arlington Transit ART bus
View More Stories