police

Police Arrest Suspect in Hotel Sexual Assualt Case

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington County Police Department has arrested a man for the Aug. 14 abduction and robbery of two Canadian citizens, a mother and her daughter, at the Best Western on South Glebe Road.

Investigators say 49-year-old Storme Swann, a registered sex offender from LaPlata, Md., knocked on the victims’ hotel room door then forced his way inside. He sexually assaulted the daughter, who is in her 50s, and then fled after stealing money and electronics, according to police.

In a press release, police say they tracked down the suspect thanks to an anonymous tip.

An anonymous tip through Crime Solvers lead detectives to the Charles County Sherriff’s Office who identified the suspect as a registered sex offender in Maryland. With the assistance of detectives from the Charles County Sherriff’s Office, Storme Swann, 49, of LaPlata, Maryland, was arrested on November 22, 2010. He was charged with Abduction with the Intent to Defile and two counts of Robbery. He is currently being held without bond in Maryland.

Anyone who has further information about this robbery is asked to call Detective Donald Fortunato of the Arlington County Police Department at (703) 228-4197. Det. Fortunato can also be reached by email at [email protected].

Police Alerted to Bank Robbery in McLean

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County Police have been alerted to a bank robbery that occurred in McLean within the hour.

According to a police lookout, the Wachovia Bank at 1300 Chain Bridge Road was robbed by a man wearing a white mask and holding a black handgun.

It’s standard procedure for police departments to be notified about bank robberies in surrounding jurisdictions.

Update at 1:40 p.m. — Police describe the suspect as a black male in his mid to late 30s, about 5’8″ and between 150 and 170 pounds. He was reportedly wearing an “elderly white man” costume mask and dark clothing, according to the Falls Church News-Press.

Officials Tout 911 Texting Technology

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 3:45 p.m.) At some point in the future, Arlington residents may be able to text 911 to receive emergency help.

County public safety leaders held a press conference with FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski this morning to discuss next-generation 911 services, which “will one day enable consumers to send text messages, videos and photos to 911 call centers via broadband applications.”

“The current 911 system is efficient and reliable… but [it] doesn’t support the communications tools of tomorrow, Genachowski said, pointing out that 70 percent of all 911 calls now come from mobile phones.

“With today’s advances in commercial mobile broadband technologies, consumers are using their phones less to make calls and more for texting and sending pictures… but right now, you can’t text 911,” he added. “It’s time to bring 911 into the digital age.”

Genachowski cited the 2007 shootings at Virginia Tech as an example of why a the new technology is necessary.

“Some students and witnesses tried to text 911 during that emergency,” he said. “Those messages never went through and were never received by local 911 dispatchers.”

In addition to emergencies where speaking to a dispatcher could jeopardize a caller’s safety, Genachowski said 911 texting systems could help in other situations.

“Next generation 911 could allow a caller to transmit a photo of a car leaving the scene of an armed robbery, [or] could enable a deaf person to communicate with an emergency call center by sending text messages to the call taker,” he said. Devices like environmental sensors, highway cameras or personal medical devices could be set up to text 911 in the event of emergency situations.

Genachowski announced that at its meeting next month, the FCC will take an “important first step” toward figuring out how to roll out next-generation 911 nationwide. No time frame was given for the technology’s implementation.

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Crime Report: Mall Theft Suspect Runs Through Metro Tunnel

By ARLnow.com

A kid involved in the theft of watches from a store in the Pentagon City Mall went to great lengths to try to avoid getting caught by police.

According to this week’s crime report, the juvenile fled to the Pentagon City Metro station and then ran through a Metro tunnel with police in hot pursuit. He was eventually arrested at the Pentagon Metro station.

Metro trains were stopped in the area during the pursuit, according to police.

GRAND LARCENY-ARREST 11/11/10, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street. On November 11 at 9:30 pm, several subjects stole watches from a store at the mall. They were located by police in the Pentagon City Metro Station. One subject fled from police into the metro tunnel. Trains were stopped until the subject was apprehended at the Pentagon Metro Station. Two juveniles were detained and petitions are pending.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump.

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What’s Going on With Yorktown Bistro?

By ARLnow.com

Police are out at Yorktown Bistro (5171 Lee Highway) after county code enforcement reported that a back door to the restaurant was open and no one was inside.

Apparently the same thing happened during business hours yesterday, leading at least one officer to believe that the restaurant may be abandoned.

Yelp reveals some unflattering customer reviews. A web site for the restaurant is no longer in operation.

Va. Legislature May Consider Tough Immigration Measures

By ARLnow.com

Just when it looked like the hubbub was dying down over Arlington’s failed effort to withdraw from the Secure Communities immigration enforcement program, the Virginia state legislature now appears poised to stir up the immigration hornet’s nest once again.

According to the Washington Examiner, Del. Dave Albo (R-Fairfax) has indicated that he will be introducing bills that will deny driver’s licenses and government benefits for illegal immigrants, while permitting police to check the immigration status of anyone who is taken into custody.

That last proposal is intended to mimic the controversial Arizona immigration law that quickly turned into a hot-button national news story. It would fly in the face of Arlington’s stated policy that “it is not the role of Arlington County law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws.”

“I hope the General Assembly will examine these measures very carefully,” said Del. Bob Brink (D), who represents part of Arlington. “I’m concerned that, in addition to their potential for stigmatizing some Virginians, they could actually make the work of law enforcement more difficult.”

Brink added that he wants to talk with Arlington’s public safety officials “to get their reaction to the proposed bills.”

Albo, meanwhile, told the Examiner that he doesn’t think his immigration bills stand much of a chance of passing the Democratic-controlled state senate, although he predicted the bills would likely pass the Republican-controlled House of Delegates.

Photo via Creative Commons License

Do You Have What It Takes To Be an ACPD Officer?

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington County Police Department is recruiting for a new class of police academy candidates.

Before you get out your resume, however, you should be aware that the application process is a bit more rigorous than that of your average post-collegiate job.

Among the tests you’ll have to pass:

  • Human relations test
  • Character/background investigation
  • Panel interview
  • Polygraph examination
  • Stress test
  • Psychological evaluation
  • Drug testing
  • Medical examination
  • Physical abilities test

The department recently released a YouTube video that details what candidates will have to do to pass the physical abilities test. Among the requirements: being able to rack the slide and pull the trigger of a .40 caliber Glock semiautomatic handgun 13 times in 26 seconds.



Sound easy? Take a look at this elaborately-produced, three year old video of a not-so-typical day in the life of an Arlington police officer and see if you still got what it takes.

Bikes Stolen from Rosslyn Apartment Complex

By ARLnow.com

Yesterday we reported that Arlington police are warning residents about bike thefts. Now we’re hearing that nearly 30 bikes were stolen from a bike rack inside a locked apartment building garage in Rosslyn last weekend.

Building management for the Rosslyn Heights complex at 1860 North Scott Street confirmed the thefts, but could not confirm the number of bikes that were stolen. A resident who contacted ARLnow.com said about 30 bikes, all locked either to each other or to the bike rack, were stolen.

The resident, Ben M., said this was the latest in a series of break-ins in the area since the end of September.

He said he’s surprised by how little has been done to prevent the thefts.

Update at 1:30 p.m. — A police source says the number of bikes stolen from the complex may be significantly lower that 30.

Reminder: Vehicle Decal Deadline Approaching

By ARLnow.com

Have you been putting off putting your new 2010-2011 county vehicle decal on your windshield? If so, you’ll want to stop to procrastination this weekend.

After Monday, county police will be able to ticket any county resident with an expired sticker.

There was a delay in mailing out the decals this year, but officials told us that would not affect the Nov. 15 display deadline.

ACPD Warns of Bike Thefts

By ARLnow.com

Nearly 400 bicycles have been stolen so far this year in Arlington County. According to police, many of those thefts were preventable.

To help residents protect their bikes, the police department is asking cyclists to use a U-lock rather than chains or cables.

Police are also reminding bike owners that they present thieves with an easy target anytime they leave their bike unlocked on a front porch, in a shed or in an open garage.

ACPD issued the following additional tips for protecting oneself from bike theft.

Be prepared:

  • Register your bicycle with the Arlington County Police Department. You will receive a decal that may be a visible deterrent to theft. Your bicycle information will also be on file in case it is stolen.
  • Keep a photograph of the bike and a record of your bicycle’s serial number and distinguishing features.
  • Make a note of the brand and the style.
  • Note the identification number (located underneath the bike, between the cranks).
  • Most importantly, take a moment to consider what makes your bike unusual. What will make it stand out from the crowd? Photograph any distinguishing characteristics (unusual seat or pedals, scratches, racks, bags – the things that make your bike yours).
  • If it is generic, personalize it.

The most effective counter strategy for a cyclist is to use two types of locks; a U-lock combined with a cable or chain. As with most cycling skills, technique is everything.

  • Open the front quick-release, remove the wheel and place it next to the rear wheel. Rest the fork on the ground.
  • Put the U-lock around a fixed object (guard rail, bike rack, etc.), the rims of both wheels, and some part of the bike frame (either the seat tube, chainstay, or seatstay.) Make sure the lock goes around the rims and not just the spokes, or a thief with wire cutters can walk away with your nice set of wheels.
  • Thread the cable lock through the frame, the front wheel (if it is bolted on), and around a fixed object. Because different tools are needed to break each lock, you will have a backup if one lock is defeated.
  • Do not forget the saddle. If your seat-post has a quick-release, pull the whole thing out and run the cable through the saddle rails.

If you observe someone with a backpack, spending time around the bike racks at the Metro or in your condo garage or taking too long to unlock a bike, it may be suspicious. Call the Arlington County Police Department Non-emergency Line at 703-558-2222.

The Arlington County Police Department also has an Abandoned Bicycle Hotline. If a bicycle remains in place (unlocked) at a parking meter, lamp pole, or bike rack for longer than five days please call 703-228-4057. Leave a description, location and a contact number because the bicycle may have been stolen and left behind.

Crime Report: Busy Weekend Edition

By ARLnow.com

It was a very busy weekend for the Arlington County Police Department, as reflected in this week’s crime report.

Early Sunday morning, a man’s relaxing massage in Clarendon turned into anything but. According to the report, he allegedly robbed the masseuse and then, when police arrived, pulled a knife on officers. That move bought him some deep tissue stimulation courtesy of an officer’s Taser.

ASSAULT ON POLICE-ARREST 11/07/10, 3000 block of Washington Boulevard. On November 7 at 4:45 am, a man assaulted a woman that he had hired for a massage and also robbed her. When police approached him, he displayed a knife and was not compliant. An officer deployed a tazer and the suspect was taken into custody. Patrick Whitesell, 34, of Arlington was charged with Assault on Law Enforcement, Grand Larceny, Larceny from a Person and Assault and Battery. He was held without bond.

Thinking that getting assaulted by belligerent suspects sounds like a fun volunteer opportunity, one young man is accused of impersonating Johnny Law by installing police lights in his car.

IMPERSONATION OF POLICE-ARREST 11/05/10, 5200 block of S. 8th Road. On November 5 at 10:40 am, a man was seen driving a vehicle with police lights through traffic. Josue Chicas, 20, of Arlington, was charged with Impersonating a Police Officer. He was released on a summons.

Late Saturday night, a bridal shower got way out of control in Clarendon. After the glass bottles stopped flying, a 25-year-old Maryland woman was arrested.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT-ARREST 11/06/10, 3100 block of Clarendon Boulevard. On November 6 at 11:30 pm, two women argued during a bridal shower at a bar. A glass bottle was thrown during the fight, and a bystander was struck in the face. Jazmine Geans, 25, of Lusby, MD, was charged with Disorderly Conduct. She was held on a $2,000 bond.

It was not a good weekend for cab drivers. One was carjacked, and another was assaulted with a belt.

MALICIOUS WOUNDING 11/07/10, 1800 block of N. Oak Street. On November 7 at 2:30 am, a man assaulted a cab driver with a belt rather than pay his fare. Nabil Guermoudi, 27, of Arlington, was charged with Malicious Wounding. He was held without bond.

CARJACKING-ARREST 11/07/10, 4200 block of Wilson Boulevard. On November 7 at 6 am, a man assaulted a cab driver, and then drove the cab away. Police apprehended the suspect. David Norman, 28, of Redondo Beach, CA, was charged with Carjacking. He was held without bond.

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