police

Two Pedestrian Accidents Reported Along Wilson Boulevard

By ARLnow.com

Police and paramedics are out at two separate pedestrian accidents along Wilson Boulevard, both near accident-prone intersections.

One accident is on North Rhodes Street at Wilson Boulevard, where we’ve taken note of two separate crashes in the past few months.

The other accident is on North Randolph Street between Wilson Boulevard and 9th Street. In a discussion of another potentially dangerous intersection in Ballston, one ARLnow.com commenter cited that specific block as particularly dangerous for pedestrians.

“OddNumber” said:

I would argue that one block away at the intersections of N Randolph and Wilson, and N Randolph and 9th St are much more dangerous even though they have traffic signals. Drivers constantly mis-use lanes going northbound because Arlington has deficient lane markings and creates an unsafe environment for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. The bus stop at Wilson is constantly used as an extra turn lane and both the turn and through lanes are used for through traffic at 9th.

Neither pedestrian’s injuries are reported to be life-threatening.

Man Arrested in Arlington Was Former Top Army Soldier

By ARLnow.com

A man who investigators say purposely struck a person with his car in Pentagon City last week was formerly the top enlisted member of the U.S. Army.

Police say Manassas resident Gene C. McKinney, 59, had picked up commuters from a slug line and was driving north toward Washington when the commuters demanded to be let out of the car because, they claimed, McKinney was driving fast and erratically.

After McKinney let them out on the 1100 block of South Eads Street, one man took out a camera and tried to snap a photo of McKinney’s license plate. That’s when McKinney hit the gas and struck the man with his car, according to police. He was arrested and charged with attempted malicious wounding.

McKinney, who’s now out on bond, was the 10th Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army, serving from 1995 to 1997. As the top non-commissioned member of the Army, McKinney was responsible for advising the chief of staff and acting as a liaison between soldiers and Army leadership. He was the first and remains the only African American to hold the post.

McKinney’s tenure as Sergeant Major was marred by numerous accusations of sexual harassment, although he was eventually acquitted of all harassment charges.

McKinney faces a preliminary hearing on December 6.

Crime Report: Grand Theft Auto Edition

By ARLnow.com

This week’s Arlington County crime report has an item that sounds like it could have happened in the video game Grand Theft Auto. Police say two men in a stolen car led them on a chase and then crashed.

GRAND LARCENY AUTO-ARREST 10/25/10, 4500 block of Fairfax Drive. On October 25 at 11:30 pm, two men were seen in a stolen vehicle. When police attempted to stop the vehicle, it fled and crashed. Both suspects were apprehended. Gustavo Lopez, 18, of Annandale, was charged with Eluding, Possession of Burglarious Tools, and Grand Larceny of an Automobile. Jesse Rodriguez, 21, of Arlington, was charged with Eluding and Grand Larceny of an Automobile. They were both held without bond.

Elsewhere, a dispute over a parking spot escalated to the point where police say one man drew a weapon.

BRANDISHING-ARREST 10/21/10, 5200 block of Lee Highway. On October 21 at 8:30 am, a man brandished a handgun at another man after an argument regarding parking. James Garvie, Sr., 72, of Arlington, was charged with brandishing a Weapon. He was released on a summons to appear in court.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump.

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Pentagon, Museum Shootings Linked; Extra Security Needed for Marathon?

By ARLnow.com

Local news outlets are reporting that the FBI has just confirmed that the same weapon was used to fire shots at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle on Oct. 17 and at the Pentagon on Oct. 19.

The FBI is also investigating a third shooting, which took place overnight at a Marine Corps Recruiting Station in Chantilly.

Each shooting is believed to have taken place at night, but one wonders whether the pattern of targeting Marine Corps-related sites could be worrisome to organizers of this weekend’s Marine Corps Marathon, which will take runners on a 26.2 mile course through Arlington and the District.

We’re awaiting comment from the Arlington County Police Department and the Marine Corps on whether extra security measures are being put into place.

Update on 10/27 — Citing law enforcement sources, ABC 7 reports that extra security will be in place at the marathon’s start and finish lines. Arlington police tell ABC 7 that they’re taking the recent shootings into consideration, and Pentagon police say they’ll deploy extra officers throughout the area.

When Do Kids Go Trick or Treating in Arlington?

By ARLnow.com

When are kids supposed to go trick or treating this year in Arlington? Halloween is six days away, and we’ve heard that question asked several times already.

The answer seems logical enough: parents tell us that trick or treating will take place on Halloween night (Oct. 31) shortly after sundown.

Recent transplants may be surprised to know that there is no “official” trick or treating time in Arlington. Neither the county nor the police department has set an official time or day, spokespeople tell us.

Elsewhere around the country, it’s common for localities to designate a specific time and day for kids to knock on doors and demand candy. The tradition doesn’t always take place at night, nor does it always take place on Halloween.

So this year “Beggars Night,” as it’s called by some, will take place on a Sunday night in Arlington. That raises the question: will some neighbors keep the lights dark and the candy to themselves in order to ensure uninterrupted viewing of Sunday night football and the World Series?

Hit and Run Driver Rear-Ends Police Cruiser in Courthouse

By ARLnow.com

The driver of a gray Jaguar, apparently fleeing after a collision in Courthouse, rear-ended a police cruiser two blocks away.

The police cruiser suffered minor damage as a result of the crash yesterday afternoon, on 14th Street near North Barton Street. The Jaguar had significant damage to its rear end — likely caused by the first accident.

No word on what charges the driver might face. So far, police have not confirmed any details surrounding the accident.

Columbia Pike Shut Down for Suspicious Package Investigation

By ARLnow.com

Update at 11:12 a.m. — And just like that, the scene has been cleared. The package has been declared harmless and Columbia Pike has reopened.

Columbia Pike is being shut down near the Navy Annex as Pentagon police investigate a suspicious package at a bus stop. The bus stop is located next to a Department of Defense-run parking lot.

Arlington police will be shutting down Columbia Pike from South Joyce Street to South Orme Street. The ramps from Washington Boulevard may also be shut down.

Death Investigation in Alcova Heights

By ARLnow.com

Police are investigating a death on 2nd Street South in Alcova Heights this morning.

A passerby found a person shot to death in a car, police said. The car was parked on the side of the street, still running. Initial evidence points to suicide, we’re told.

2nd Street is closed to traffic between Glebe Road and South Oakland Street while police investigate the incident.

Crime Report: Brandishing in Ballston

By ARLnow.com

The following item from this week’s Arlington County crime report might make you think twice before honking the horn, even if the other guy is clearly in the wrong. This happened less than a block from the Ballston Metro station.

BRANDISHING 10/16/10, 4200 block of Fairfax Drive. On October 16 at 6:30 pm, a man honked his vehicle horn at three males crossing against a traffic light. One of the subjects lifted his shirt and displayed a handgun. The suspect is described as an African American man in his 20’s wearing a red jacket and a skullcap.

The rest of the crime report, including a brandishing in south Arlington, after the jump.

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ACPD Holding Bake Sale for Cancer Research

By ARLnow.com

It would be a crime to miss out on the sweet treats on sale today outside the Arlington County courthouse (1425 N. Courthouse Road).

The police department is holding a bake sale to raise money for its second annual Be Brave and Shave fundraiser. Money from the fundraiser will benefit cancer research at Children’s National Medical Center.

The bake sale is being held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today. Each item costs $1.

We hear the oatmeal creme pies and the pumpkin bread are especially tasty.

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