sexual battery

D.C. man arrested, facing new charges in sexual assault case

By ARLnow.com
Break-in and sexual assault suspect (photos courtesy ACPD, photo composition by ARLnow)

A 34-year-old D.C. man was arrested last month in a high-profile Arlington sexual assault case.

Police say they suspect Geremy Bridgeforth is the man who broke into a woman’s apartment in Virginia Square on April 2 and sexually assaulted her. That attack was followed by a subsequent early-morning apartment break-in on April 12, in Courthouse, in which the victim was touched inappropriately.

Blurry surveillance photos of the suspect were released by police a few days later.

In an update in the case Thursday afternoon, Arlington County police announced additional charges against Bridgeforth, who according to court records was arrested on July 14.

Following a comprehensive criminal investigation, the Arlington County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit is announcing charges have been obtained in the April 2 incident in the Ballston-Virginia Square neighborhood. Geremy Bridgeforth, 34, of Washington D.C. is charged with Burglary with Intent to Commit Murder/Rape/Robbery and Object Sexual Penetration. During the course of the investigation, detectives determined that between April 1 and April 2, the suspect entered additional residences in the 3900 block of Fairfax Drive and stole property. He was charged with Burglary (x2), Credit Card Theft (x2), Credit Card Fraud (x2) and Petit Larceny related to those offenses. Additionally, Mr. Bridgeforth was charged with Burglary with Intent to Commit Murder/Rape/Robbery and Aggravated Sexual Battery in the April 12 incident in the Clarendon-Courthouse neighborhood. He is being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.

Bridgeforth has a number of prior arrests and convictions in Arlington dating between 2015-2021, according to court records, for crimes including fare evasion, trespassing and indecent exposure. Most recently he served a net two months in jail on the 2021 indecent exposure charges, court records suggest.

Multiple residents told ARLnow at the time that the Courthouse break-ins followed the installation of new smart locks, which some claimed would leave apartment doors open even when an app said it was locked.

NEW: Girl sexually assaulted by intruder, police say

By ARLnow.com
Police car at night (file photo courtesy Kevin Wolf)

A girl was sexually assaulted by a man who broke into her home in the Ashton Heights neighborhood early this morning, according to police.

The incident happened around 1 a.m. on the 300 block of N. Glebe Road.

Arlington County police say the intruder touched the girl inappropriately but ended up fleeing after she kicked him and then refused to leave with him.

More, below, from an ACPD press release.

The Arlington County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit is investigating a sexual assault which occurred during a residential burglary in the 300 block of N. Glebe Road.

At approximately 6:58 a.m. on August 2, police were dispatched to the report of suspicious circumstances. The preliminary investigation indicates that approximately 1:04 a.m., the juvenile female victim was awoken after the suspect gained entry into her residence and touched her inappropriately. The victim kicked the suspect and he left the scene. The suspect returned a short time later, attempted to convince the victim to leave with him and fled the scene after she refused.

The suspect is described as a White and/or Hispanic male, 25 – 45 years old, with dark hair and wearing a white shirt and light-colored shorts.

This remains an active criminal investigation and anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Detective McGuire at 703-228-4173 or [email protected]. Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). For additional community resources and contact information, visit our website.

This is the second local incident of a juvenile victim being touched inappropriately in the past few days. A boy was sexually abused on a trail near Kenmore Middle School on Sunday morning.

Police: Man touched boy inappropriately on trail near Kenmore Middle School

By ARLnow.com
Map showing approximate location of sexual battery incident on trail (via Google Maps)

Arlington County police are looking for a man who sexually abused a boy on a local trail.

The incident happened around 9 a.m. Sunday morning, on a trail near the intersection of Route 50 and Carlin Springs Road. That’s near Kenmore Middle School, Bluemont Park and the W&OD Trail.

“At approximately 9:09 a.m. on July 30, police were dispatched to the report of an assault just occurred,” Arlington County police said today in a crime report. “Upon arrival, it was determined the juvenile victim was walking on the trail when he was approached by the unknown male suspect. The suspect engaged the victim in conversation before touching him inappropriately and fleeing the scene on foot.”

“Officers canvassed the area for the suspect yielding negative results. No injuries were reported,” the crime report continues. “The suspect is described as a heavy-set Hispanic male in his 40’s with gray hair, approximately 5’7” wearing a red shirt and dark sweat pants. The investigation is ongoing.”

Map via Google Maps

Two men face sentencing after sexual battery convictions

By ARLnow.com
Jail entrance at the Arlington County Detention Facility (file photo)

Prosecutors secured felony convictions earlier this month against two men in separate sexual battery cases.

In one case, a man was convicted of secually abusing “a mentally incapacitated or physically helpless individual” in a public park in Arlington in July 2020.

In the other case, a man was found guilty of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in her Arlington home in November 2019.

More on the convictions, below, via a press release from the Arlington and Falls Church Commonwealth’s Attorney Office.

On July 13, 2023, an Arlington County jury found Matthew Coble guilty of Aggravated Sexual Battery of a mentally incapacitated or physically helpless individual. The evidence presented at trial proved that Mr. Coble sexually abused the victim at a public park in Arlington County on July 24, 2020. The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict, and a sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 29, 2023. The statutory range of punishment in Virginia for Aggravated Sexual Battery is a period of incarceration between one and twenty years and a fine of up to $100,000.

On July 25, 2023, an Arlington County jury found Dylan Veitch guilty of Aggravated Sexual Battery of a minor under the age of 13 years old. The evidence presented at trial proved that Mr. Veitch sexually abused the twelve-year-old victim at her home in Arlington County in November of 2019. The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict, and a sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 29, 2023. Following the guilty verdict, a motion by the Commonwealth to revoke Mr. Veitch’s bond was granted by The Honorable Daniel S. Fiore, II. The statutory range of punishment in Virginia for Aggravated Sexual Battery is a period of incarceration between one and twenty years and a fine of up to $100,000.

Both cases were prosecuted by Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Nassir Aboreden. The Commonwealth’s Attorney Office would like to thank all members of the participating juries for their thoughtful consideration of the facts, evidence, and the law in each of these cases. The verdicts in each case provide the victims with a level of closure. Our thoughts are with the victims as they embark on their healing journey.

NEW: Police release photos of suspect in sexual assault case

By ARLnow.com
Break-in and sexual assault suspect (photos courtesy ACPD, photo composition by ARLnow)

Arlington County police have released photos of a man suspected of trying to break into apartments in a building where a woman was sexually assaulted.

Police stopped short of calling the man a suspect in the April 2 sexual assault in Virginia Square and the April 12 sexual battery in Courthouse. In both instances, a suspect broke into a woman’s apartment and then fled on foot.

“The investigation into the captured individual’s possible involvement in the residential burglary with sexual battery is ongoing and detectives continue to follow-up on investigative leads in the April 2 and April 12 incidents,” police said in a press release.

The accompanying photos are blurry but show a man described as “a Black male with an average build and a dark beard.”

The press release is below.

The Arlington County Police Department is releasing two images of a suspect who was captured on video attempting to gain entry into residences on April 2 in the 3900 block of Fairfax Drive. The suspect is described as a Black male with an average build and a dark beard.

The investigation into the captured individual’s possible involvement in the residential burglary with sexual battery is ongoing and detectives continue to follow-up on investigative leads in the April 2 and April 12 incidents. Anyone with information regarding ether of these investigations is asked to contact Detective C. Oesterling (703-228-4241 or [email protected]) of the Special Victims Unit. Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Police investigating break-in and sexual battery in Courthouse apartment building

By ARLnow.com
File photo

(Updated at 4:25 p.m.) Someone broke into a woman’s apartment in Courthouse, went into her bedroom and touched her inappropriately, according to Arlington County police.

The incident happened in the early morning hours of Wednesday, police said. A resident tells ARLnow that it happened at the Courthouse Plaza Apartments, at 2250 Clarendon Blvd.

“Police swept every apartment guns drawn around 6 a.m., looking for someone,” the resident told us yesterday evening. “People woke up with their doors wide open. Break in happened around two weeks after management installed ‘smart locks’ on everyone’s door. You control them with a sketchy app. Whole thing is fishy.”

Spokeswoman Ashley Savage tells ARLnow that no other break-ins were reported Wednesday, but a number of opened or unlocked doors were found that morning and a previous break-in was reported to police

“During the search of the building, officers located unsecured units, made contact with individuals inside and a late unlawful entry was reported,” Savage said. “No other incidents were reported.”

Police say they’re investigating whether Wednesday’s sexual battery is linked to a break-in and sexual assault at a Virginia Square apartment building ten days prior.

More from an ACPD press release:

The Arlington County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit is investigating a residential burglary with sexual battery which occurred in the Clarendon-Courthouse neighborhood.

At approximately 4:47 a.m. on April 12, police were dispatched to the 2200 block of Clarendon Boulevard for the report of an assault just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined the suspect gained entry into the female victim’s residence, entered her bedroom and touched her inappropriately. The victim screamed and the suspect fled from the residence on foot. The suspect is described as a Black male with an average build and approximately 5’8” – 5’10” tall.

Detectives are investigating the incident as possibly linked to an incident which occurred on April 2 in the Ballston-Virginia Square neighborhood. This remains an active criminal investigation and anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Detective C. Oesterling (703-228-4241 or [email protected]). Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

The reported previous break-in happened last month.

“On April 12, police received a late report of a breaking and entering,” ACPD said about the earlier incident. “The investigation determined that in the early morning hours of March 25, the suspect opened the door to the victim’s residence and fled the scene on foot after the victim yelled out to the suspect. No items were reported stolen or damaged. There is no suspect description. The investigation is ongoing.”

Man arrested for pair of buttocks slapping incidents in Courthouse

By ARLnow.com
Arlington police car outside police headquarters (file photo)

A man is in jail after a pair of alleged sexual battery incidents in the Courthouse area Sunday evening.

Both happened along Wilson Blvd and involved the 22-year-old suspect approaching women and hitting them on the buttocks, police said.

From an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

SEXUAL BATTERY, 2023-03050171, Wilson Boulevard at N. Courthouse Road. At approximately 6:47 p.m. on March 5, police were dispatched to the police station for the report of a suspicious person. Upon arrival, it was determined the female victim was walking her dog in the area when the male suspect approached her and allegedly hit her on the buttocks before fleeing the scene on foot. During the course of the investigation, it was determined a second female victim was approached by the suspect in the area of Wilson Boulevard and N. Troy Street, during which he hit her on the buttocks before fleeing the scene. A lookout was broadcast and responding officers located the suspect in the area and took him into custody without incident. [The suspect], 22, of No Fixed Address, was arrested and charged with Sexual Battery (x2). He was held without bail.

The suspect is expected in court tomorrow (Tuesday) for a bail hearing, per court records.

JUST IN: Arlington police charge 94-year-old man with child sexual abuse

By ARLnow.com
Adolfo Zambrano (photo courtesy ACPD)

A 94-year-old man has been arrested and charged with sex crimes against children.

Arlington resident Adolfo Zambrano is facing two counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery, following an incident earlier this month at a home along Columbia Pike and accusations of child sexual abuse dating back to 1999.

Arlington County police are now seeking additional potential victims.

More from an ACPD press release, below.

The Arlington County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit is seeking possible additional victims of a suspect charged with sex offenses. Adolfo Zambrano, 94, of Arlington, VA, was arrested and charged with two counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery. He is being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.

At approximately 6:25 p.m. on February 10, police were dispatched to the late report of an assault. Upon arrival, it was determined at approximately 4:30 p.m., the witness observed a suspicious incident between the known suspect and a child inside a residence along Columbia Pike. The witness confronted the suspect, he left the home and she subsequently contacted police.

During the course of the investigation, detectives determined the suspect inappropriately touched the child. Additionally, detectives identified an adult female victim who reported having been touched inappropriately by the suspect in 1999 when she was a child. As a result of the investigation, detectives obtained warrants for his arrest and he was taken into custody on the evening of February 16, 2023.

This remains an active criminal investigation. Anyone with past inappropriate encounters with this suspect or who has additional information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective H. Molina at 703-228-4208 or [email protected]. Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

NEW: Police seeking additional victims of teen groping suspect

By ARLnow.com
File photo

Arlington County police are seeking more victims of a teen identified as a suspect after a string of groping incidents.

The incidents happened in and around the Courthouse area this past fall and involved women being grabbed from behind in a sexual manner by an unknown suspect. One involved a woman walking her dog in Courthouse on Nov. 28 and another involved a woman walking or running on the Arlington Blvd Trail on Dec. 7.

So far, police say they have only charged the teen with an incident on Nov. 29 when a female jogger was grabbed from behind. They’re now trying to determine a link to the other incidents and putting out a call for more potential victims to come forward.

More, below, from a just-issued ACPD press release.

The Arlington County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit is investigating an Arlington teen after he was charged with assaulting a woman running along the Arlington Boulevard trail.

At approximately 3:05 p.m. on November 29, the female victim was running in the 2000 block of Arlington Boulevard when the male suspect approached from behind, grabbed her buttocks and continued running. In January 2023, detectives identified the 17-year-old male suspect and obtained a petition for Assault and Battery. In accordance with Virginia Code, the identity of the juvenile suspect is not releasable.

Similar incidents were reported in the Clarendon-Courthouse and Radnor/Ft. Myer Heights neighborhoods in November and December 2022 and detectives continue to investigate the suspect’s possible involvement in these incidents. Based on the preliminary investigation, detectives believe there may be additional incidents that have not been reported to police. Anyone who may have experienced a similar incident is asked to contact Detective C. Mulrain at 703-228-4194 or [email protected]. Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

JUST IN: Woman groped, pulled to ground in Lyon Park

By ARLnow.com
File photo

A woman was groped, followed and pulled to the ground by an unknown suspect in the Lyon Park area, police say.

The incident happened last night (Wednesday) around 5:30 p.m.

The suspect initially grabbed the victim’s buttocks as she was walking along the Arlington Blvd trail at 10th Street N., not far from Courthouse, according to Arlington County police.

He then re-approached on the 2500 block of N. Pershing Drive and pulled her to the ground by the shoulders, but ran off when she screamed, police said.

From an ACPD crime report today:

SEXUAL BATTERY (Late), 2022-12070193, Arlington Boulevard trail at 10th Street N. exit ramp. At approximately 7:32 p.m. on December 7, police were dispatched to the late report of an assault. Upon arrival, it was determined approximately two hours prior, the victim was waiting at a crosswalk when the unknown male suspect approached her from behind and touched her buttocks before fleeing the area on foot. The victim continued traveling and was in the 2500 block of N. Pershing Drive when the suspect reapproached her from behind and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, causing her to fall to the ground. The victim yelled and the suspect fled the area on foot. The victim sustained minor injuries and did not require medical attention. Responding officers canvassed the area for the suspect yielding negative results. The suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 20-30 years old, 5’8-5’10, medium build, wearing a black hoodie and black pants. The investigation is ongoing.

The suspect description is a bit different than that of a man who groped a woman in Courthouse last week, though the victim in that case wrote that she “didn’t get a good look at the guy.” Both suspects were reported to have been wearing a black hoodie and black pants, according to police.

“Both incidents remain under investigation and detectives will work to determine if they are linked,” said ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage.

Woman groped one block from police HQ in Courthouse

By ARLnow.com
1300 block of N. Troy Street (via Google Maps)

Arlington County police are investigating a sexual battery incident just a block from their headquarters in Courthouse.

It happened Monday night around 10:30 p.m. on the 1300 block of N. Troy Street, as a woman was walking her dog.

From an ACPD crime report:

SEXUAL BATTERY, 2022-11280277, 1300 block of N. Troy Street. At approximately 10:38 p.m. on November 28, police were dispatched to the report of a sexual battery. Upon arrival, it was determined the female victim was walking in the area when the unknown male suspect approached her from behind, lifted her jacket and touched her inappropriately. The victim screamed and the suspect fled the scene. The suspect is described as a younger, unknown race male, approximately 5’6″ – 5’7″ tall with a skinny build and wearing dark clothing. The investigation is ongoing.

The victim posted on Reddit about the incident to warn other women in the area and ask whether anyone got a better look at the suspect. She noted that “I’ve never felt scared to walk alone in Arlington before.”

From the post:

This is half PSA and half plea for information.

Last night at 10:35 I was walking my little 12 lb dog up North Troy street by the Palatine apartment building when a man came up behind me, lifted up my jacket, and grabbed my crotch and pulled at my pants. I immediately shrieked and he went running south back down Troy. It all happened so fast I didn’t get a good look at the guy. He had a black hoodie on with the hood up and black sweatpants. I didn’t see his face. My best guess is that he’s between 5’6″ and 5’8 and probably young-ish based on light build and his swift speed.

I called the police (the police station is literally half a block away from where this happened) and they were very kind and professional but I’m just so frustrated I couldn’t really give them any info about this guy. So, if you live in the area and think you saw anything (I screamed really [expletive] loud – maybe somebody looked out the window and saw what shoes he was wearing or something?), please let me know.

Also, ladies, please keep an eye out. This guy appeared out of nowhere – my best guess is he was hiding in some shrubs – and it seems like he’s done this before and I would guess will do it again. I usually do this walk with my husband but he’s sick right now so last night I was out by myself for the first time in a while. I’m so sad. I’ve never felt scared to walk alone in Arlington before.

Photo via Google Maps

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