Someone has been busy creating mathematical and geometric graffiti (in chalk) on the W&OD trail. Mark Blacknell, who may or may not be organizing a posse of rogue road bicyclists to find the culprit(s), has more photos.
Photo courtesy Mark Blacknell.
At least two cases of racist vandalism have been reported in Crystal City in the past two days. The graffiti, which has contained references to Hitler, may be linked to a string of incidents being investigated by U.S. Park Police.
Park Police have issued a warrant for 51-year-old Ronald Edward Bost, Jr., who they believe is behind racist screeds found on the George Washington Parkway and in several D.C. parks.
Bost has been known to frequent Arlington County libraries, police said.
Also today, at least two cases of vandalism were reported on the W&OD trail. It’s not known at this time whether those incidents are related to the Bost case.
The Arlington County Police Department has issued a warning to women who use the W&OD trail. A man has exposed himself at least 11 times on the trail since mid-January, police said today.
The latest incident happened on Monday night around 6:30. A woman was on the trail near North Quincy Street when a man exposed himself, police said. The man is described as a white male wearing dark-colored clothing with a black ski mask over his face.
Police say women should avoid walking or running on the trail alone and should avoid wearing headphones.
Anyone who uses the W & OD Bike trail and observes any suspicious activity is asked to contact police. Police have significantly increased patrols on the bike paths. They also urge people who frequently spend time on bike trails and other secluded areas to be cautious and aware of their surroundings. Women should avoid walking or running alone, and they are encouraged not to use devices such as headphones that prevent hearing someone approach. Police recommend that bike trail users carry cell phones so that they can call police as soon as incidents occur. People should report anyone observed acting in a manner not consistent with other bike trail users, such as loitering in the wooded areas, as suspicious behavior.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to contact Detective Comer at (703) 228-4243 or Detective Austin at (703) 228-4241.
A man exposed himself to a woman on the W&OD trail in Glencarlyn Park around 6:30 Friday night, according to police. Investigators believe it’s the same suspect who has previously struck seven times since the beginning of the year.
The suspect is described by police as a white Hispanic male with shaggy black hair, 5’6″ and 160 lbs. He was wearing gray clothing and a gray cloth over the lower half of his face during this latest incident, according to investigators.
A man exposed himself to a woman who was walking on the W&OD trail near the East Falls Church Metro station last night, according to police. This is the second such incident reported on the W&OD trail this week, and the seventh such incident since the be beginning of the year.
The woman was walking on the trail around 10:00 p.m. when a man wearing dark clothing exposed himself, police said. The suspect is described as 5’8″ tall, weighing 160lbs.
Police are asking anyone with any information about the case to call Detective Comer at (703) 228-4243 or Detective Austin at (703) 228-4241.
A man exposed himself to a jogger on a section of the W&OD trail near Ashlawn Elementary School Sunday morning. Arlington police are investigating whether this incident is related to a series of five indecent exposures that occurred in January.
In this latest incident, a woman was running on the trail around 9:15 a.m. when a man exposed himself, according to police. The man was wear a ski mask over his face at the time. He’s described as a white male, between 5’8″ and 5’10” with a slim build.
Police are asking anyone with any information about the case to call Detective Comer at (703) 228-4243 or Detective Austin at (703) 228-4241.
To help speed up the work already being done by mother nature, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority says it will be plowing the remaining snow from the W&OD trail this week. People Powered Arlington has more details.
On a related note, snow and downed tree branches are apparently still a major problem on Theodore Roosevelt Island’s trails. Check out the photos on We Love DC.
