Alleged Shoplifter Had Diplomatic Immunity
Two alleged shoplifters were detained by security at the Pentagon City Macy’s store yesterday evening, but only one suspect was taken to jail because the other had diplomatic immunity.
Police responded to the store, in the Pentagon City mall, around 5:45 p.m. after getting a call from Macy’s about two female shoplifters who were taken into custody by security officers. The women were accused of collectively trying to steal more than $600 worth of clothing.
When police arrived, both suspects claimed to have diplomatic immunity, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. After checking with the State Department, it was determined that one suspect, a 35-year-old woman, was indeed a diplomat from Jordan and had diplomatic immunity. She was released on a court summons, accused of trying to steal $205 worth of merchandise.
Sternbeck declined to release the name of the woman. The embassy of Jordan was contacted about the incident, he said.
The second suspect, identified as 48-year-old Entaser Alsmady, did not have diplomatic immunity and was charged with grand larceny, according to Sternbeck. Alsmady is accused of trying to steal $427 worth of merchandise. She is currently being held in the Arlington County jail, Sternbeck said.
Alleged crimes by individuals with diplomatic immunity are not unheard of in Arlington. Sternbeck said he could recall at least one other diplomat accused of a crime in the past year.
TV Station Looking for Models at Pentagon City Mall
DC50, the CW television station in Washington, will be recruiting models at the Pentagon City mall next weekend.
The station is looking for models for its annual Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle Expo, to be held at the Washington Convention Center on Oct. 20. The event features The event features “multiple fashion shows, free beauty makeovers, book signings, and meet and greets with celebrities.”
The casting call for the expo will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 23, on the third floor of the mall.
“Models chosen to walk during this year’s FBL will get a chance to meet these accredited designers, have portfolio pictures taken, increase their exposure, and the chance to get scouted by New York modeling agencies,” DC50 noted in a press release. “Models will be chosen by Maggy Francois, LLC and Joel Cas Productions.”
New Stores Coming to Pentagon City Mall
More changes are coming to The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.
On the heels of the recent openings of a new Microsoft Store, Tumi store, Coach store, Bose store, The Limited store, and Chipotle restaurant, the mall has announced some new additions.
A Fire and Ice jewelry store is expected to open tomorrow, Sept. 1. The store specializes in “hand crafted creations, with a focus on vibrant gems and jewels that evoke the colors and textures of our planet’s rich natural history.” The 500 square foot store will be opening on the second level of the mall, next to L’Occitane.
A Kate Spade store is set to open in Pentagon City mall in “early fall,” according to a press release. Kate Spade’s diverse set of offerings include handbags, clothing, jewelry, shoes, stationery, eyewear, baby items, fragrance, tabletop goods, bedding and gifts. The 1,450 square foot storefront will be opening on the second level of the mall next to Club Monaco.
Finally, an Oakley store is also opening on the second level of the mall, according to the mall directory. While not officially announced, it appears that the Oakley store will be replacing another store that’s currently open. It’s not clear which store that may be, however. Oakley is best known for its sunglasses, but it also sells apparel, bags and footwear.
There are more than 170 stores in the Pentagon City mall, which is anchored by Nordstrom and Macy’s department stores.
Weezer Concert Won’t Be Taking Place at Mall, After All
It turns out we were wrong to assume that a Weezer concert that was said to be taking place “near The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City Microsoft Store” next weekend, in honor of the store’s grand opening, will be taking place at the mall. Or in Virginia, for that matter.
A PR rep emailed us today to let us know the concert — scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 11 — is actually taking place at the Warner Theater in D.C. The original media advisory (which omitted the Warner Theater detail) said the concert will be taking place at 2:00 p.m., though the band’s website says it’s scheduled from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Weezer fans can get tickets to the event by visiting the Microsoft Store’s Pentagon City mall grand opening on Thursday, Aug. 9. Starting at 10:00 a.m., the store will distribute free wristbands for admission to the event, in pairs of two, according to the Microsoft Store website. The first 200 people in line will also reportedly get a wristband for a meet and greet with the band.
A few lucky people who get in line early on the 9th will also have the chance to play Microsoft Kinect with Washington Wizards star John Wall later that day.
ARLnow.com apologies for the error in our previous article.
Photo by “James” via Wikipedia
Thieves Strike Cars at Pentagon City Mall Parking Lot
Thieves struck at least 10 vehicles — including two police cars — at the Pentagon City mall parking lot yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.
Detectives are investigating 10 reports of car break-ins at the mall parking garage yesterday, including five reports of larcenies from auto (items stolen from inside the car) and five reports of attempted larcenies.
Police believe the incidents took place between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Two of the victim vehicles belonged to law enforcement agencies, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. Sternbeck wasn’t able to confirm which agencies were involved, except to say that the vehicles did not belong to Arlington County. ARLnow.com hears that at least one of the vehicles was an undercover Fairfax County police car.
Sternbeck said that mall-goers can help protect themselves from theft by making sure to lock their vehicles and by keeping valuables like iPods, GPS units and cash hidden in a locked glove box or trunk. Shoppers are also asked to report suspicious activity in such parking garages to police or mall security.
Weezer to Play Concert for Pentagon City Microsoft Store Opening
(Updated on 8/3/12) A Microsoft Store location is opening in Pentagon City mall next month and the company is bringing in some star power to help mark the occasion.
The store — which sells Microsoft products like software, gaming devices and phones — is officially opening at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 9. A grand opening ceremony that morning will be followed up with a Microsoft Kinect demonstration by Washington Wizards point guard John Wall at 6:00 p.m., and with an even grander event on Saturday, August 11, featuring a performance by the band Weezer.
The concert will take place at the mall Warner Theater at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 11, according to a company rep.
In addition to the rock concert and basketball star, Microsoft will be donating $1 million in software to “local organizations that help create opportunities for local youth” at the grand opening.
There are 20 Microsoft Stores across the country, with another 10 that are listed as “opening soon.” According to a press release, the Microsoft Store offers the following:
- “A curated assortment of products, including Windows 7 PCs, Windows Phones, Kinect for Xbox 360, Office 2010 and more.”
- “A range of tech trainings, business-ready PCs, phones and more.”
- “Community organizations are regularly hosted in the theater space and the employees are out in the community supporting local causes.”
- “Through a partnership with Skinit, customers can show off their personal style and design their own lids and skins for laptops, phones and Xbox.”
Crime Report: Man Threatens Mall Security With Knife
In this week’s Arlington County crime report, a man allegedly stole items from a store in the Pentagon City mall, then threatened a security officer with a knife when confronted.
ROBBERY, 06/09/12, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street. On June 9 at 7:45 pm, a subject stole merchandise from a store at the mall and when approached by the loss prevention officer, he fled the scene on foot. After being followed by the loss prevention officer, he threatened him with a knife. Police apprehended the subject a short time later in the mall parking garage. Lonnell Andre Buford, 40, of Washington, DC, was arrested and charged with robbery and possession of burglarious tools. He was held without bond.
The rest of this week’s crime report, after the jump.
New Stores Opening at Pentagon City Mall
A number of new stores have opened or are planning to open soon at The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.
A Bose store is now on the mall’s Metro level (ground floor). According to a mall press release, the location is a Bose “Personal Audio Store,” described as “the newest concept retail store featuring select products for the on-the-go customer who wants Bose to be a part of their active lifestyles.”
The Limited has moved into a new storefront in the mall. “The newly enlarged store will continue to offer the exclusive array of The Limited brand clothing and accessories and will introduce eloquii, their new line of full-figure fashion for plus sized women,” the press release says.
Coach is launching its first “dual concept” side-by-side men’s and women’s store in the nation. Set to open in “early June” on the mall’s second level, the expanded store will “feature a full line of Coach, America’s preeminent designer brand for both men and women.”
Tumi is scheduled to open a new showcase store on the mall’s second level. The travel and business accessory maker hopes to open on June 14.
Chioptle is set to open in the food court at some point during “the week of June 14.” The Mexican restaurant will be located next to a Taco Bell restaurant.
Finally, a Microsoft Store is expected to open at some point later this year. A rep says the store will be “opening soon” — but declined to elaborate. Microsoft currently has 20 retail stores in the United States.
“These incredibly successful retailers enhance the powerful and exciting offerings at The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City,” mall marketing director Todd Jerscheid said in a statement. “We’re extremely pleased to welcome their brands and unique fashion forward designs to our center.”
Security Breaks Up Sexual Encounter in Mall Bathroom
Police responded to the Pentagon City mall on Thursday for a report of an “obscene sexual display” in a restroom.
The security manager of a department store called police around 11:30 a.m. after finding a man masturbating in the middle of the store’s third floor bathroom. The suspect, described as a 5’9″ black male in his late 20s, was peering at another man in a bathroom stall while masturbating, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. A third man was also present in the bathroom during the incident, watching the other two. The men had deliberately met up in the bathroom for sexual purposes, Sternbeck said.
The suspects all fled the scene before police arrived.
While Sternbeck was unable to confirm the identity of the store involved, a “cruising” website for men seeking sexual encounters contains a listing for the third floor bathroom of the Macy’s store in Pentagon City.
Police to Hold ‘Active Shooter’ Training Exercise at Mall
The Arlington County Police Department and other county agencies will be holding an “active shooter” training exercise at the Pentagon City mall Sunday morning.
The exercise will be held from 4:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, and will “assess the response of Arlington County’s public safety agencies in a simulated active shooter emergency incident.”
“The public should be advised that there could potentially be some temporary traffic delays as emergency equipment is positioned,” the police department said in a press release. “There will be a large number of public safety vehicles in the area of The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City and several parking lots along Army Navy Drive in close proximity to the mall. The exercise participants will not be activating their emergency lights or sirens at any time during the training.”
The mall will be opening for normal shopping hours after the exercise.
Coach Men’s Store Coming to Pentagon City Mall
A high end tenant is getting ready to move into the Pentagon City mall. An advertisement has gone up for Coach Men’s Collection.
It’s located next to the Apple store, and is expected to open in May. The company appears to be accepting employment applications for the new store, according to a note on the ad.
Although Coach is now typically known for its designer women’s handbags, its website says: “Founded in New York in 1941, Coach was originally a men’s leathergoods company.”
The new men’s store will join the already existing women’s Coach store in the mall.
“Top Model” to Hold Casting Call in Pentagon City
Here’s a chance to strut your stuff in an attempt to get on television. America’s Next Top Model will be holding a casting call in Pentagon City.
This season will be the “college edition” and casting directors are looking for ladies involved in all types of continuing education. They’ll be recruiting at the Pentagon City mall from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Applicants must be females between the ages of 18 and 27, and need to be at least 5’7″ tall. A filled out application and photo ID are required at the casting call. Additional eligibility requirements are available online.
Crime Report: Witness Punched, Drug Suspect Tased
This week’s Arlington County crime report contained a number of notable items. Among them:
On Tuesday, Feb. 7, a suspect tried to flee after police found 32 grams of crack cocaine during a traffic stop on S. Glebe Road. Police used a Taser to help stop the suspect, identified by police as 41-year-old Deron Brown of Washington, D.C. Brown was charged with possession with the intent to distribute.
POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE (COCAINE), 02/07/12, 1200 block of S. Glebe Road. During a traffic stop at 2:30 pm on February 7, officers located approximately 32 grams of crack cocaine, a scale, six cell phones, numerous baggies and cash on a subject. When the subject resisted commands from officers and attempted to flee the scene on foot, he was tased. The subject was arrested and charged with transporting in excess of 28 grams of crack cocaine into the commonwealth, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and obstruction of justice. The subject has a past criminal history to include murder and armed robbery.
On Monday, Feb. 6, three juvenile suspects snatched the cell phone of a man at Pentagon City mall and tried to flee to the nearby Metro station. A witness, however, was able to apprehend one of the suspects — and was punched in the face during the apprehension.
ROBBERY, 02/06/12, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street. On February 6 at 1:50 pm, two juvenile males distracted a man in the food court of Pentagon City Mall, while a third juvenile subject grabbed the victims iPhone. All three suspects ran towards the Metro escalator. A witness was able to apprehend one of the suspects and was punched in the face as a result. Mall security held the suspect in custody until police arrived. The apprehended suspect provided police information on his two accomplices.
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, a “known gang affiliate” was stabbed in the abdomen after leaving a soccer game at Gunston Middle School.
MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 02/01/12, 1400 block of S. 28th Street. Arlington County officers were dispatched to INOVA Alexandria Hospital in reference to a victim that was stabbed in the abdomen. Shortly before 4 pm on February 1, the male victim and known gang affiliate, had left a soccer game at Gunston Middle School and was stabbed by an unknown subject. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6’3” tall with a skinny build. At the time of the incident, the suspect was wearing a black Northface jacket, black fleece pants, black Nike boots and a black baseball hat.
The rest of this week’s crime report, after the jump.
Chipotle Coming to Pentagon City Food Court
A new Chipotle location is coming to the Pentagon City mall food court, according to a construction barrier that replaced what was formerly a cheesesteak restaurant.
When Chipotle opens for business — no word yet on an expected opening date — it will open directly next to a Taco Bell.
It will also face competition from the currently under-construction Lime Fresh Mexican Grill, which is opening in nearby Pentagon Row, and from the sit-down Chevys Fresh Mex, located across the street at the Pentagon Centre shopping center.
Photo courtesy @RahulG86
Crime Report: Church Burglary Edition
Someone had the nerve to break into the Greenbrier Baptist Church and steal a laptop last week, according to the latest Arlington County crime report.
BURGLARY, 01/05/12, 5400 block of S. 7th Road. Between 7:30 pm on January 4, and 6:20 am on January 5, an unknown subject entered through a basement window of a local church. A laptop computer was stolen. There is no suspect description.
Also last week, someone was bold enough to break into at least five vehicles in the Pentagon City mall parking garage in the middle of the day.
LARCENY FROM AUTO (SERIES), 01/04/11, 800 block of Army Navy Drive. On January 4 between 9 am and 1:30 pm, an unknown subject broke into at least five vehicles in a mall parking garage. Various items were stolen. There is no suspect description.
The rest of this week’s shorter-than-usual crime report, after the jump.
