The suspect, 58-year-old Ibrahim Abdullah, was arrested by Fairfax County police at a house on the 1700 block of N. Quebec Street. The arrest happened around 1:40 p.m. on Thursday and prompted some curious neighbors to question why police from another jurisdiction were carrying out an arrest an Arlington home.

According to Fairfax County Police spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell, Abdullah is accused of swiping a credit card from a victim’s purse or wallet. The alleged theft happened at a Panera Bread restaurant in the Tysons Corner area on Monday, May 27.

Police say Abdullah then used the credit card to make purchases at several Tysons Corner stores. He has been charged with credit card theft and credit card fraud, Caldwell said.

Arlington County police are asking for help identifying three suspects who allegedly stole credit cards and cell phones from from the locker rooms of two high school pools.

The suspects were caught on surveillance camera at a CVS in northwest Washington where police say they used their victims’ credit cards.

From an ACPD press release:

The Arlington County Police Department’s Burglary/Larceny Unit is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying three suspect that were involved in larcenies that took place in local aquatic center locker rooms.

On the morning of March 30, 2013, a victim was swimming at the Washington and Lee High School Aquatics Center and had his belongings stolen from his locker in the locker room. In this incident, the victim found that his lock had been cut, and also discovered that his iPhone 4 and credit cards were among the missing items. Later that same day, a victim was swimming at Yorktown High School Aquatics Center and had his wallet stolen from his locker room locker. The victim’s lock, Blackberry phone, cash, and credit cards were among the items stolen. Credit cards stolen from both aquatic centers were used at a CVS in NW, Washington, D.C. by the three suspects in the attached photographs.

Suspect one is described as a black female, wearing black pants, a blue jacket, and a baseball cap while using the credit cards. Suspect two is described as a black female, wearing dark pants, a red hooded sweatshirt, and had a short style haircut. Suspect three is described as a black male with glasses, wearing camouflage pants and a t-shirt with a unique graphic. These subjects have been seen together at the Wakefield High School Aquatics Center in recent weeks, but it is unknown if anything was stolen at that time.

If anyone has information on the whereabouts of this individual, please contact Detective James Stone of the Arlington County Police Department’s Burglary/Larceny Unit at 703.228.4245 or at Jstone@arlingtonva.us. To report information anonymously, contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866.411.TIPS (8477).

Photos courtesy ACPD

WJLA and NewsChannel 8 for Sale — Rosslyn-based TV station WJLA (ABC 7) has been offered for sale by Allbritton Communications. The company is seeking to sell WJLA and its companion cable channel NewsChannel 8 in order to continue investing in new media, like its Politico website and newspaper. Disney, owner of the ABC television network, is thought to be a likely buyer. [WBJ, Washington Post, Politico]

Brink, Lopez Announce Reelection Bids — Dels. Bob Brink and Alfonso Lopez announced their bids for reelection to the Virginia House of Delegates at last night’s Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting. As part of his speech, Lopez made fun of a Republican effort in the state legislature to study the creation of a Virginia-based currency. Lopez joked that he wanted his face on the Virginia $5 bill and Brink’s on the $10 bill, so that “in Virginia it would cost a Brink and a Lopez to buy a pizza.” [Blue Virginia]

‘Over the Edge’ Fundraiser in Crystal City — Today, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., people will be rappelling 15 stories down the Hilton Crystal City at 2399 Jefferson Davis Highway as part of a fundraiser for the Special Olympics. Among those scheduled to go “over the edge” today is Washington Nationals mascot Screech. The fundraiser will also run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. tomorrow (Friday). [Event Calendar, Special Olympics Virginia]

County Sells $206 Million in Bonds — Arlington County sold $206 million in bonds on Tuesday. The bonds were sold at a low 2.5 percent interest rate. The refunding of older bonds under the low rate will save the county about $5 million. [Arlington County]

Police Looking for Wallet Thief — Arlington police are looking for a man who allegedly stole a victim’s wallet in the Clarendon area last month. [ACPD]

Flickr pool photo by Wolfkann

BURGLARY, 04/11/13, 4600 block of S. 34th Street. Between 7:30 pm and 8 pm on April 11, a victim went on a walk in his neighborhood. When he returned home, it was discovered that a laptop had been stolen from the kitchen. There were no signs of forced entry and there is no suspect(s) description.

BURGLARY, 04/13/13, 700 block of S. Ode Street. Between 3 and 8:30 pm on April 13, an unknown subject(s) entered a residence and stole a 13” Macbook Pro. There is no suspect(s) description.

BURGLARY, 04/16/13, 3000 block of N. Harrison Street. Between 7:45 am and 6:15 pm on April 16, an unknown suspect(s) entered a residence and stole a Dell laptop and US passport. There is no suspect(s) description.

The rest of this week’s crime report, after the jump.

ROBBERY BY FORCE, 04/11/13, 1400 block of N. Herndon Street. At 10:41 pm on April 11, a female victim was walking to her parked vehicle when an unknown male subject approached her. The subject forcefully stole the victim’s wallet and fled the scene by foot. The suspect is described as an approximately 25-year-old white male, 6’0” tall and 170 lbs. During the crime, the suspect was wearing a dark plaid shirt and a baseball cap.

ARMED ROBBERY, 04/14/13, 200 block of S. Glebe Road. At 9:45 pm on April 13, a juvenile subject was walking home when he was approached by four subjects with ski masks and all black clothing from behind. One of the subjects brandished a knife and demanded the victim’s iPhone. The victim handed over his phone and the subjects fled the scene on foot.

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY, 04/12/13, 3000 block of S. Abingdon Street. On April 11 at 10 pm, a male subject brandished a knife and demanded money from a victim who was sitting on a park bench. The victim immediately dialed 911 and the subject fled the scene on foot. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5’7” tall and had pulled his white t-shirt up over his head to conceal his face. The suspect remains at-large.

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT OF CHILDREN, 04/11/13, 2600 block of Shirlington Road. At 9 am on April 11, police pulled over a vehicle occupied by two adults and seven young children. All of the children were under the age of 3 years old, and none of them were buckled in with any type of safety restraints. One child was unsecured and sitting in the lap of the adult in the front passenger seat. Two of the children were seated in the rear cargo area of the vehicle, which had no seats and no restraints. When police questioned the two adult suspects, it was found that they were the owners of a daycare center in Alexandria, VA. None of the children were physically injured, and all of the children were returned to their parents. Betty Ross, 34, and Cassandra Lewis, 37, both of Alexandria, VA were charged with seven counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Both have been released on summons.

PEEPING TOM, 04/12/13, 4400 block of S. 31st Street. At 10:13 pm on April 12, two female victims were inside their residence when they saw a male subject looking inside their apartment windows. When one of the victims opened up the back door of the residence, the subject fled the immediate area and was seen hiding behind trees. A K9 search was negative and the suspect remains at-large. He was described as a white Hispanic male, in his late 30’s with short black hair. He was wearing a black t-shirt and baggie jeans at the time of the incident.

ATTEMPTED BURGLARY, 04/11/13, 6900 block of N. Williamsburg Boulevard. Between 9 am and 4 pm on April 11, an unknown subject cut window screens located at the back of a house. However, the subject was unable to gain entry into the residence. There is no suspect(s) description.

ATTEMPTED BREAKING & ENTERING, 04/15/13, 4200 block of N. Wilson Boulevard. Between 2 pm on April 13 and 6 am on April 15, an unknown subject(s) tampered with the door of a locked office. The subject was unable to gain entry. There is no suspect(s) description.

STOLEN VEHICLES

04/11/13, IL A612855, 2012 Nissan Sentra, White, 1400 block of N. Lee Highway
04/13/13, VA ICURMT2, 1999 Dodge Caravan, Red, 6400 block of N. Washington Boulevard
04/15/13, VA H517970, 2006 Lincoln Towncar, Black, 900 block of N. Barton Street

Advisory Lifted for Local Waterways — A warning from Arlington County to stay out of Arlington Branch, Lower Long Branch and Four Mile Run has been lifted. The advisory was issued on April 9 after a sewage release near Columbia Pike. “The precaution was issued to allow time for the effect of the release to be diminished by natural flushing of the streams,” the county said. [Arlington County]

Husband of Track Coach Caught Boston Chaos on Camera — John Walls, the husband of Bishop O’Connell cross country and track coach Cindy Walls, captured the chaos of the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings on video. Walls was waiting for Cindy and his daughter Katie to cross the finish line when one of the bombs exploded across the street from where he was seated. He was shaken but uninjured. [WJLA]

Burned-Down House Cited for Code Violations — The Hall’s Hill house that was destroyed by fire yesterday has been cited several times in the past for building code violations. Officials are now investigating whether property owner Paul Chretien was in violation of the code by allowing more than four unrelated people to live in the house. [Washington Post]

Police Seek Theft Suspect — The Arlington County Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a 21-year-old man who stole an iPhone. “Police believe that the suspect has also been involved in several other crimes,” according to a press release. [Arlington County]

Update on 4/11/13 — Bouhou and Blunt have been arrested, police say.

The Arlington County Police Department has released photos of six theft suspects in the hopes of getting new information on their whereabouts.

The police department is asking for the public’s help in locating the men, who are accused of various thefts around Arlington. Among the suspects:

• Hamid Bouhou, 44, who’s accused of stealing credit cards from a Starbucks store in Rosslyn
• Frederick Blunt, 33, who’s accused of stealing personal hygiene products from a CVS in Ballston
• One man, 25-35 years old, accused of stealing patio chairs from a restaurant in Shirlington
• Two men, 20-30 years old, accused of stealing from the Virginia ABC store on Columbia Pike
• One man, 40-50 years old, also accused of stealing from the ABC store on Columbia Pike

A police spokesman says the department is trying to be more proactive about asking for the public’s help when trying to locate suspects.

Photos courtesy Arlington County Police Department

USS Arlington To Be Commissioned – The USS Arlington will be commissioned in Norfolk on Saturday. Fundraising for a 9/11 tribute room on the ship is continuing, as supporters have only raised $362,000 of the hope-for $500,000. [Washington Post, Patch]

Police Seek Wallet Thief — Arlington County Police are looking for a man who stole a victim’s wallet while at a bar/restaurant in Ballston. The man then used the victim’s credit cards at a store on the 200 block of S. Glebe Road. [Arlington County]

Fundraiser for Prisoner Assistance Org — A fundraiser was held Thursday for Offender Aid and Restoration, a group that “works in Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church with support programs for those in jail and prison, and assistance when they return to life outside a cell.” [Sun Gazette]

Flickr pool photo by BrianMKA

Police say Kyle David Stefanye, 20, was attempting to steal a car from a repair shop — likely the Don Pool Mercedes-Benz repair shop – on the 6900 block of Lee Highway in East Falls Church. He allegedly managed to turn the car on, but his escape plan hit a snag: he tried, unsuccessfully, to ram the garage door, according to police.

Police later arrived and arrested Stefanye inside the shop. From the crime report:

BURGLARY, 02/07/13, 6900 block of N. Lee Highway. At 1:42 am on February 7, police responded to a report of a burglary in progress. The subject was inside the garage of a repair shop and was attempting to steal a car. After turning the car on, the subject attempted to drive through the bay door by ramming it. When police entered the building, they were able to take the suspect into custody. Kyle David Stefanye, 20, of Reston, VA was arrested and charged with burglary and attempted grand larceny of an auto. He is currently being held without bond.

Arlington County auto crimes detectives are “actively engaged in” an investigation into the thefts, said ACPD spokesman Dustin Sternbeck, who couldn’t recall any other taxi thefts in Arlington in the past year. The cabs all had D.C. tags and ranged in model year from 1998 to 2004.

From the stolen vehicle portion of this week’s crime report:

01/23/13, DC 01232H, 2004 Ford Crown Victoria (Taxi), White/Yellow, 5500 block of S. Columbia Pike
01/23/13, DC H95014, 2002 Ford Crown Victoria (Taxi), Blue, 5500 block of S. Columbia Pike
01/28/13, DC H87744, 1998 Ford Crown Victoria (Taxi), Blue and Gray, 5500 block of S. Columbia Pike

Also in this week’s crime report, a woman was grabbed from behind while walking home from the Ballston Metro station. Her purse was stolen but she was otherwise physically uninjured.

ROBBERY, 01/24/13, 4400 block of N. 4th Street. At 11:53 pm on January 23, as a female victim was walking home from the Ballston Metro station alone, she was approached from behind by a male subject who placed his hand over her face and grabbed her purse. The subject fled the scene on foot and was not located. He is described as a black male, approximately 5’7” tall and 160 lbs. He was wearing a black wool coat, dark jeans, knit hat, light colored scarf and dark gloves at the time of the incident.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump.

File photo

ROBBERY, 01/27/13, 700 block of N. Glebe Road. At 2:43 pm on January 27, two subjects entered a store together and attempted to steal merchandise by placing items in a bag. The two subjects were confronted by loss prevention while trying to leave the store with the stolen merchandise. The female subject struck a loss prevention employee and attempted to flee by foot. Sarah Karam, 22, of Arlington, VA was arrested and charged with robbery. She is being held without bond. Fahad Algour, 27, of Falls Church, VA was arrested and charged with grand larceny and is being held on a $2,000 secure bond.

MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 01/26/13, 1200 block of S. Courthouse Road. At 8:10 pm on January 26, a suspect and victim got into a verbal altercation outside of an apartment. The argument escalated into a physical fight, and the suspect stabbed the victim. The victim was transported to George Washington Hospital for treatment of his stab wounds. The victim’s injuries were non life-threatening. Derek Warren Straughn, 57, of Arlington, VA was arrested and charged with malicious wounding. He is currently being held without bond.

BURGLARY, 01/23/13, 800 block of N. Abingdon Street. Between 12:45 and 1:15 pm on January 23, an unknown subject(s) entered a locked residence and stole various items to include electronics and cash. There is no suspect(s) description.

BURGLARY, 01/24/13, 700 block of S. Adams Street. Between 11:30 am and 1:50 pm on January 24, an unknown subject(s) entered a locked residence. It is unknown at this time if anything was stolen. There is no suspect(s) description.

BURGLARY, 01/26/13, 600 block of N. Abingdon Street. Between 10 am and 11:37 pm on January 25, an unknown subject(s) broke into a residence. The subject(s) forced entry by prying open a basement door. The entire house was rummaged through and several items were stolen from the residence. There is no suspect(s) description.

BURGLARY, 01/27/13, 2200 block of S. Pollard Street. Between 9 am on January 25 and 9:02 pm on January 27, an unknown subject(s) broke into a residence. The subject(s) gained entry into the home by smashing a sliding glass door. The unknown subject(s) stole a gun belonging to the victim. Nothing else appeared to be stolen. There is no suspect(s) description.

BURGLARY, 01/28/13, 1500 block of N. Wilson Boulevard. Between 5 pm on January 18 and 10:55 am on January 28, an unknown subject(s) broke into a commercial building. The suspect(s) used a tool to force entry into a room within the building and stole eight laptops. There is no suspect(s) description.

BURGLARY, 01/28/13, 2500 block of N. Wilson Boulevard. Between 6:30 pm on January 25 and 11:19 am on January 28, an unknown subject(s) broke into a commercial building. The subject(s) forced entry into an office using a tool. Two laptops were stolen. There is no suspect(s) description.

BURGLARY, 01/28/13, 3900 block of N. 5th Street. At 11:20 am on January 28, two suspects were seen breaking into a residence by a neighbor. Both subjects were taken into custody following a foot pursuit. Stolen items, including electronics and jewelry, were found on the subjects and returned to the owners. Ladell Powell, 20, of no fixed address, and Anthony Bryant Jr., 19, of Beaumont, VA, were arrested and charged with burglary.

STOLEN VEHICLES

01/23/13, VA XFD-2666, 2003 Chevrolet Econoline, White, 1100 block of S. Wakefield Street
01/25/13, IL K197616, 2006 Honda Civic, Grey, 300 block of N. Madison Street
01/27/13, VA WXL3037, 2001 Toyota Camry, Silver, 900 block of S. Wakefield Street
01/28/13, VA XEV4370, 2011 Ford E-250 Econoline Van, White, 4200 block of S. Four Mile Run Drive
01/28/13, VA XDB1830, 2001 Ford CVC, Silver, 1200 block of S. Courthouse Road
01/28/13, VA 727157, 2008 Suzuki GXR 600 (Motorcycle), Black, 1200 block of S. Courthouse Road
01/28/13, VA KHA3185, 2001 Ford E150 Van, White, 4100 block of S. Columbia Pike

Thieves Steal Wheels from Hotel — Two suspects were seen stealing tires and rims from two vehicles parked at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott (1700 Jefferson Davis Highway) early Thursday morning. A security guard tried to intervene but the suspects fled. Arlington, particularly south Arlington, has seen an apparent uptick in wheel thefts recently. [NBC Washington]

Santa Coming to Clarendon Saturday — Santa Claus will be coming to Clarendon on Saturday evening. The Jolly Old Elf will arrive at Market Common Clarendon (2700 Clarendon Blvd) on a “big red sleigh,” otherwise known as an Arlington County fire truck, at 4:00 p.m. He will be on hand for photos until 7:00 p.m. There will also be strolling carolers and other family-friendly entertainment. It’s the shopping center’s 12th annual “Winter Wonderland” event. [Market Common Clarendon]

Last Westover Farmers Market of 2012 — The new Westover Farmers Market will hold its last market of the year from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. The market, located at the corner of Washington Blvd and N. McKinley Road, will go on a holiday hiatus before returning on Jan. 13, 2013. The  market’s winter hours run through April. [Westover Farmers Market]

Brink Commends Funding for Blind Students — Del. Bob Brink (D-Arlington) is praising Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) for his proposal to add $4.9 million in funding for blind and visually impaired students to the upcoming Virginia budget. The funds will help localities cover the cost of teachers, teacher’s aides and staff for blind and visually impaired students. [Alexandria News]

Bike Advocates Call For Plowed Trails — Bicyclists are calling on Arlington County to start plowing snow from bike and pedestrian trails. “By failing to plow the trails, [Arlington's Department of Environmental Services] puts more people onto the streets in cars,” said one bicycle advocate during yesterday’s county-organized online snow chat. “Is that really what you want, during a snow event?” [Along the Pike]

Flickr pool photo by Philliefan99