Crime Report: Gropings in Pentagon City and Along Columbia Pike

Two women were groped in separate incidents over the weekend.

On Friday evening, a woman was allegedly touched inappropriately in a store at the Pentagon City mall, leading to the arrest of a 24-year-old Alexandria man.

On Saturday afternoon, a man hugged a woman without her permission and also touched her breasts. That groping happened in an elevator of an apartment building near Columbia Pike.

More from this week’s Arlington County Police Department crime report:

SEXUAL BATTERY, 2018-05250226, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street. At approximately 5:42 p.m. on May 25, security at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City requested the assistance of police. Upon arrival, it was determined that the female victim was inside a store when the male suspect brushed against her and touched her inappropriately. The suspect fled prior to police arrival, but was located returning to the store while units were still on scene. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the suspect was also wanted out of Fairfax County. Sterling Flowers, 24, of Alexandria, VA, was arrested and charged with Sexual Battery. He was held on no bond.

SEXUAL BATTERY (late), 2018-05260118, 1300 block of S. Scott Street. At approximately 12:30 p.m. on May 26, police were dispatched to the late report of a sexual assault. Upon arrival, it was determined that on May 15 at approximately 1:15 a.m., when the victim was entering an elevator in a residential building, the male suspect approached her and asked if he could hug her. Before the victim could respond, the suspect hugged the victim tightly and touched her breasts. The victim was able to push the suspect away and exit the elevator. The suspect is described as an olive skinned male, approximately 5’8″, with short, straight, dark black hair and an average build. The investigation is ongoing.

The rest of this past week’s crime report highlights, including one that we’ve already reported, after the jump.

BURGLARY (late), 2018-05290225, 3300 block of 2nd Street S. At approximately 7:47 p.m., police were dispatched to the late report of a burglary. Upon arrival, it was determined that between 6:30 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. on May 29, an unknown suspect(s) entered a residence and rummaged through multiple rooms. Nothing was reported missing from the residence. There is no suspect(s) description. The investigation is ongoing.

ARMED ROBBERY, 2018-05270026, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street. At approximately 2:21 a.m. on May 27, police were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim was in a back room of the business when two unknown male suspects entered the room. One suspect brandished a firearm, hit the victim in the face with it, and demanded cash, while second suspect, brandishing a taser, stole cash and items of value. Both suspects fled the scene on foot prior to police arrival. The victim did not require medical treatment. Suspect One is described as a black male, in his 40’s or 50’s, approximately 6’3″, with a thin build, wearing a dark hat and dark pants. Suspect Two is described as a black male, in his late 30’s or 40’s, with an athletic or stocky build, wearing a dark hoodie with the hood up, a mask and gloves. The investigation is ongoing.

INDECENT EXPOSURE, 2018-05240147, 3800 block of 7th Street N. At approximately 1:38 p.m. on May 24, police were dispatched to the report of an exposure. Upon arrival, it was determined that a witness observed a male suspect expose himself to a female victim running in the area. The suspect is described as an older white male wearing a white t-shirt and a blue hat. The investigation is ongoing.