UPDATED: Police investigating reported sexual assault and slashing in Crystal City

Update on 7/24/23 — A suspect has been arrested in the case, Arlington County police say.

Earlier: Arlington County police are investigating a sexual assault and slashing in Crystal City last night.

Police and medics were dispatched to the 1900 block of Richmond Highway on Saturday just before 8:30 p.m., for a report of a woman who was slashed with a box cutter and robbed of her phone. Later it was reported that she was also sexually assaulted.

A source told ARLnow that the attack happened in an underground portion of Crystal City’s network of shops and tunnels.

This is at least the second sexual assault in Arlington this week. On Monday night a man was arrested and accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the Courthouse Metro station.

Arlington County police issued the following press release about Saturday’s sexual assault early Sunday afternoon, confirming some of the details in our earlier reporting.

The Arlington County Police Department is investigating a sexual assault and robbery which occurred in the 1900 block of S. Bell Street on the evening of July 22.

At approximately 8:24 p.m., police were dispatched to the report of an assault with a weapon. The preliminary investigation indicates the female victim was walking in the Crystal City Shops when the male suspect approached, produced a box cutter, demanded money and stole her cell phone. The suspect then took the victim to a secluded area where he sexually assaulted her and struck her with the box cutter, resulting in a laceration. The victim was able to exit the area and seek assistance from individuals in the 1900 block of Richmond Highway who contacted emergency services. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment of physical injuries considered non-life threatening.

Responding officers established a perimeter and canvassed the area for the suspect which concluded with negative results. The suspect is described as a Black male in his mid-20’s with dark hair and a beard. He was wearing a gray t-shirt, black shorts with gray leggings underneath and carrying a green duffle bag.

This remains an active criminal investigation. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Detective Maldonado 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). For additional community resources and contact information, visit our website.