A local man is facing various charges after a violent alleged incident in the Rosslyn area Wednesday afternoon.
It happened around 1 p.m., outside of an apartment building on the 1600 block of 18th Street N. That’s also near the Rosslyn Highlands playground.
Arlington County police say Brian Driver, a 46-year-old Arlington resident, was seen chasing a man while armed with a knife. When police arrived on scene, “the suspect was non-compliant and subsequently grabbed the officer and attempted to strike them,” ACPD said.
Backup rushed to the scene and multiple officers restrained the suspect. One officer reportedly sustained minor injuries.
Driver is the same man who was accused of robbing a 7-Eleven on S. Glebe Road with a hammer, leading to a lockdown of nearby Thomas Jefferson Middle School and a panicked relative of a student allegedly trying to break in to the school while armed with a gun.
According to court records, Driver was convicted of assault and battery in connection with the June 10, 2022 incident and sentenced to 6 months in jail. Over the past few years he has also faced numerous assault and drunk-in-public charges, most of which have been dropped or dismissed.
More on the latest incident, below, from an ACPD crime report.
ASSAULT ON POLICE, 2024-11200142, 1600 block of 18th Street N. At approximately 1:04 p.m. on November 20, police were dispatched to the report of a suspicious person. Upon arrival, it was determined the male victim was outside a residential building when the male suspect began chasing him with a knife. A responding officer observed the suspect and issued him commands. The suspect was non-compliant and subsequently grabbed the officer and attempted to strike them. The suspect resisted the officer’s attempts to detain him and with the assistance of additional responding officers, the suspect was taken into custody. The officer sustained minor injuries and the victim did not report any injuries. While in custody the suspect continued to act disorderly and attempted to kick another officer. During the course of the investigation, a knife was recovered. Brian Driver, 46, of Arlington, Va. was arrested and charged with Assault on Police, Attempted Malicious Wounding of a Law Enforcement Officer, Attempted Assault & Battery, Obstruction of Justice and Public Intoxication. He was held without bond.
