Update 2/20/26: The felony charge has been dropped, but the driver was found guilty of two misdemeanors: assault and battery and property damage under $1,000. He has received a suspended six-month sentence.
A 58-year-old Arlington man is in jail after police say he purposely struck a bicyclist with his car following an argument.
The incident happened Sunday morning near Long Bridge Park. The cyclist only suffered minor injuries, but his bike was damaged, police said.
The suspect is facing a pair of charges, including attempted malicious wounding, a felony. More, below, from the latest Arlington County Police Department crime report.
ATTEMPTED MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2025-10190094, 400 block of Long Bridge Drive. At approximately 11:13 a.m. on October 19, police were dispatched to the report of a vehicle crash. Upon arrival, it was determined that following a dispute, the male victim, who was on a bike, and the male suspect, who was driving in the area, pulled into a parking lot. The dispute continued during which the suspect allegedly accelerated his vehicle, striking the victim, causing him to fall to the ground and damaging the bicycle. The victim sustained minor injuries and did not require medical attention. The victim self-reported to the Office of the Magistrate and obtained warrants for the suspect, who was taken into custody on scene. Samuel Thernstrom, 58, of Arlington, Va. was arrested and charged with Attempted Malicious Wounding and Destruction of Property. He was held without bond.
Also in a recent ACPD crime report, police say a 30-year-old man “assaulted multiple officers” while resisting arrest following a theft from a business in the Buckingham neighborhood.
One of the officers was hospitalized, police said.
From the crime report:
MALICIOUS WOUNDING ON POLICE, 2025-10160158, 200 block of N. Glebe Road. At approximately 6:41 p.m. on October 16, police were dispatched to the report of a larceny in progress. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect entered the business, allegedly concealed merchandise, and exited the store without payment. A lookout was broadcast, and a responding officer located an individual matching the description and issued commands which the suspect ignored. The suspect fled and a foot pursuit ensued to the 4100 block of 3rd Road N., where an officer attempted to take the suspect into custody. The suspect resisted and assaulted multiple officers. One officer was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A second officer was evaluated for injuries on scene and released. Medics transported the suspect to an area hospital for evaluation. Naomi Spruill, 30, of No Fixed Address, was arrested, and charged with Malicious Wounding on Police, Assault on Police, Disarming of a Law Enforcement Officer, Obstruction of Justice, and Shoplifting. He was held without bond.
The same suspect has faced about a dozen other charges in Arlington over the past couple of years, including theft and destruction of property, according to General District Court records. He has also faced several larceny charges in the City of Fairfax in recent years, according to police.
