A 47-year-old Richmond man is facing charges after police say he robbed a store and then threw a fake gun at responding officers.
The incident happened Friday afternoon after 3 p.m., in the Courthouse area.
More, below, from today’s Arlington County Police Department crime report.
ASSAULT ON POLICE, 2023-09080157, 2000 block of Clarendon Boulevard. At approximately 3:19 p.m. on September 8, police were dispatched to the report of a brandishing. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect entered the business and allegedly concealed merchandise before attempting to exit the store without payment. A store employee confronted the suspect during which he lifted his shirt exposing what appeared to be a firearm before fleeing the scene on foot. Responding officers canvassed the area, located the suspect and gave him commands to stop. The suspect disregarded their commands and continued to walk away before stopping, lifting his shirt and throwing the firearm in the direction of the officers. The officers then took the suspect into custody and recovered the firearm which was determined to be a replica. [The suspect], 47, of Richmond Va. was arrested and charged with Robbery and Assault on Police (x2).
Also in today’s crime report were a number of weekend incidents involving guns, including a shots fired call in Glencarlyn, a gun brandishing in Clarendon, and an armed robbery of jewelry along Columbia Pike.
From ACPD:
SHOTS FIRED, 2023-09100027, 300 block of S. Harrison Street. At approximately 1:44 a.m. on September 10, police were dispatched to the report of shots heard. Upon arrival, officers recovered evidence confirming several shots had been fired. Witnesses reported observing several unknown individuals running from the area after the shots were discharged. No victims or property damage were located. There is no suspect description(s). The investigation is ongoing.
BRANDISHING, 2023-09100028, 3100 block of Clarendon Boulevard. At approximately 1:49 a.m. on September 10, the victim approached an officer to report disorderly conduct. The preliminary investigation indicates that following a dispute earlier in the evening where the suspect was allegedly acting disorderly inside a business, he approached an employee of the business and lifted his shirt to display a firearm. The suspect then fled the scene on foot. Officers canvassed the area for the suspect yielding negative results.
ROBBERY, 2023-09090226, 1800 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 8:10 p.m. on September 9, police were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, it was determined the male victim met with the suspect, an acquittance, for the prearranged sale of jewelry. During the incident, the suspect grabbed the jewelry and ran to his vehicle. The victim ran after him and upon arriving at the suspect’s vehicle, observed the passenger brandishing a firearm. The suspects then fled the scene in the vehicle with the stolen jewelry. The investigation is ongoing.
A carjacking attempt in the Ballston area Monday morning was foiled by the vehicle’s stick shift, police say.
The incident happened around 5:45 a.m. on Labor Day at the Harris Teeter parking lot on the 600 block of N. Glebe Road.
Three men carjacked a victim who was driving a Kia Soul, but did not get far as they apparently did not know how to operate the vehicle’s manual transmission, according to police and scanner traffic.
The Fairfax County police helicopter was called in to help search for the suspects but they were not found and remain at large.
More, below, from today’s Arlington County police crime report.
ATTEMPTED CARJACKING, 2023-09040047, 600 block of N. Glebe Road. At approximately 5:44 a.m. on September 4, police were dispatched to the report of a stolen vehicle. Upon arrival, it was determined the victim was exiting his parked vehicle when he was approached by three male suspects. The suspects instructed the victim to place his car keys on the hood of his car. The victim complied and walked away from the vehicle. The suspects fled the scene on foot after allegedly determining the vehicle was a manual transmission. Officers canvassed the area for the suspects yielding negative results. The suspects are described as white or Hispanic males, approximately 18-26 years old, wearing all black clothing. The investigation is ongoing.
Earlier Monday morning, police responded to an alleged incident involving an intoxicated suspect threatening a victim with a machete near Courthouse and Rocky Run Park.
From ACPD:
ATTEMPTED MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2023-09040035, 2300 block of 11th Street N. At approximately 3:16 a.m. on September 4, police responded to the report of a possible mental health call for service. The preliminary investigation determined the male victim was outside a residential building when he observed the male suspect walk by holding a machete. A short time later, the suspect returned and initiated a conversation with the victim, during which he allegedly brandished the machete. The victim ran and the suspect chased after him while making threatening statements. The victim was able to get to a safe location and no injuries were reported. Responding officers located the suspect in the area with the machete and took him into custody without incident. [The suspect], 33, of Arlington, Va. was arrested and charged with Attempted Malicious Wounding, Brandishing and Public Intoxication. He was held without bond.
Also in today’s crime report, police said the gunfire near the Ballston Metro station over the weekend stemmed from a dispute between two people.
SHOT FIRED, 2023-09010239, N. Stuart Street at Fairfax Drive. At approximately 8:21 p.m. on September 1, police were dispatched to the report of a possible assault with a weapon. Upon arrival, it was determined the male victim and suspect became involved in a verbal dispute during which the suspect brandished and discharged a firearm. No injuries or property damage were reported.
Someone fired gunshots across from the Ballston Metro station tonight (Friday).
Police were dispatched to the scene at Fairfax Drive and N. Stuart Street around 8:20 p.m. for a report of a shooting. They arrived and reportedly found shell casings on the street in front of the Subway restaurant but no one injured.
A lookout was broadcast for a possible suspect who fled into the Metro station, but police could not find him.
Arlington County police responded to North Stuart Street and Fairfax Drive to assist Metro Transit police investigate the sounds of gunfire near Ballston around 8:21 p.m.
Officers canvassed the Metro and found nobody shot but did find shell casings.@ARLnowDOTcom #wmata pic.twitter.com/HY59Lc4y1D
— Alan Henney (@alanhenney) September 2, 2023
Update at 6:20 p.m. — Arlington County police just announced that a 21-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged in the incident. A shot was fired, police confirmed, in close proximity to a preschool and Drew Elementary School.
From an ACPD press release:
The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is announcing the arrest of a suspect following an investigation into a fight with a shot fired. Chase Smith, 21, of Arlington, VA is charged with Attempted Aggravated Malicious Wounding and Discharge of a Firearm within 1,000 feet of a School. He is being held on a $3,500 secured bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.
At approximately 10:29 a.m. on June 7, 2023, police were dispatched to the 2200 block of S. Kenmore Street for the report of a fight involving a firearm. Prior to police arrival, the suspect ran from the scene. Responding officers located him in the 3400 block of 22nd Street S. and took him into custody without incident.
The preliminary investigation indicates the victim and suspect were involved in a verbal dispute when the suspect allegedly displayed a firearm. A physical altercation ensued over the firearm, during which a shot was fired. No property damage or injuries were reported as a result of the firearm discharge. A firearm was recovered on scene.
The victim and suspect were transported to an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries sustained during the physical altercation.
This remains an active criminal investigation and anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4180 or [email protected] or anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). For additional community resources and contact information, visit our website.
Earlier: Police have swarmed the Green Valley neighborhood after a report of at least one gunshot being fired.
The incident unfolded around 10:30 a.m. on the 2200 block of S. Kenmore Street.
Initial reports suggest that two men were fighting at a bus stop and at least one had a gun, which was fired. Both men have injuries but so far there’s no indication that anyone was shot.
After a brief search of the neighborhood, police now have two people detained, according to scanner traffic.
The same intersection of S. Kenmore Street and 22nd Street S. was the scene of shots exchanged between two vehicles in January. In October, a report of an armed man firing gunshots in the neighborhood led to a non-fatal shooting of the suspect by police.
UPDATE: The investigation into the incident is ongoing and has not revealed an ongoing threat to community safety. Expect continued police presence in the area. Additional information, once available, will be posted in our Newsroom: https://t.co/lW5Fb7TvN5
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) June 7, 2023
A report from Fairfax County’s top prosecutor recounts the eventful day this past October that led to a wild chase of an armed suspect.
The Oct. 6 incident started that morning when a driver made a U-turn in front of Arlington County police headquarters and brandished a gun at a sheriff’s deputy, later fleeing and striking a parked car.
It ended that evening with a car chase, gunshots being fired by the suspect along a residential Arlington street and along Route 50 in Fairfax County, and the suspect’s ultimate arrest after his gun reportedly jammed.
A detailed timeline of events was compiled by Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano, in a document released publicly late last week. The use-of-force review ultimately determined that a Fairfax officer who fired shots at the suspect acted properly.
Descano’s report is below.
REPORT ON OCTOBER 6, 2022, OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING
On October 6, 2022, Ofc. Chiz of the Fairfax County Police Department (“FCPD”) shot at Ricardo Singleton after a multi-hour series of events that began in Arlington, Virginia. At approximately 0845, Arlington County Sheriff’s Office (“ACSO”) Deputy Daley witnessed a Silver Honda Civic making an illegal u-turn on the pedestrian crosswalk outside of the Arlington Courthouse. The driver — later identified as Ricardo Singleton — waved at Deputy Daley to get his attention and then brandished a firearm with an extended magazine, pointing the firearm towards the ceiling of the vehicle. Both Deputy Daley and ACSO Deputy Zajkowski witnessed this brandishing. At the same time, a marked Arlington Police cruiser driven by Lt. Tabibi of the Arlington Police Department (“APD”) drove up behind Singleton’s vehicle and pressed his airhorn because Singleton’s vehicle was blocking traffic. Singleton rapidly drove away on Courthouse Road and then eastbound on 15th Street. Deputies Daley and Zajkowski entered a marked ACSO cruiser and followed Singleton’s vehicle. Singleton’s vehicle eventually pulled into the county owned parking garage and stopped next to the cruiser driven by Deputy Daley. Deputy Daley exited the cruiser, approached Singleton, and observed a firearm with an extended magazine on his lap. Deputy Daley drew his weapon and gave direct commands to Singleton to keep his hands raised. Singleton put the vehicle in drive and fled south on North Uhle Street. The Deputies pursued with lights and sirens activated, but they lost sight of the vehicle, which was driving at a high rate of speed, disregarding stop signs. APO received a report that Singleton struck another vehicle and continued to flee the scene.
An arrest has been made after a vehicle was damaged by gunfire along S. Four Mile Run Drive this past Thursday night.
Police say a 20-year-old Arlington man was arrested Friday night in the Aurora Highlands neighborhood. He’s now facing numerous charges in connection to the incident, which happened in the area of Barcroft Park and started as a dispute among four acquaintances, according to police.
Shots were fired at two people in the car as they drove off, but no one was wounded, said Arlington County police.
More, below, from a press release.
The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is announcing the arrest of a suspect following an investigation into shots fired in the Douglas Park neighborhood on April 13, 2023. Esnayder Perla Alvarenga, 20, of Arlington, VA has been charged with Attempted Malicious Wounding (x2), Malicious Shooting at a Vehicle, Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Reckless Handling of a Firearm, and Brandishing a Firearm. He is being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.
At approximately 11:26 p.m. on April 13, police were dispatched to the 4200 block of S. Four Mile Run Drive for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, it was determined the two victims and two suspects, who are acquaintances, were in a parking garage when they became involved in a verbal dispute. The dispute escalated, during which Suspect One brandished a firearm while Suspect Two physically assaulted one of the victims. The victims then entered their vehicle and, as they drove away, Suspect One allegedly discharged the firearm, striking the vehicle and causing property damage. No injuries were reported.
During the course of the investigation, officers identified Suspect One and obtained warrants for his arrest. He was taken into custody without incident on the evening of April 14 in the 2700 block of S. Fern Street. During a search incident to arrest, officers recovered a loaded firearm on the suspect.
The investigation into the identity of Suspect Two is ongoing. Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4180 or [email protected] or anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
(Updated at 12:45 p.m.) Arlington County police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire near Columbia Pike last night.
The incident happened around 11 p.m. Tuesday on the 1000 block of S. Wayne Street, near several high-rise apartment and condo buildings.
Initial reports suggest that multiple shots were fired, possibly in a parking garage, where arriving officers found a dissipating cloud of smoke. Callers also reported seeing several people running from the scene, according to scanner traffic.
John Antonelli, who lives in one of the residential towers nearby, described hearing “automatic weapons fire,” followed by someone driving away at a high rate of speed and, shortly thereafter, “a lot of cops” arriving on scene.
On Twitter, others also reported hearing between 8 and 11 shots fired in rapid succession, followed by a car speeding off.
There were no initial report of injuries.
The investigation was quickly moved to an encrypted police channel. An Arlington County Police Department spokeswoman did not immediately respond to an ARLnow inquiry sent last night, but provided the following from the department’s crime report early Wednesday afternoon.
SHOTS FIRED, 2023-03140266, 1000 block of S. Wayne Street. At approximately 10:58 p.m. on March 14, police were dispatched to the report of shots heard. Responding officers recovered evidence in the area of S. Courthouse Road at 12th Street S. confirming shots were fired. During the course of the investigation, officers established a perimeter, processed the scene and spoke with potential witnesses who reported observing several individuals flee the area on foot following the shots. No property damage or injuries were reported. There are no suspect descriptions. The investigation is ongoing.
This is just the latest gunfire incident in Arlington. On Jan. 29, two separate shots fired calls drew a police response to the Green Valley and Arlington Mill neighborhoods. On Jan. 30, gunfire between two vehicles speeding down Columbia Pike resulted in bullet holes in the front windows of Bob & Edith’s Diner, a block from last night’s incident. On Feb. 20, more shots were fired between two vehicles in the Virginia Square area.
(Updated on 3/1/23) Arlington County police investigated a gunshot fired in the Westover neighborhood Tuesday morning.
Initial reports suggest that a resident of a garden apartment building on the 5800 block of Washington Blvd heard a gunshot and then found a bullet in their residence.
Police are now on scene and trying to sort out what happened. Officers have recovered a gun, a police spokeswoman says.
“At approximately 11:02 a.m. police were dispatched to the 5800 block of Washington Boulevard for the report of a discharge of a firearm inside a residential building which caused property damage to a wall,” ACPD’s Ashley Savage tells ARLnow. “No injuries were reported. Responding officers located the subject and recovered the firearm. Police remain on scene investigating.”
Later, police said in a crime report that a 76-year-old resident is facing charges in connection to the gunfire.
RECKLESS HANDLING OF A FIREARM, 2023-02280101, 5800 block of Washington Boulevard. At approximately 11:02 a.m. on February 28, police were dispatched to the report of trouble unknown. Upon arrival, it was determined the suspect allegedly discharged a firearm in his residence, causing damage to the interior of his home and an adjacent unit. The suspect remained on scene and was taken into custody without incident. No injuries were reported and a firearm was recovered. [The suspect], 76, of Arlington, Va. was arrested and charged with Reckless Handling of a Firearm and Public Intoxication.
Arlington County police are investigating a shooting that happened around 8 p.m. in the Virginia Square neighborhood.
The incident happened around 8 p.m. along Washington Blvd at N. Nelson Street, near Quincy Park.
Initial reports suggest that two cars were driving down the street and at least three gunshots were fired from one vehicle at the other. Responding officers were unable to locate the suspects or any victims, according to scanner traffic.
Update at 2 p.m. — ACPD just released the following about the incident in the department’s daily crime report.
SHOTS FIRED, 2023-02210199, 1000 block of N. Quincy Street. At approximately 7:59 p.m. on February 21, police were dispatched to the report of shots heard. During the course of the investigation, it was determined the drivers of two vehicles became involved in a dispute, during which the male suspect exited his vehicle, brandished a firearm and discharged rounds, striking the victim’s vehicle. No injuries were reported. The suspect then fled the scene in a gray coupe vehicle. Responding officers canvassed the area yielding negative results.
(Updated at 1:40 p.m.) One person was seriously injured and Bob & Edith’s Diner was damaged after two incidents of gunfire in Arlington last night.
The first shooting happened in the Green Valley neighborhood, near the intersection of 22nd Street S. and S. Kenmore Street, shortly after 11 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing 5-6 gunshots in the area, exchanged between two vehicles, per scanner traffic.
Shortly thereafter, gunfire was reported along the 2300 block of Columbia Pike and apparent bullet holes were found in the windows of Bob & Edith’s Diner. No one at the diner was hurt, according to police.
Then, at 11:20 p.m., an officer reported to dispatch that a person who was shot had arrived at Virginia Hospital Center in a car with numerous bullet holes. The driver of the vehicle was detained for questioning, per scanner traffic.
Police said the gunshot victim was treated for “serious injuries.” The Fairfax County police helicopter was called in to help search for the suspects but nothing was found, according to Arlington County police.
In a press release issued later this morning, police said that the victim is in stable condition, confirmed that the two shootings are linked, and asked for tips.
The preliminary investigation indicates the victim was stopped at the traffic light at 22nd Street S. and S. Kenmore Street when the suspect discharged multiple rounds at the victim’s vehicle from a black sedan. Following the shooting, the victim drove away from the scene but the suspect followed and discharged additional rounds towards the victim’s vehicle at Columbia Pike and S. Wayne Street. The victim was then able to leave the scene and seek medical assistance at a hospital.
Responding officers processed both scenes, collected evidence, spoke with witnesses and conducted an aerial search with the assistance of a police helicopter. Residents are asked to review their home surveillance for any video that may assist the ongoing investigation. Additionally, anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4180 or [email protected]. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
This was not the week’s first outburst of gunfire. Shots were fired overnight Sunday into Monday in the Green Valley and Arlington Mills neighborhoods, but no injuries have been reported from those incidents.
There were at least three shootings in Green Valley last year:
- A man shot and seriously injured near the Lucky Seven Food Mart on July 6, 2022
- A man shot by police after he allegedly walked around the neighborhood firing gunshots at random on Oct. 14, 2022
- A man shot and seriously injured after an apparent dispute, resulting in the arrest of a 40-year-old Arlington resident, on Nov. 27, 2022
CONTINUED: ACPD is also investigating the report of shots fired in the 2300 block of Columbia Pike. No injuries have been reported. A police helicopter is assisting with an aerial search of the Green Valley & Columbia Pike incidents. Expect continued police presence in the areas.
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) January 31, 2023
update: The Fairfax County police helicopter is making a routine sweep of the area to search for anything additional. @HelicoptersofDC @ARLnowDOTcom https://t.co/DbDAl2upO5 pic.twitter.com/rqxPVqUHUq
— Alan Henney (@alanhenney) January 31, 2023
Video of @ArlingtonVaPD near Bob & Edith's on Columbia Pike at 11:15. Report of shots (some on Twitter say they heard it). Haven't learned what ACPD found. This occurred a few mins. after Green Valley shooting. @ARLnowDOTcom pic.twitter.com/jZeHC7IDok
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) January 31, 2023
Same. 4-6 ish shots and some huge tire squealing in the middle of it.
— Jess H (@mistwit33) January 31, 2023
Arlington County police are investigating two separate incidents of gunfire overnight.
The first happened in the Green Valley neighborhood, where shots were fired shortly after 10:30 p.m. and police found a possible blood trail, according to scanner traffic.
The second happened just before 2 a.m. in the Arlington Mill neighborhood. Two buildings were struck by bullets and a witness reported seeing three “heavily armed” men flee the scene.
In both incidents, a police helicopter was called in from a nearby law enforcement agency but was unable to locate the suspects.
More from today’s Arlington County Police Department crime report:
SHOTS FIRED, 2023-01290277, 2400 block of S. Lowell Street. At approximately 10:41 p.m. on January 29, police were on a separate call for service in the area when they heard possible shots fired. During the course of the investigation, officers recovered evidence confirming shots had been fired. A search of the area by officers and a police helicopter yielded negative results. No injuries or property damage have been reported at this time. Witnesses reported a dark-colored sedan leaving the area at a high rate of speed. There is no suspect(s) description. The investigation is ongoing.
SHOTS FIRED, 2023-01300020, 800 block of S. Harrison Street. At approximately 1:52 a.m. on January 30, police were dispatched to the report of shots heard. During the course of the investigation, officers recovered evidence confirming shots had been fired in the area and located property damage to two residences. A search of the area was conducted, with the assistance of a police helicopter, which yielded negative results. A witness reported seeing approximately three unknown male suspects flee the scene in a sedan. No injuries were reported. There is no suspect(s) description. The investigation is ongoing.
Also today, the Arlington County Fire Department announced that fire marshals have arrested a 33-year-old Arlington man, after a balcony fire at an apartment building along Arlington’s western end of Columbia Pike.
More from an ACFD press release:
At 6:57 a.m. on Jan. 27, the Arlington County Fire Department was dispatched to the 5500 block of Columbia Pike for a reported structure fire. Crews found a small fire on the balcony that was quickly extinguished. During the course of the investigation, the Fire Marshals recovered evidence indicating the fire had been intentionally set. The suspect, a resident of the building, was taken into custody at the scene without incident.
Hat tip to Alan Henney
