An 18-year-old Arlington woman is facing a litany of charges after an reported bike theft led to violence.
The incident happened Sunday evening near the intersection of S. Walter Reed Drive and S. Glebe Road.
Police say they were called after a woman entered a home and stole a bike. Confronted by a victim a couple of blocks away, the woman allegedly “assaulted him, attempted to steal his jewelry, damaged a watch and struck him with a bottle.”
The suspect is also accused of kicking two of the police officers who subsequently took her into custody.
More, below, from the latest Arlington County Police Department crime report.
ASSAULT ON POLICE, 2024-03170214, 1700 block of S. Walter Reed Drive. At approximately 7:15 p.m. on March 17, police were dispatched to the report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, it was determined the female suspect allegedly entered the victims’ home and was verbally confronted by Victim One. The suspect then stole a bicycle, exited the home and fled the scene. Victim Two located the suspect with the stolen bicycle at 18th Street S. and S. Monroe Street and approached her. The suspect subsequently assaulted him, attempted to steal his jewelry, damaged a watch and struck him with a bottle. The suspect then assaulted a witness who attempted to intervene. As responding officers were detaining the suspect, she kicked two of the officers. Victim Two reported minor injuries and did not require medical treatment. [The suspect], 18, of Arlington, Va. was arrested and charged with Assault on Police (x2), Assault and Battery (x2), Malicious Wounding, Burglary, Destruction of Property and Attempted Robbery. She was held without bond.
Another notable burglary incident happened early Sunday morning in the Cherrydale area. A man tried to force entry into four homes before police were called and a 38-year-old suspect was taken into custody, according to ACPD.
ATTEMPTED BURGLARY (Series) , 2024-03170063/2024-03170064/2024-03170087, 4000 block of Vacation Lane/3900 block of Lorcom Lane/3700 block of Lorcom Lane. At approximately 3:20 a.m. on March 17, police were dispatched to the report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, it was determined the female victim was inside her residence when she heard loud banging and observed the male suspect allegedly attempting to force entry into her home by kicking a door. The suspect then left the scene and a short time later, three additional victims in the area reported an individual matching the description of the suspect attempt to force entry into their homes before fleeing the scene. A lookout was broadcast and responding officers canvassed the area and located the suspect. The suspect ran from officers and was subsequently located in the 2400 block of N. Lincoln Street and taken into custody. [The suspect], 38, of Arlington, Va. was arrested and charged with Attempted Burglary (x4).
A 42-year-old Arlington woman is in jail after police say she robbed a bank in Clarendon yesterday morning.
The robbery happened around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the TD Bank at 3028 Wilson Blvd, across from the Clarendon Metro station.
Police were first dispatched to the area for a report of a woman harassing customers at the nearby District Dogs location. Then, officers were told that a woman matching the same description had robbed the bank, fled with cash and boarded an ART bus, according to scanner traffic.
The bus was stopped on Columbia Pike and a suspect was taken into custody. Court records show the suspect was charged last year in Arlington with public intoxication and three separate incidents of alleged fare evasion.
More, below, from today’s Arlington County Police Department crime report.
BANK ROBBERY, 2024-03130067, 3000 block of Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 8:28 a.m. on March 13, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery by force. Upon arrival, it was determined the female suspect entered the bank, approached a teller and demanded money. The suspect then fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash and boarded a bus. No weapon was implied or displayed and no injuries were reported. A lookout was broadcast and responding officers canvassed the area for the suspect. Officers in the area of Columbia Pike and S. Courthouse Road observed an individual matching the suspect’s description exiting a bus and took her into custody. During the course of the investigation, the stolen cash was recovered. [The suspect], 42, of Arlington, Va. was arrested and charged with Robbery. She was held without bond.
(Updated at 5:30 p.m.) All lanes of southbound I-395 were blocked near Shirlington Circle this evening due to a serious crash.
Initial reports suggest that a motorcyclist crashed and remained down in the middle lane of the highway. The person’s injuries were reported to be potentially life threatening or life altering.
The I-395 express lanes remained open, but evening rush hour traffic in the main lanes of the highway was backed up to the 14th Street Bridge as of 5:20 p.m.
As of 5:30 p.m. all lanes were back open, though Virginia State Police remained on scene, on the right shoulder.
LOCATION: SB I-395/Exit 7 (Glebe Rd.)
INCIDENT: Traffic Collision
IMPACT: All lanes of SB I-395 are blocked near Exit 7 (Glebe Rd.). Seek alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/l2gwN5loPl— Arlington Alert (@ArlingtonAlert) March 13, 2024
(Updated at 1:40 p.m.) An Arlington school went into lockdown Wednesday after a student reportedly brought a gun to school.
All students at the Langston High School Continuation Program and New Directions secondary program are safe and the lockdown lasted about 30 minutes, Principal Kim Jackson-Davis said in an email to families Wednesday afternoon.
“The student responsible for bringing the gun to school has received consequences in accordance with the Arlington Public Schools Student Code of Conduct,” she wrote. “This matter has also been referred to law enforcement for further investigation.”
Police were dispatched to the school around 2:30 p.m., after the gun was confiscated, according to scanner traffic.
The email from Jackson-Davis, below, thanked “the student who brought this to our attention.”
Dear Langston/New Directions Families,
This is to inform you that our administrative team confiscated a gun from a student during school today. Information and support from our school community enabled us to quickly investigate and take immediate action. As soon as administrators found the weapon, they called 911 and placed the school in lockdown out of an abundance of caution. The lockdown lasted for about 30 minutes and dismissal occurred on time. All students and staff are safe.
The student responsible for bringing the gun to school has received consequences in accordance with the Arlington Public Schools Student Code of Conduct. This matter has also been referred to law enforcement for further investigation.
We appreciate the student who brought this to our attention and ask all members of our community to report any threats they may see or hear, whether they believe they are credible or not. We continue to inform students about the importance of reporting incidents that are wrong or potentially dangerous. Please also help us spread the word to our kids that it is against the law to bring weapons of any type to school. Weapons can result in serious injury.
Together, we can do our part to keep our school and each other safe.
Sincerely,
Kim Jackson-Davis
Principal
On Thursday, the Arlington County police crime report said the 18-year-old student is facing a pair of weapons charges.
2100 block of N. Culpepper Street. At approximately 2:35 p.m. on March 13, police were dispatched to Langston High School Continuation Program for the report of an alarm. Upon arrival, it was determined school administration located a firearm in a student’s possession on school property and subsequently placed the school on lockdown. Responding officers took possession of the firearm and took the suspect into custody. Tashawn Carter, 18, of Arlington, Va. was arrested and charged with Possession of a Weapon on School Property and Carrying a Concealed Weapon. He was held without bond.
Photo via Google Maps
An East Falls Church woman was killed by her husband in December in a murder-suicide, Arlington County police announced today.
Maria T. MacKnight worked as an acupuncturist, according to her website. Police say she and her husband, Gregory Cunningham, both died of “intentional carbon monoxide poisoning” in early December, at their house on N. Powhatan Street.
Today, ACPD said the deaths were determined by the medical examiner to be the result of a murder-suicide.
Cunningham and MacKnight were both 72.
Today’s announcement follows a murder-suicide in Pentagon City on March 5, in which a man killed a woman with whom he was in a relationship.
More on the December incident, below, from a press release.
A death investigation in the East Falls Church neighborhood has been ruled a homicide-suicide following a determination of cause and manner of death by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
At approximately 5:18 p.m. on December 7, 2023, police were dispatched to the 2400 block of N. Powhatan Street for the report of a check on the welfare. Upon arrival, officers made entry into the residence and located an adult male and female deceased inside with signs of intentional carbon monoxide [poisoning].
The deceased were identified as Maria Theista Macknight, 72, and Gregory Cunningham, 72, of Arlington, VA. They were married.
Following the discovery of the deceased, the Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit immediately initiated a death investigation. In March 2024, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the manner of Ms. Theista Macknight’s death a homicide with cause being carbon monoxide poisoning. Mr. Cunningham’s death was ruled a suicide with cause being carbon monoxide poisoning.
This remains an active 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]. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
This weekend the Arlington County Police Department is reminding motorists of the dangers of drunk driving.
The police department will host “Don’t Press Your Luck,” an anti-drunk-driving event that will highlight the impacts of alcohol when behind the wheel, this Saturday from 8-10 p.m. at the intersection of N. Irving Street at Wilson Blvd.
The free event, on St. Patrick’s Day weekend, aims to ensure that anyone celebrating the holiday does so safely.
“Impaired driving is 100% preventable and why the Arlington County Police Department is working with NHTSA to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal, it is a matter of life and death,” per the press release.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Safety Administration, or NHTSA, reported 272 drunk-driving-related deaths during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period between 2017 and 2021, the release said.
Meanwhile, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) and Lyft will offer free rides home from St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on Sunday, March 17 from 12 p.m. to midnight as part of its SoberRide program. WRAP notes in a new report that the number of alcohol and drug-related traffic fatalities increased nearly 13% in the D.C. area between 2021 and 2022, per the most recent NHTSA data available.
ACPD has hosted anti-drunk driving events for other holidays, including Halloween and Christmas last year. A similar event for St. Patrick’s Day was cancelled last year due to inclement weather.
Photo via NHTSA
A wild incident involving a theft suspect in Pentagon City over the weekend was caught on camera.
It happened around 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, a block away from the Pentagon Centre shopping center. Police say a 31-year-old man stole items from a nearby store and then tried to fight an officer who tried to take him into custody.
An off-duty officer driving by saw the struggle and stopped to help.
More, beloe, from today’s Arlington County Police Department crime report.
ASSAULT ON POLICE, 2024-03090121, 1200 block of S. Hayes Street. At approximately 1:41 p.m. on March 9, police were dispatched to the report of a larceny just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect entered the business and allegedly concealed merchandise before exiting the store without payment. A responding officer located the suspect in the area of 15th Street S. and S. Fern Street and attempted to detain him. The suspect resisted arrest, pushed the officer away and attempted to strike them during which an off-duty officer who was driving in the area observed the struggle and exited their vehicle to assist in taking the suspect into custody. The suspect sustained minor injuries and refused medical attention. [The suspect], 31, of No Fixed Address, was arrested and charged with Assault on Police, Petit Larceny and Obstruction of Justice.
The scene was caught on camera and posted to social media by local public safety watcher Dave Statter.
Watch this: A little street drama around 2pm on S. 15th between Elm and Fern in Pentagon City. A struggle occurred between an @ArlingtonVaPD officer and a person they were trying to detain. Someone jumped out of their car to help the officer before backup arrived. Officers were… pic.twitter.com/l86OExmLlV
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) March 9, 2024
Today’s crime report also details a trio of robberies, in the Pentagon City, Rosslyn, and Courthouse areas.
The first, Saturday night, involved a knife-wielding man stealing money from a tip jar. The second, Sunday morning, involved a man who drove by a woman in a parking lot and stole her phone out of her hand. The third, Sunday night, involved a theft of cigarettes from a store by a pair of robbers, one of whom reportedly had a gun.
More from ACPD:
ROBBERY, 2024-03090186, 1000 block of S. Hayes Street. At approximately 7:02 p.m. on March 9, police were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect entered the business, approached an employee at the counter and demanded cash. When the employee refused, the suspect brandished a knife and stole money from a tip jar before leaving the scene on foot. No injuries were reported. A lookout was broadcast and responding officers canvassed the area for the suspect yielding negative results. The suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 40-50 years old, 5’10”-6’0” wearing all dark clothing. The investigation is ongoing.
ROBBERY, 2024-03100095, 1100 block of Arlington Boulevard. At approximately 11:03 a.m. on March 10, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery by force. Upon arrival, it was determined a dispute ensued after the male suspect, who was driving in a parking lot, honked at the female victim, who was walking. The suspect then drove next to the victim with his window down and stole her cellphone from her hand before fleeing the scene in his vehicle. No injuries were reported. During the course of the investigation, the cellphone was recovered in the area. The suspect is described as an older white male driving a blue sedan. The investigation is ongoing.
ROBBERY, 2024-03110001, 1800 block of Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 11:56 p.m. on March 10, police were dispatched to the report of a brandishing. Upon arrival, it was determined the two male suspects entered the business, selected merchandise, approached the counter and asked for cigarettes to be added to the transaction. A verbal dispute between the employee and suspects ensued during which the suspects attempted to steal the cigarettes before exiting the store. The employee confronted the suspects outside the business during which one suspect brandished a firearm before both suspects entered a silver sedan and fled the scene. No injuries were reported. The suspects are described as white males, approximately 5’6”-5’7”, 130-180 pounds with black or brown hair. The investigation is ongoing.
A 21-year-old Reston man is facing serious charges after a high-speed chase that ended in Arlington last night.
The chase started around 10:45 p.m. on the Beltway in Fairfax County, after Virginia State Police were alerted to a stolen vehicle entering the Commonwealth from Maryland.
The chase continued north on I-395 until state police used a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver near the N. Glebe Road off-ramp, causing the fleeing driver to crash into a ditch.
The suspect was arrested after being found hiding in the trunk of the car, according to Virginia State Police. He has now been charged with attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer, among other felonies.
The crash and aftermath was recorded from a traffic camera by local public safety watcher Dave Statter.
Watch: @VSPPIO forced a vehicle they were chasing to crash on I-395N at S. Glebe Rd. The not-so-clear traffic camera video shows the vehicle heading down the hillside toward Glebe. It took a few minutes to get whoever was inside to surrender. At least one trooper was injured… pic.twitter.com/hK3svzts01
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) March 8, 2024
More, below, from a VSP press release.
At approximately 10:45 p.m. on March 7, 2023, Virginia State Police was notified by a Maryland law enforcement agency of a stolen 2015 Chevrolet traveling across the American Legion Bridge into Virginia. A Virginia trooper located the vehicle traveling on I-495 near Braddock Rd. and activated his emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop. The Chevrolet refused to stop, sped away at a high rate of speed, and initiated a pursuit. As the stolen vehicle continued north on I-395, state police administered a pursuit intervention technique and brought the suspect vehicle to a stop near the Glebe Rd. exit.
The driver of the Chevrolet, Abiselome Belachew, 21, of Reston, Va., then crawled into the trunk of the vehicle to try and hide from the troopers. Belachew was taken into custody without further incident.
During the course of the pursuit, the Chevrolet rammed one of the trooper’s vehicles into the Jersey wall. The trooper suffered minor injuries.
State police charged Belachew with attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer, one felony count of hit-and-run (of the trooper’s vehicle), one felony count of eluding police, auto theft and driving on a suspended license.
The same suspect was previously charged with armed robbery in Montgomery County in 2019.
Four masked men allegedly broke into an Arlington apartment building early Tuesday morning and stole mail from the mailroom.
The theft happened at the Camden Potomac Yard apartments, on the 3500 block of S. Ball Street, near the Alexandria border.
“At approximately 2:07 a.m. on March 5, police were dispatched to the report of a suspicious person,” Arlington County police spokeswoman Ashley Savage tells ARLnow. “The preliminary investigation indicates four male suspects entered the residential building and stole mail and packages.”
“An employee observed the suspects and called police. The suspects then fled the scene in a white SUV prior to police arrival,” Savage continued. “The suspects are described as Black males with slender builds, approximately 5’10”, wearing ski masks and all black clothing. The investigation is ongoing.”
Savage said police are investigating whether the suspects might be responsible for other mail thefts.
“Mail addressed to other locations were recovered during the course of the investigation into the larceny,” she said, in response to an ARLnow inquiry about other mail thefts in the county. “As part of the ongoing investigation, detectives are working to determine if other similar incidents occurred at additional residential buildings.”
Arlington residents whose mail or packages are stolen should file an online police report, Savage said.
Local public safety watcher Alan Henney posted on social media the following memo to residents, from building management, about the mail theft.
Last night at approximately 2:07 AM 4 masked individuals entered the north mail room and broke into several mailboxes. Our on-duty concierge immediately contacted Arlington County Police who arrived at 2:18 AM after the individuals fled minutes before. A police report has been filed and Officer Laprise and Costello-Mays have requested that any residents with missing mail to contact them directly to make a report. The officers that responded also informed us that this was not an isolated incident, but this occurred at multiple properties in the local area.
Although our building does have cameras and controlled access, crime can still occur. Please be mindful of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity to Arlington County Police at 911 or non-emergency at 703-558-2222.
Henney had previously posted about a vehicle theft from the building’s parking garage, which happened over the weekend.
ACPD confirmed the incident to ARLnow, sharing the following crime report item.
STOLEN VEHICLE, 2024-03020072, 3500 block of S. Ball Street. At approximately 10:23 a.m. on March 2, police were dispatched to the report of a stolen vehicle. The preliminary report indicates that at approximately 7:18 a.m., the suspect entered the residential garage and stole the victim’s vehicle, a gray 2013 Honda CRV with Virginia license plate TUA9377. The suspect is described as a Black male wearing a beanie, dark colored coat, sweatpants and black shoes. The investigation is ongoing.
Same building as the car break-in on Sunday. This message is from today. @ARLnowDOTcom #DMVCrime https://t.co/ieTL2vaVPr pic.twitter.com/8ELwL110H1
— Alan Henney (@alanhenney) March 5, 2024
A boy attacked another boy at Yorktown High School last week, seriously injuring him, according to police.
The alleged incident happened last Wednesday morning, though it was not reported to police until Monday afternoon. It’s unclear whether it took place inside or outside the school.
“At approximately 4:16 p.m. on March 4, police were dispatched to the late report of an assault,” said the latest Arlington County Police Department crime report. “The preliminary investigation indicates that between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on February 28, the juvenile male suspect approached the juvenile male victim from behind, picked him up and hit his head against a bench.”
“The victim sought medical treatment for injuries considered serious but non-life threatening,” the crime report continues. “The investigation is ongoing.”
A police spokeswoman declined comment on where the incident — which only lists a location of “5200 block of Yorktown Boulevard” — happened in relation to the high school. The motive for the attack is also unclear.
“The preliminary investigation did not indicate a dispute proceeded the assault, however, the circumstances of the incident remain under investigation,” said ACPD’s Ashley Savage.
The school system also declined to provide additional details, citing student privacy concerns.
Arlington Public Schools spokesman Frank Bellavia did note, however, that “after the school was notified of the incident, the appropriate disciplinary actions were taken per APS policy.”
(Updated on 3/7/24) Arlington police are investigating what might be the county’s first homicide of 2024.
Police were dispatched to the apartment building above the Whole Foods store on the 500 block of 12th Street S. in Pentagon City around 4:15 p.m. for a report of gunshots fired in a 15th floor apartment.
Officers found two people dead inside the unit.
“Upon arrival, officers located an adult male and adult female deceased inside a residence,” ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage tells ARLnow. “Based on the preliminary investigation, the incident is being investigated as an apparent homicide-suicide.”
“Final determination of cause and manner of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner,” Savage continued. “This appears to be an isolated incident and there is no indication of a larger threat to the community.”
ACPD issued a press release about the case Wednesday afternoon, referring to the deceased as a couple. So far, police are not identifying either party.
The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is investigating an apparent domestic homicide-suicide in the Pentagon City neighborhood after a couple was found deceased inside their home.
At approximately 4:15 p.m. on March 5, police were dispatched to the 500 block of 12th Street S. for the report of a possible death. Initial information indicated building maintenance entered the residence to conduct a check on the welfare on behalf of a concerned family member. Inside the bedroom, responding officers located an adult male and adult female deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. Based on the preliminary investigation, the incident is being investigated as an apparent homicide-suicide. Final determination of cause and manner of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The names of the deceased are being withheld pending proper identification and notification of next of kin.
This appears to be an isolated incident and there is no indication of a larger threat to the community. This remains an active 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]. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
On Thursday, ACPD revealed the names of the victim and suspect.
“The deceased have been identified as Nadejda Mossor, 22, and Jason Han, 37, of Arlington, VA,” police said. “They were in a relationship.”
A portion of 12th Street S. was closed as a result of the emergency response.
LOCATION: EB 12th St. S / S Eads St.
INCIDENT: Police Department Activity
IMPACT: The EB lanes of 12th St. S are closed between S Fern St. and S Eads St. Due to Police and Fire Department activity. Seek alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/hxLHE6LMwj— Arlington Alert (@ArlingtonAlert) March 5, 2024