police | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published October 8, 2021 at 7:30AM | Updated October 8, 2021 at 10:21AM

A military helicopter flies over The Lot in Clarendon (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

County Removing Illegal Campaign Signs — “Rules for placing campaign signage on the medians of roads owned by the Arlington County government are pretty straightforward – there is a limit of two signs per median strip per candidate (or party ticket). Anything more than that is a violation. This campaign season, it appears the campaigns of gubernatorial candidates Terry McAuliffe and Glenn Youngkin either don’t know the rules, or are disregarding them.” [Sun Gazette]

New Restaurants Open at DCA — From Reagan National Airport: “Big news! Mezeh and Wolfgang Bar + Bites are now open in the new concourse!” [Twitter]

News

One Arrested After Robberies in Clarendon and Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

Published October 7, 2021 at 2:00PM

Arlington County Police cars (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington police responded to a pair of robberies in two of the county’s busiest neighborhoods Wednesday afternoon and evening.

The first happened in Clarendon around 4 p.m. Initial reports suggested two people were assaulted and robbed outside the Sweetgreen along Clarendon Blvd. The suspect was spotted and arrested nearby, shortly after officers arrived on scene.

Schools

APS Warns Parents About New ‘Devious’ TikTok Challenges

By ARLnow.com

Published October 7, 2021 at 10:45AM

You’ve probably seen the headlines about a youth trend called “Devious Licks” that challenged students to steal or damage items at school and post video of the act on TikTok.

Now Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán is warning parents about additional challenges that encourage behavior that could result in the school system seeking police intervention.

News

BREAKING: County Jail Inmate Dies After Being Taken to Hospital

By ARLnow.com

Published October 6, 2021 at 3:40PM | Updated October 6, 2021 at 5:21PM

Jail entrance at the Arlington County Detention Facility

(Update at 5:20 p.m.) A man being held at the Arlington County jail has died after being found unconscious yesterday morning.

Clyde Spencer, 58, was in the jail’s medical unit when he was found unresponsive around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to a police department press release. He was rushed to Virginia Hospital Center following resuscitation efforts, but died last night. An exact cause of death was not given.

News

Man Arrested After Rifle Found in Stolen Car Near School

By ARLnow.com

Published October 6, 2021 at 2:00PM

File photo

A D.C. man was arrested Monday after police say he was found in possession of a stolen car, a rifle and ammunition near Gunston Middle School.

The arrest was made Monday afternoon along 28th Road S., next to Gunston Park and within the school zone, but not on the actual school grounds.

News

Commonwealth’s Attorney Seeks Full-Time Hire for Conviction Review Unit

By Jo DeVoe

Published October 5, 2021 at 10:00AM

Commonwealth's Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti at Arlington Democrats election watch party in November 2019, when she was elected to office (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington’s top prosecutor is seeking an attorney to lead a new unit that reviews potentially wrongful convictions.

The unit — the first unit of its kind in Northern Virginia, according to Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti — launched a little more than seven months ago.

Events

County Responds to Rise in Drug Overdoses with Drug-Take Back Event

By Dana Munro

Published October 1, 2021 at 1:00PM

The county will be offering safe disposal of unused prescription drugs later this month as opioid overdoses rise in Arlington.

On Saturday, Oct. 23, the Arlington County Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will offer contactless, drive-thru drug disposal from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at police department headquarters (1425 N. Courthouse Road) and Fire Station No. 5 (1750 S. Hayes Street). It’s part of a nationwide effort by the DEA.

Around Town

Burkman, Wohl Are Behind ‘Predator’ Flyers Posted Along Wilson Blvd

By ARLnow.com

Published October 1, 2021 at 9:00AM | Updated October 1, 2021 at 9:40AM

Flyer posted in Courthouse advertising a YouTube video series (photo courtesy Chaz Papa)

A pair of political hucksters is behind flyers posted along the Wilson Blvd corridor promoting a To Catch a Predator-like YouTube video series.

The series was announced last month by Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl, known for telling wild tales that later turn out to be false, often holding press conferences outside Burkman’s Rosslyn townhouse as part of their publicity campaigns.

News

Man Arrested for Arlington Robbery Released On Bond The Day Before

By Jo DeVoe

Published September 30, 2021 at 3:55PM

File photo

A man who was arrested for attempting to rob a store in Arlington two days ago had just posted bond for another arrest in Fairfax County on Monday.

Karim Clayton, a 44-year-old D.C. resident, attempted to steal electronics from a pharmacy in the Buckingham neighborhood on Tuesday, according to Arlington County police. On Sunday, a Fairfax County Police Department official said he was arrested for assault and battery and held on a $2,000 secure bond.

News

More Gunfire Reported Near Drew Elementary

By ARLnow.com

Published September 30, 2021 at 1:20PM

Police car at night (file photo courtesy Kevin Wolf)

Arlington police are investigating more gunfire on the same block near Drew Elementary as another shots fired incident this past weekend.

The shots were fired around 12:30 a.m. this morning, on the 3200 block of 24th Street S., police say. Officers responded to the area and found evidence of gunfire but no one who was shot.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 30, 2021 at 7:30AM

APS Staff Vax Update — “Overall, 67 percent of all staff and 91 percent of instructional staff are fully vaccinated, and we are following up with all those who have not responded to the survey. This data will be compiled and finalized in early October. Regular testing is required for staff who are unvaccinated or did not respond to the survey.” [Arlington Public Schools]

Dog Reunited With Rescuers — “Arlington County firefighters were reunited with a dog they rescued from under a vehicle in August, according to a post on the fire department’s official Twitter account. Fire units responded on the evening of Aug. 9 for the report of a crash with injuries. Arriving on the scene, fire personnel determined that a dog named Sonny was trapped under a vehicle.” [Patch]

News

BREAKING: Elementary School Assistant Charged With Sex Offenses

By ARLnow.com

Published September 29, 2021 at 4:35PM

Arlington police car (file photo)

A man who worked as an assistant at Carlin Springs Elementary School is facing sex assault charges.

Police say Jonathan Zapata, a 30-year-old Arlington resident, sexually assaulted a female family member under the age of 18 over the course of two years from 2016-2018. He was arrested this morning in the Buckingham neighborhood and is facing two felony sex offense charges.