News of crime and punishment across Arlington this week.
TWO-VEHICLE CRASH CLAIMS LIFE IN EAST FALLS CHURCH:
** A 49-year-old Manassas man was killed as a result of a Nov. 3 vehicular crash in the East Falls Church area, Arlington police said.
At approximately 8:29 a.m., police were dispatched to the report of a two-vehicle crash with injuries at Washington Boulevard and North Sycamore Street. The preliminary investigation indicated that, as a result of the crash, the driver of a van was ejected from the vehicle and became partially trapped underneath.
Upon arrival, medics extricated the driver from under the vehicle and transported him to an area hospital in critical condition. He later succumbed to his injuries.
The four occupants of the other vehicle were transported to area hospitals with injuries described as non-life threatening.
The deceased was identified as Mauricio Campos Gomez, 49, of Manassas. The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.
MALICIOUS WOUNDING:
** On Oct. 31 at 2:27 a.m., two large groups became involved in a physical altercation inside a hotel at the 1200 block of North Courthouse Road, at which time a woman was stabbed and the fire alarm was pulled, resulting in an evacuation, police said.
Arriving officers located the victim in the parking lot and arranged for her transport to a local hospital. They also located a suspect armed with a knife, attempting to force entry into a hotel room, police said.
The suspect ignored an officer’s commands and a taser-like weapon was deployed on him, police said.
The suspect – 20-year-old Latrell Reed of the District of Columbia – was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon. Investigation continues and additional charges are possible, police said.
** On Nov. 1 at 3:37 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 4200 block of 31st Street South following a reported incident.
Upon arrival, officers made contact with a suspect and a woman. The woman stated that, earlier that morning, she and another man had met the suspect outside an establishment and were invited to his apartment for drinks. When the man and woman attempted to leave the suspect’s apartment, the suspect approached the man and allegedly began to strike him repeatedly, police said.
The suspect was able to remove himself and flee the apartment, the woman told police.
Approximately an hour later, police located the victim, who had sustained injuries that were described as serious but non-life-threatening. Officers then returned to the suspect’s residence and took the suspect – 33-year-old Travis Michel of Arlington – into custody. He was charged with malicious wounding and was held without bail.
ROBBERY:
** On Oct. 31 at 8:30 p.m., an individual was walking in the 800 block of South Carlin Springs Road when he was approached by two men, who each brandished a pocket knife and demanded money.
The victim told them he did not have any money, and the suspects fled.
The suspects are described as black males, approximately 5’6”.
** On Nov. 1 between midnight and 12:30 a.m., an individual was walking in the 5200 block of Columbia Pike when two men began following him and asking for money.
The victim walked away from the suspects and one attempted to strike him, stealing cash before fleeing the scene.
The suspects are described as a white male, 5’8”, with a thin build, and a black male, 5’5”, with an average build.
SHOTS FIRED:
** On Nov. 3 at 2:42 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Washington Boulevard at South Walter Reed Drive, where a resident reported that, about 20 minutes prior, he heard several gunshots and the sound of a vehicle fleeing the scene.
Officers canvassed the area and recovered evidence that shots had been fired, but found no injured parties or property damage.
WEAPONS VIOLATION:
** On Oct. 29 at 5 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of South Hayes Street for a report of a shoplifter in custody.
During the course of the police investigation, the suspect provided false information about his identity, police said, and during a search of his person, a taser-like device was recovered.
The suspect – 29-year-old Deangelo Hammond of the District of Columbia – was arrested and charged with petty larceny, identity theft and felon in possession of a stun gun. He was held on a secured bond.
PEEPING:
** On Nov. 3 at 4:24 p.m., residents of the 900 block of North Quintana Street observed a man exit his vehicle, approach the home and begin knocking on the door.
The suspect then walked around the perimeter of the residence, looking through windows, police said. A window in the rear of the residence later was found to be broken, police said.
The suspect is described as an Hispanic male, 30 to 40 years old, 5’6”, with a stocky build.
MISSILE INTO OCCUPIED DWELLING:
** Sometime between Nov. 2 at noon and Nov. 4 at noon, a bullet was shot into a vacant unit in a residential unit in the 100 block of South Courthouse Road. Damage was caused to a window and interior wall.
BURGLARY/UNLAWFUL ENTRY:
** On Oct. 29 at 10:26 p.m., a witness had observed an individual banging on the front door of a residence in the 1900 block of North Rhodes Street for an extended period of time, and alerted the resident, who was nearby.
The victim returned home to find that the suspect had forced entry inside, police said. The suspect fled after seeing the victim.
The suspect is described as a white male, 20 to 30 years old, 6’1”, with blond hair.
** On Nov. 1 at 11:15 p.m., an individual was inside his home in the 5500 block of 10th Street North when he heard a noise and then the sound of glass shattering.
The resident opened his front door and observed the exterior storm door was shattered. The victim also saw the suspect running from the scene, but was unable to provide any identifying information.
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY:
** On Nov. 4 between midnight and 7:15 a.m., the windows of approximately 10 vehicles were smashed and items taken and tampered with in the 1500 block of 28th Street South.
** On Nov. 6 at 12:06 p.m., police were dispatched to the 1900 block of Fort Myer Drive, where they located six broken window panes in a parking garage consistent with being shot at by a BB gun.
POLICE URGE PRECAUTIONS AFTER DRINK-SPIKING INCIDENTS:
** The Arlington County Police Department received six reports of possible “drink-spiking” during October, and is advising women at nightspots to take precautions against becoming a victim.
“In each case, the female victims reported experiencing loss of consciousness and memory loss after visiting various nightlife establishments in Clarendon and Crystal City on weekend evenings,” police said in a statement.
“These incidents remain active criminal investigations, and the preliminary investigations have not identified a link between the reported cases, police said.
Among the tips to help remain safe, police advised patrons to never leave drinks unattended, to not take drinks from strangers (unless served directly from the bar) and avoid sharing drinks with others.
“If you did not see your drink poured, do not drink it,” police said. “If you think your drink may be spiked or observe an individual spiking a drink, take action right away by calling 911.”
ENFORCEMENT EFFORT TARGETS MOTORISTS, PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLISTS IN NOVEMBER:
** The Arlington County Police Department is participating Nov. 5-30 in the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ “Street Smart” education and enforcement campaign.
The initiative aims to identify and change unsafe behavior patterns among motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists, with the goal of reducing the number of traffic-related collisions and injuries on roadways, Arlington officials said.
“The arrival of fall brings cooler temperatures and less daylight during commuting hours,” police officials said. “Everyone wants you to arrive at your destination safely.”