A woman reported a man masturbating in public by Wildwood Park to the Vienna Police Department.
The incident took place shortly after 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, by Alma Street SE and Delano Drive SE.
From from the Vienna Police Department:
A resident reported that she observed a suspicious man on the bike path. The resident decided to follow
the man and saw him near a metal bridge. The subject had his pants to his ankles and was masturbating in public. The resident quickly left the area and called the police.
Police said that they searched the surrounding areas but couldn’t find the man.
In a separate incident, an employee reported that another employee embezzled money in the last few months from Patron Insurance Services (301 W. Maple Avenue), police said. The case is being investigated.
Photo via Facebook
Fairfax County police are investigating a robbery at the T-Mobile store in downtown McLean.
The incident took place around 7:30 p.m. last night (Wednesday) at 1400 Chain Bridge Road, according to a police report.
Police said that five people stole merchandise and assaulted an employee in the store.
“The suspects are described as black, in their teens,” police said.
In a separate incident last night, police said that someone was assaulted in the 7900 block of Tysons One Place right by Tysons Corner Center shortly before 7 p.m.
More from FCPD:
While taking trash to the compactor area of a building, the victim found a man already in the room. Without warning the man began to cut the victims arm with a knife. The victim did not require medical treatment and the injuries were described as superficial.
Police are still looking for the man, who police described as “a black man with dreadlocks, in his 20s, 5’8″ and very skinny. He was last seen wearing all black clothing with holes in his jeans.”
Updated at 1:35 p.m. 8/9/19 — Police said that after a thorough investigation, “our detectives have concluded no criminal activity occurred.”
More from FCPD:
An ex-employee of a business within the building sent a suspicious group text message to some of his formercolleagues but there were no direct threats made. The following day, an employee in the building overheard two co-workers discussing the text message and asked another employee for additional information.
There was a language barrier and through the use of a cell phone translator program, the message was interpreted as a present threat of a man in the building with a gun. Building security relayed the information they received to our dispatch center, prompting the emergency response.
Our investigation determined that no one was actually seen with a gun and we do not have any evidence that the subject who sent the text message was at the building on Wednesday.
Earlier: Fairfax County police responded en masse to reports of a man with a weapon at Gannett headquarters in Tysons shortly after noon on Wednesday.
The police department tweeted about the incident at 7950 Jones Branch Drive, in the Valo Park office complex, at 12:25 p.m. today (Wednesday). Police vehicles swarmed the area as the building was evacuated.
Gannett, which publishes USA Today and hundreds of local newspapers across the country, this week announced a merger with fellow newspaper chain GateHouse.
USA Today reported around 1:15 p.m. that the incident resulted from “a mistaken report of a person with a weapon.” Fairfax County Police said that they “have found no evidence of any acts of violence or injuries.”
Police Chief Edwin Roessler Jr. said police received a 911 call around noon that said a former employee was spotted inside the building with a gun. Roessler said there is a person of interest being sought, but that there are no gunshots reported in the building. As of 2 p.m., Roessler said police were still searching the building floor by floor.
“Right now, we do not have any reports of gunshots being fired,” Roessler said. “This is a very large office complex, going to take several more hours to clear the building and make the determination that it’s all clear.”
A reunification center was established at the McLean Hilton (7920 Jones Branch Drive) for evacuated employees.
At a later press conference, Roessler said that police were talking to the person of interest, who was said to be a former employee of a company at the Valo Park complex. The person was located in a different part of Fairfax County and there is no evidence of a crime, Roessler said, adding that officers had “cleared every single inch of that building, from the basement to the roof to the parking garages.”
Police are still reviewing surveillance video to determine if the person of interest was actually in the building, as reported by the 911 caller.
Roessler said the large police response — which included heavily-armed SWAT officers and the Fairfax County Police helicopter overhead — was consistent with how the department would respond to an active shooter situation. The response was necessary, he said, given the initial report of an armed ex-employee.
In a press release this evening, police said that the person of interest “was identified in an unrelated area of the county and officers spoke with him, however, criminal charges are not expected.”
“The investigation is ongoing but we don’t have any evidence that a crime occurred – we’re thankful that this was a non-event,” Roessler said in the press release.
“The right decision was made today, even though it disrupted businesses,” he said. “Our prayers have been answered, everyone is safe.”
TYSONS EVACUATION SCENE @WUSA9 #breaking pic.twitter.com/qW7skv2xyj
— Mike Valerio (@ValerioCNN) August 7, 2019
Meanwhile, a scene from inside one of the stairwells at the @usatoday headquarters. (From @NewsCannon.) pic.twitter.com/4MkhttEqjv
— Brad Heath (@bradheath) August 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/trevorkchan/status/1159141416414654464?s=12
We are responding to reports of a man with weapon at the Gannett Building located at 7950 Jones Branch Drive in McLean. Please avoid the area, updates to follow #FCPD pic.twitter.com/cwz3c9wdUx
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) August 7, 2019
Fairfax County police are investigating a robbery at a 7-Eleven near Tysons Corner Center.
“A man walked behind the counter [and started] taking money and merchandise,” according to a police report.
The incident took place on Friday, Aug. 2, shortly before 9 p.m. at 1931 Old Gallows Road.
“The suspect is described as a black man wearing all black clothing,” police said.
Police said that no one was injured.
Image via Google Maps
Fairfax County police arrested a McLean summer camp employee for allegedly sexually abusing a child last week.
Police said Cesar Laragaibort worked as a counselor and bus driver at Camp Greenway, a co-ed, summer day camp for kids operated by the Madeira School (8328 Georgetown Pike).
“Detectives were contacted Thursday, Aug. 1, after a child, who is not affiliated with the camp, disclosed being inappropriately touched by Laragaibort,” police said. “Detectives acted swiftly to corroborate the allegation and developed sufficient evidence to make an arrest [Friday.]”
Police said that “initial evidence does not indicate the alleged offense occurred at Camp Greenway or on any school buses but detectives would like to hear from anyone who is concerned their child may have had inappropriate contact with Laragaibort.”
Karen Joostema, the spokesperson for Camp Greenway, told Tysons Reporter that “the police have informed us the incident they are investigating does not involve any camper or the camp in any way.”
Joostema shared the following note, which she said was sent to Camp Greenway families on Saturday (Aug. 3):
Dear Camp Greenway Parents,
We wanted to inform you of some news we learned last evening and today. Police took Mr. Cesar Laragaibort, who was a sports and games specialist and bus driver at Camp Greenway, into custody last evening on aggravated sexual battery charges. The police have informed us that the reason has nothing to do with any Madeira camp, camper, student, school, or bus.
As part of Madeira’s standard hiring procedures and commitment to child safety, we perform background checks on every employee. Law enforcement confirmed this recent incident would not have come up on a background check.
In addition, we want to share that our camp policies and procedures are such that no counselor is alone with an individual camper. As a sports and games specialist, Mr. Laragaibort was in public view, mainly outdoors, with campers and other adults. Safety is a paramount consideration at our camp.
The matter is in the hands of law enforcement and we are fully cooperating with them. If we become aware of any additional relevant information, we will certainly share that with you. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Sarah Merianos
Director of Summer Programs
Police charged 37-year-old Fairfax resident Laragaibort with one count of aggravated sexual battery. Laragaibort is being held without bond at the Adult Detention Center.
Police are asking that anyone with information call the Major Crimes Bureau detectives at 703-246-7800 or submit an anonymous tip by calling 866-411-8477.
Photo via FCPD
(Updated at 4 p.m. 8/6/19) A driver has been arrested after police say he struck and killed a woman who was walking with a child in the West Falls Church area Saturday afternoon.
The victim was identified by police Sunday (Aug. 4) as 60-year-old Betty Ana Bernstein-Zabza of Falls Church. Police said Bernstein-Zabza died as a result of injuries from the crash, which happened shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Shreve Road and Hickory Street.
“Detectives from our Crash Reconstruction Unit have preliminarily determined that [Bernstein-Zabza] was walking with a juvenile northbound on a pedestrian pathway adjacent to Shreve Road,” police said. “They entered a crosswalk that connected the pathway to a sidewalk when they were hit by a stolen 2013 Nissan Titan pickup truck.”
While police said that couldn’t unable to provide any information about the identity of the child, WUSA9 reported that the child was Zabza’s son.
The crash scene was near the busy W&OD Trail.
Police arrested the vehicle’s driver — 46-year-old South Riding resident David Alan Francis.
“Detectives believe [Francis] lost control of the truck causing it to exit the roadway and hit Bernstein-Zabza and the juvenile,” police said.
More from FCPD:
Bernstein-Zabza was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased.
The juvenile was treated for minor injuries. Francis ran from the scene but was arrested a short time later. He was not injured.
Both speed and drugs appear to be factors. Francis was charged with one count of felony hit and run. He was taken to the Adult Detention Center where he is being held without bond. Additional charges are anticipated.
Detectives believe Francis may have been involved in additional criminal events yesterday in both Fairfax County and adjoining jurisdictions.
Since 2009, Francis has faced 30 charges including many traffic-related ones like driving under a revoked or suspended license, operating an uninsured vehicle, speeding and improper driving, according to court records.
An FCPD spokesperson told Tysons Reporter that police preliminarily believe that within the hour prior to the fatal pedestrian crash, Francis was involved in the following incidents:
- hit and run crash with injury at Route 50/Pleasant Valley Rd around 2:15 p.m.
- hit and run property damage crash in the 7600 block of Virginia Lane
- subsequent hit and run property damage crash in the 7600 block of Virginia Lane
- Falls Church City incident
- subsequent Falls Church City incident
- fatal pedestrian crash dispatched at 2:47 p.m.
Police ask that anyone with information contact the Crash Reconstruction Unit at 703-280-0543. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477).
Image via Google Maps, photo via FCPD
Parents thought someone had entered their Vienna home and taken things while they were on vacation — not knowing their son’s friends had come over.
The parents, who live in the 200 block of Cedar Lane SE, had been on away since July 10, according to Vienna police.
More from the Vienna Police Department from a July 30 report:
When they arrived home, they found signs that someone had been in their apartment. Multiple items were moved, some items were missing, and kitchen items had been used. A neighbor advised they saw multiple people inside the residence and assumed they were family friends.
It was later determined that the resident’s juvenile son gave his key to friends and allowed them to use the apartment while the family was away.
Police counseled the son about “providing false to the police,” according to the report. “It was determined that no charges would be placed and the parents will handle the matter.”
Photo via Facebook
Fairfax County police arrested three people in connection with a burglary at a Maserati dealership in Tysons.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight Thursday (Aug. 1) at 8448 Leesburg Pike.
More from FCPD:
Officers responded to a report of several suspects that were seen inside a dealership. The suspects ran when officers arrived. Two suspects were immediately caught by officers and a third suspect was caught with the assistance of a police K9.
Police arrested and charged an 18-year-old man from D.C. with burglary and destruction of property. “Two juveniles face similar charges,” police said.
In a separate incident, more Infiniti cars were stolen from the Infiniti dealer at 8527 Leesburg Pike around 4 a.m. on Wednesday (July 31).
“Someone broke into the business and stole a 2015 Infinity QX60 and a 2009 Infinity FX35,” according to police.
The dealership also had a 2012 Infiniti QX 56 and a 2008 Infiniti M35 stolen on Thursday, July 25, and a 2011 Infiniti G35 and a 2010 Infiniti FX35 taken in June.
Image via Google Maps
Tysons Reporter is starting a new monthly crime map showing where the incidents occurred in Fairfax County Police Department’s McLean District Station.
Readers overwhelmingly voted in support of the map when we polled them last week.
We went ahead and pulled together all of the incidents noted for the McLean District Station in FCPD crime recaps from July 1-31, weeded out the ones that are not in the Tysons Reporter coverage area and plotted them in the interactive map above.
The McLean District Station covers crime in Merrifield, Dunn Loring, Falls Church, McLean, Tysons and Great Falls.
Use the icon in the top left corner of the map to toggle between the various types of crimes displayed.
Fairfax County’s weekday police recaps are not comprehensive lists of every incident and the addresses are approximate. FCPD also notes that information in the recaps “is generally based on initial reports made to the police department.”
Anyone with information about any of these crimes should call 703-691-2131 or 1-866-411-TIPS(8477).
Fairfax County police arrested a kid for allegedly stealing someone’s phone near the Tysons Corner Metro station.
The incident occurred shortly after 10 p.m. on Tuesday (July 30) at 7902 Tysons One Plaza.
“The victim was sitting on the steps to the plaza when the suspect took the victim’s phone and ran away,” according to a police report.
Police said that they found and arrested the suspect.
https://twitter.com/cbweber521/status/1156392116270108672?s=20
Separate incidents on Tuesday included three home burglaries in McLean and one attempted commercial burglary in Tysons.
Police said that someone entered a home in the 7900 block of Old Cedar Court overnight through an unlocked door and took personal documents and jewelry.
Around 9 a.m., a homeowner reported to police that someone damaged a door, entered the home in the 7300 block of Hooking Road overnight and stole electronics.
Police said someone entered a home in the 11000 block of Old Stage Court through an unlocked door and took jewelry around 4:15 p.m.
An employee at Shiraz Market (8486 Tyco Roa) reported to the police that someone damaged the windows and door of the building, but nothing was taken.
