The McLean Citizens Association (MCA) is mulling a call for more local police funding in the face of rapid development in Tysons.

MCA is set to discuss the funding resolution at the group’s Board of Directors meeting this Wednesday (April 3). The proposal calls for increased funding to Fairfax County Police Department’s McLean District starting with the next county budget.

The station’s McLean name can be a bit misleading — the McLean Police District covers not just McLean, but Tysons, Merrifield, and the Wolf Trap area near Vienna.

In the Fairfax County proposed budget’s five-year staffing plan, police staffing in Tysons is scheduled to gradually increase in the urban areas, but the implementation of this staffing increase is set to be deferred from the upcoming Fiscal Year 2020 budget.

The MCA resolution argues that the county needs to act more quickly:

County Police Department assesses that the McLean Station needed 6 more officers by 2019, 29 more officers by 2024 and a total of 65 additional officers by 2029 just to keep pace with the growth… given that it takes nine months for new officers to complete training, it is critical that the County take steps in the very near future to make a ‘down payment’ on implementation of the McLean Station staffing plan.

The resolution urges the Board of Supervisors to begin implementing the McLean Station staffing plan, including reassigning some newly-trained recruits to the McLean District’s “Tysons Urban Team,” starting later this year.

A resident called Vienna police to turn in a firearm last week, but the gun turned out to be a starter pistol.

The call went out Friday, March 22, shortly after noon, according to this week’s Vienna Police Department crime report, which details even the most minor police actions in the town.

According to the report, a resident on Woodland Court, NW turned in the starter pistol, which fires blanks to mark the start of races, and police will destroy the gun per the resident’s wishes. Accepting unwanted firearms is a common service provided by local police departments, including in Fairfax County.

Elsewhere in Vienna, this week’s crime report includes a case of a Lewis Street, NW resident who “reported a continuous problem with people banging loudly on the doors and windows of their home and running away,” and an incident on Glyndon Street, NE in which “a resident was walking her dog in the park when another dog in the park escaped its owner’s grasp and knocked over both the resident and her dog.”

Photo via Facebook

(Updated at 4:50 p.m.) Traffic in the Tysons and McLean areas is extraordinarily heavy due to the tanker truck crash on the Beltway.

With the Inner Loop completely blocked before the American Legion Bridge — and the closure and hazmat cleanup expected to continue for hours — traffic is spilling onto other local arteries and bridges.

(As of 3:45 p.m., a single lane of the Inner Loop had been temporarily opened to allow some traffic through.)

A solid line of very heavy traffic has been reported on eastbound Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road) from downtown McLean to Chain Bridge, which is also jammed. Arlington County Police have been called to the intersection of Chain Bridge Road and N. Glebe Road to assist with gridlocked traffic.

Elsewhere in McLean, Route 193 (Georgetown Pike) is a virtual parking lot between the Beltway and Route 123. The northbound GW Parkway exit to the Inner Loop is closed, following an earlier, complete closure from Route 123 to the Beltway. And in Arlington, police are responding to reports of very heavy traffic in Rosslyn approaching the Key Bridge.

The Inner Loop itself, meanwhile, is a solid line of slow-to-stopped traffic from Merrifield to the crash scene. VDOT is advising motorists to avoid it altogether.

Folks, do not attempt to get on the Inner Loop at this time. Period. And if a responder is behind you, find a way to move. Period. Your National Capital Region responders are amazing, but they need to get there in order to help. https://t.co/PljWNJgC2L

— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) March 28, 2019

Virginia State Police say they’ve deployed additional resources to the area to help with traffic control. Drivers should “plan ahead for detours and delays,” VSP said in a press release, which notes that charges are pending in connection to the crash.

At 1:52 p.m. Thursday (March 28), Virginia State Police responded to a crash involving an overturned tanker truck. The crash occurred in the northbound lanes of I-495 at the American Legion Bridge. Another vehicle struck the tanker truck as it overturned in the roadway. Neither the driver of the truck nor other vehicle was injured.

The tanker is loaded with approximately 8,500 gallons of fuel, which must be unloaded/pumped into another tanker before the overturned vehicle can be brought upright and removed from the scene.

Additional Virginia State Police resources have responded to the scene and manage traffic control. VSP is working with VDOT, U.S. Park Police, and Fairfax County Police to detour and redirect travel throughout the area. Motorists are advised to avoid the Inner Loop, northbound I-495 Express Lanes  and the northbound lanes of the American Legion Bridge through evening rush hour.

The crash remains under investigation. Charges are pending.

More via social media:

This is a first for us (and a career highlight)— we’re enroute with 2 of our Incident Management Coordinators (1 is already there) to the overturned tanker at the AL Bridge with two of our spill support trailers. Let’s talk about Traffic Incident Management! pic.twitter.com/fkVxHtKhHq

— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) March 28, 2019

INCIDENT: Traffic Delays
LOCATION: National Capital Region
IMPACT: A major accident has occurred NB I495 at the American Legion Bridge in Fairfax County. Expect delays and heavy traffic in the region throughout rush hour. pic.twitter.com/OO0E2gWp3e

— Arlington Alert (@ArlingtonAlert) March 28, 2019

A string of residential burglaries first reported in December has continued, with 10 additional burglaries that are believed to be related to the initial 13, according to police.

Fairfax County Police say the home burglaries “are committed by a group of professional individuals, mainly targeting victims of Asian or Middle Eastern descent.” They’re asking for the public’s help in solving the crimes.

More from an FCPD press release from late last week (burglaries in the Tysons Reporter coverage area are highlighted in bold.):

Detectives continue to ask for the public’s help in solving numerous residential burglaries in the McLean, Reston, and Fair Oaks police districts. In addition to the 13 addresses we released in December, detectives are also looking at ten other cases that may be related.  Below is a list of the additional cases being investigated:

• 8400 block of Reflection Lane, Vienna
• 8200 block of Falstaff Road, McLean
• 4800 block of Muddler Way, Fairfax
• 12500 block of Cerromar Place, Fairfax
• 1300 block of Earnestine Street, McLean
• 1400 block of Woodhurst Boulevard, McLean
• 7800 block of Loughran Road, McLean
• 9700 block of Middleton Ridge Road, Vienna
• 10000 block of Park Royal Drive, Great Falls
• 1600 block of Admirals Hill Court, Vienna

After the initial burglaries were reported near the end of 2018, officers and detectives increased proactive patrols, met with community members, and continue to remain vigilant in identifying the suspects involved. It is believed that the crimes are committed by a group of professional individuals, mainly targeting victims of Asian or Middle Eastern descent. In many of the cases, detectives found entry was made through the rear door of the victims’ homes. The burglaries occurred primarily in the late afternoon and evening hours. Total losses are in excess of a million dollars.

Anyone with information regarding this recent string of incidents is asked to call the McLean District Station at 703-556-7750, the Reston District Station at 703-478-0904, or the Fair Oaks District Station at 703-591-0966. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by visiting http://www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org, or calling 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). They can also be sent in via text by texting “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES (274637). Text STOP to 274637 to cancel, or HELP to 274637 for help. Message and data rates may apply. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1000 if their information leads to an arrest.

For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.

Fairfax County Police say investigating a trail of broken eggs and gunshots yesterday (Thursday) led to a combative encounter on the 2000 block of George Washington Road.

Officers responded to a report from a homeowner whose entertainment center was damaged when a bullet came in through the window, according to a police report.

While investigating the gunshot, an unusual set of circumstances led police to a combative suspect.

According to the police report:

As officers were checking the area, they saw broken eggs on the outside wall of a nearby home. Officers spoke with a man inside that home, Varun Srivastav, 21, of Fairfax. Officers learned there was a handgun inside in Srivastav’s home.  This agitated Srivastav who became combative and hit two officers. Srivastav was arrested but continued to assault officers while being escorted to the cruiser. Once he arrived at the Adult Detention Center, Srivastav assaulted two deputies.

Police say Srivastav was charged with four counts of assault on law enforcement and resisting arrest, with additional charges possible pending investigation.

Photo via FCPD

Police were called to the Vienna’s Freeman House a few days ago after human feces was found in a closet.

The defecation happened at some point this past Friday or Saturday, according to Vienna police.

“An employee reported that an unknown person took a bucket into a closet in the store and defecated in it,” according to today’s Vienna crime report. No additional information was immediately available.

The Freeman House Store and Museum at 131 Church Street NE is described as “a historic country store that gives visitors an opportunity to step back in time to experience what general stores in Virginia once looked like.”

Photo via Historic Vienna Inc.

As spring comes around, there’s a better than usual chance that Fairfax County residents might find baby animals in their back yards or on trails.

But Fairfax police say folks should think twice before trying to step in and help a baby animal, according to a press release. More often than not, police said human intervention could hinder the animal’s chances at survival.

Animal protection officers said the most commonly found animals in Fairfax County are squirrels, red foxes, raccoons, rabbits, skunks, opossums and songbirds.

According to police, signs that an animal needs help include:

• Signs of flies, worms or maggots, which look like grains of rice
• Was caught by a cat or dog
• Signs of trauma, such as an open wound, bleeding, or swelling
• If the parents are known to be dead or are separated and cannot be united
• Is very cold, thin or weak
• Is on the ground unable to move
• Is not fully furred or feathered

Still, police noted that baby animals rehabilitated by their parents are much more likely to survive than those assisted by humans.

According to the press release:

A young animal’s best chance for survival is to receive natural care from its parents and remain wild. Survival rates of rehabilitated animals are often low and many do not survive their first year upon release back into the wild. Before intervening, please learn more about which wildlife species and situations you are most likely to encounter and ways to determine whether an animal needs help.

Police said many animals brought to wildlife professionals are in no actual need of human help. Baby animals left alone are not necessarily orphaned or abandoned and many species of wildlife hide their young for safety and leave them alone for extended periods of time.

According to the release:

If you come across a baby animal and feel the need to intervene, we offer guidelines below to determine if the animal needs help. If an animal is displaying these signs, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, veterinarian or our Animal Protection Police for further assistance and instruction. Please do not handle any baby wild animal and do not attempt to offer food or water unless instructed to do so by a professional. This can do more harm than good.

If you have questions about whether an animal needs help or to locate a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, police say people can contact the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline toll-free at 1-855-571-9003. This helpline is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 pm. Animal Protection Police can be reached through the non-emergency line at 703-691-2131.

Photo via Facebook

Fairfax County Police are asking for help in finding whoever beat two puppies to death and dumped their bodies in Tysons last week.

Officers were called last Monday (March 11) to the 1900 block of Gallows Road, an office park in southwest Tysons, where they found the two puppies next to a dumpster, said FCPD.

According to a press release:

A necropsy revealed both puppies died from blunt force trauma to their heads. Their breed was not able to be determined due to their young age. They are believed to have been about a month old. One was a male puppy with a unique blue merle coat and the other was a female with a fawn colored coat.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Officer McLemore at 571-221-8030.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously online, by calling 1-866-411-TIPS, or texting “TIP187” and “CRIMES” to that number. Tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest.

Fairfax police also reminded animal owners that their pets can be surrendered to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter if they can no longer be cared for.

File photo

Fairfax County Police are holding an anti-DUI and alcohol awareness event at Langley High School in McLean today.

The event, which is being held from 9 a.m. to noon, is timed to coincide with some key moments on the school calendar.

More from FCPD:

Prom and graduation season are quickly approaching, and we want to remind teens about the importance of being responsible at celebrations. We are partnering with Fairfax County Public Schools by hosting our Spring Drug and Alcohol Awareness Program.

Juniors and seniors at Langley High School will be given the opportunity to wear physical impairment goggles while being tested on both simple and complex tasks, such as driving a wheelchair through a cone course or going through a mock sobriety check with our officers. Students will also learn about Virginia’s underage drinking laws and the consequences for breaking them, as well as the physical and mental dangers that often come with underage drinking.

A supermarket in Vienna has been the victim of a theft of shrimp twice in as many weeks.

Both thefts happened between 10-11 a.m. on a weekday and involved a man walking off with pilfered shrimp from the Giant store at 359 Maple Avenue E., according to the latest Vienna Police Department crime report.

The first theft happened on Monday, Feb. 25, when “a man left the store without paying for several platters of shrimp.” The second theft happened on Friday, March 8 when “a man left the store without paying for several bags of shrimp.”

A description of the suspect or suspects was not provided in the crime report.

Photo via Facebook