Robbery Attempt in Falls Church — “The victim was getting out of a van when a man walked up to him, displayed a handgun and demanded money. The victim quickly backed away and the man ran away.” [FCPD]
Students, Retirees Send Valentine’s Day Care Packages — “On Jan. 27, nearly 150 individuals, from kindergartners to octogenarians, took part in The Potomac School’s third annual Intergenerational Valentine’s Day Service Event, hosted by Vinson Hall Retirement Community.” [McLean Connection]
Snow in the Forecast — “The first in this trio of storm systems is slated to arrive Saturday, with a second one possible Sunday and finally another targeting late Tuesday into Wednesday next week. The Saturday and late-Tuesday-Wednesday systems appear to have the most wintry potential locally, but they are also far from sure bets.” [Washington Post]
Police are looking for a suspect in the robbery of a gas station in Falls Church over the weekend.
The Shell station at 6623 Wilson Blvd. was robbed around 7:10 p.m. Saturday, according to Falls Church police.
Police say the man implied he had a handgun and demanded cash.
“The suspect is described as a 35-40 year old black male, about 6′ tall, clean shaven, slim build, wearing a black sweater,” police said. A short video of the suspect entering the store is available online.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 703-248-5053.
Photo via City of Falls Church Police
A Falls Church man has been arrested and charged with drunkenly trying to rob a rideshare driver, then beating him with his own windshield wiper.
The alleged incident happened around 1:45 a.m. Tuesday. Fairfax County Police say 30-year-old William Paneque and another man were being driven from Tysons Corner Center to the 2900 block of Monticello Drive, in the West Falls Church area.
“Once they arrived, one of the men grabbed the victim’s jacket and demanded money,” FCPD said in a crime report. “The victim told the suspect he did not have any money.”
“The suspect broke a windshield wiper off the car and hit the victim with it, causing minor injury,” the crime report continues. “Officers arrested William Paneque, 30, of Falls Church, as he tried to leave the scene. Paneque was charged with attempted robbery, destruction of property and drunk in public.”
Photo courtesy Fairfax County Police Department
A woman was robbed of her purse and cell phone along Maple Avenue in Vienna this past weekend.
The robbery happened around 4 a.m. Sunday (Jan. 20) along the 400 block of Maple Avenue W., as the victim walked down the sidewalk on the north side of the street.
“The man knocked the woman to the ground and kicked her in the face multiple times,” Vienna police said in the town’s weekly crime report. “The woman suffered facial injuries and was transported by rescue personnel to an area hospital. This case is being investigated.”
Photo via Google Maps
Fairfax County Police are reminding residents to lock their doors after a wave of burglaries hit the McLean, Reston, and Fair Oaks Districts.
“The burglaries have primarily been during the early afternoon and evening hours,” FCPD said in a press release. “The majority of victims have been of Asian or Middle Eastern descent. Detectives are investigating whether all of these incidents are connected and whether other burglaries from across Fairfax County are related.”
At least 13 burglaries have taken place in Fairfax over the last two months at the following residences:
- 5200 block of Knight Arch Circle, Fairfax
- 11800 block of Robertson Farm Circle, Fairfax
- 11800 block of Robertson Farm Circle, Fairfax
- 11800 block of Robertson Farm Circle, Fairfax
- 4800 block of Annamohr Drive, Fairfax
- 11300 block of Andrew Lane, Fairfax
- 11300 block of Andrew Lane, Fairfax
- 1100 block of Mountain Hope Court, Great Falls
- 200 block of Golden Woods Court, Great Falls
- 1100 block of Lees Meadow Court, Great Falls
- 1200 block of Raymond Avenue, McLean
- 3500 block of Saint Augustin Lane, Oakton
- 9600 block of Maymont Drive, Vienna
“We are also working alongside the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and Manassas City Police Department who are investigating similar cases,” FCPD said. “Please be on the lookout for suspicious people, cars and noises. Do not hesitate to call our non-emergency number, 703-691-2131, to report suspicious activity or 911 for an emergency.”
In the meantime, FCPD released a list of tips to help people protect their homes from burglary:
- Keep all doors and windows closed and locked.
- Secure sliding glass doors by placing a metal rod or a wooden dowel rod in the track.
- Lock the door to an attached garage.
- Make your residence appear occupied, even when no one is home, to help deter criminals.
- Keep the perimeter of your home well lit.
- Have a trusted neighbor collect mail and newspapers while you are away.
- Keep landscaping trimmed away from entrances and walkways.
- Organize or join a Neighborhood Watch program.
- Get a free home security check from a Crime Prevention Officer.
- Keep an inventory of your property.
- Store ladders, tools and any other outside objects in a locked shed or garage.
- Make sure the home’s address is visible for police, firemen and paramedics.
Five people burst into an apartment in Falls Church Sunday night in what Fairfax County Police are describing as a home invasion robbery.
The crime happened around 10 p.m. in a condominium community on the 7700 block of New Providence Drive, near Pine Spring Elementary and across the lake from 2941 Restaurant.
“The victims were inside an apartment playing video games when someone knocked on their door,” FCPD said in a crime report. “Upon answering the door, five suspects forced their way into the apartment, assaulting one victim and stealing electronics and other personal items.”
“The victim sustained minor injuries,” the crime report continues. “The five suspects were described as black men, in their early 20’s, one who was 6’3″, had dreadlocks and wore a hoodie.”
Map via Google Maps
A Maryland man was arrested Sunday and charged with trying to rob the CVS Pharmacy on Leesburg Pike (Route 7) in Tysons.
Fairfax County Police say 34-year-old Mark Connor “walked into the CVS, went behind the counter and told an employee he was there to rob him.” The incident happened shortly before 3 p.m.
“Officers arrived and placed Connor under arrest for robbery, false identification to law enforcement and felony possession of narcotics,” FCPD said in a crime report.
Map via Google Maps
Police Release Sketch of Vienna Robbery Suspect — Fairfax County Police have released a sketch of the suspect who robbed a man at gunpoint on Oct. 6 along path to the Vienna Metro station. [Facebook]
Rapid Pace of Tysons Development — The pace of development in Tysons is impressing even seasoned local business people. At a recent Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce breakfast, the gathered crowd was wowed by a slide showing buildings now under construction and approved developments in Tysons. [InsideNova]
Local Firms Place High on Fortune List — From the most recent FCEDA E-Bird: “Hilton and Mars Inc. are among the top three places to work — not just in Fairfax County but in the world according to Fortune.com. San Francisco-based Salesforce, Tysons Corner-based Hilton and McLean-based Mars ranked 1-2-3 based on employee surveys conducted by Fortune partner Great Place to Work around the world. Companies racked up points based on respect, fairness, pride, camaraderie, and trust.” [Fortune]
FCPS Digital Citizenship Week — “This week is Digital Citizenship Week in our county schools and it’s important for parents/guardians to help children become safe, ethical, responsible and respectful digital citizens.” [Fairfax County]
Cvent Makes Big Acquisition — Tysons-based event tech company Cvent has acquired D.C.-based event and venue planning startup Social Tables for, reportedly, more than $100 million. [Washington Business Journal]
Reminder: Social Media Week Fairfax Tomorrow — Social Media Week Fairfax, featuring a number of marquee speakers including Judy Smith of Scandal fame, will be taking place tomorrow (Thursday) from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Capital One HQ in Tysons. A complete agenda is available here.
Fairfax County Police are investigating an armed robbery near the Vienna/Fairfax GMU Metro station.
Police say a man was walking on a footpath to the station just before midnight this past Saturday, Oct. 6., when he was approached by a man who pointed a gun at him and demanded cash.
“The victim gave the man his wallet and then ran to his house to report the robbery,” FCPD said in a crime report. “The suspect was described as a black male, 6′, with a thick build.”
Map via Google Maps
Police say a woman in Falls Church was physically assaulted during a robbery.
The 74-year old woman was reportedly walking through the Kingsley Commons Townhouses on her way home around 12:50 a.m. on Wednesday (Sept. 26) morning when a man approached her.
The woman told police the man, who she didn’t recognize, punched her in the face and stole her purse. The woman was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Photo via Google Maps
