<sh>Strong-Arm Robberies Suspect Sought
<bt>The City of Fairfax Police are asking for the public's assistance in locating a suspect responsible for two strong-arm robberies that occurred in the city. The suspect is described as a white male, early to mid-20s, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds, with medium-brown, shoulder-length, unkempt, wavy hair and a prominent nose. He was wearing a dark-colored sweatshirt and dark-colored pants. Police note that the suspect was also barefoot at the time of the robberies, and that he was barefoot on a cold and rainy day.
On April 18 at approximately 6:41 p.m., the suspect entered the Super H Mart at 10780 Lee Highway. The suspect wandered around the business for several hours before grabbing a female victim's purse. The suspect fled on foot. At 7:07 p.m., the same suspect approached a female at the parking lot of the Giant Foods store at 11200 Main St. He forcibly took her purse and fled on foot.
Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect is asked to call the City of Fairfax Police Department at 703-285-7924.
<sh>Benefit Race Scheduled
<bt>The Arc of Northern Virginia will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Patriots’ Cup 8K Corporate Challenge on Sunday, May 4, at 9 a.m., at George Mason University. The Patriots’ Cup race is an annual event to raise money and awareness to promote full participation of individuals with developmental disabilities. Local corporations participate in the Patriots’ Cup by sponsoring the race or organizing teams of employees, family members and friends. Individuals can also register and compete for prizes. Music, food and festivities will be among the day’s events. Volunteers are also needed and welcome.
For more information, call The Arc of Northern Virginia at 703-532-3214 or visit www.TheArcofNoVa.org.
<sh>New Volunteer Web Site Launched
<bt>Volunteer Fairfax recently launched its new Fairfax County Citizen Corps Web site. Interested citizens may now register online at www.fairfaxcountycitizencorps.org for over 6,000 volunteer opportunities in Neighborhood Watch, Community Emergency Response Training, Volunteers in Police Service and the Medical Reserve Corps, as well as other affiliated organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
The development of this Web site and the Fairfax Citizen Corps is the culmination of months of collaborative efforts between Volunteer Fairfax and county first-responders. For more information about the Citizen Corps, contact Volunteer Fairfax at www.fairfaxcountycitizencorps.org, www.volunteerfairfax.org, or call 703-246-3460.
<sh>West Nile Virus Vaccine Now Offered for Horses
<bt>The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) urges all horse owners to vaccinate their animals against the West Nile virus. The USDA has now given full approval to the equine vaccination, which had been conditionally approved two years ago.
The West Nile virus vaccine for equines requires two doses administered three to six weeks apart. The vaccine takes four to six weeks to be effective. For more information on the West Nile virus and how to protect humans and horses, go to www.vdacs.state.va.us/animals/wnv.html, www.vdh.state.va.us/epi/wnv.htm, and www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/wnv/index.html.