Case Goes to Grand Jury
<bt>The case against a Sterling man accused of sexually assaulting a Chantilly woman is heading for the grand jury. The man in question is Christian Flores, 23, of 1030 South Hoga Road.
According to Fairfax County police, the alleged incident occurred June 24. They say the woman, 26, has a "severely diminished mental capacity," and Flores was acquainted with her and was a visitor in the home that she and her care-giver share. Police say that's where the alleged crime happened.
Following an investigation, on July 7, police charged Flores with animate-object sexual penetration. But when he appeared last Tuesday, Sept. 2, in General District Court, the charge was amended to the lesser offense of aggravated sexual battery.
Flores then waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and Judge Richard Horan certified the case to the next grand jury for possible indictment. If convicted, Flores could receive as much as 20 years in prison.
<sh>Robbery Case Also Goes to the Grand Jury
<bt>A case involving an attempted bank robbery is also going to the grand jury. The person accused of this crime is Charles A. Taylor, 21, of no fixed address. Fairfax County police arrested him, July 12, following an attempted robbery at the new Community Bank of Northern Virginia at 13986 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly.
Police say employees there became suspicious after Taylor reportedly entered the bank twice, looked around and then left. When he came inside again, around 9:40 a.m., police were alerted. According to police, Taylor allegedly gave a teller a note demanding cash. Responding officers from the Fair Oaks District Station found Taylor outside the bank and, after conferring with bank employees, police charged him with attempted bank robbery.
He appeared Monday, Sept. 8, in General District Court and, at that time, Judge Michael Cassidy certified the case against him to the next grand jury for possible indictment.
<sh>Police Charge 4 with DWI
<bt>A police sobriety checkpoint last week yielded four DWI arrests. Officers from the Sully District Station conducted the checkpoint from last Friday, Sept. 5, at 11 p.m. until Saturday, Sept. 6, at 2:30 a.m. at the intersection of Route 29 and Union Mill Road in Centreville. During that time, 560 vehicles went through the checkpoint and four people were charged with driving while under the influence (DWI).
<sh>WFCCA Land Use Meeting
<bt>The West Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA) Land-Use Committee will meet Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. in Supervisor Michael R. Frey's (R-Sully) conference room. It's in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.
Discussion items include a new, fast-food restaurant in the vicinity of Route 28 and Willard Road in Chantilly, plus a possible zoning-ordinance amendment regarding intensely developed areas of the county.
<sh>Centreville Community Coalition
<bt>The next meeting of the Centreville Community Coalition will be Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 10 a.m. For location and other information, call Debbie Martin at 703-802-9454.
<sh>BZA Gives OK to Church
<bt>The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) on Tuesday approved a special-permit request by Ox Hill Baptist Church of Chantilly and the Fairfax County Office of Partnerships. The permit allows the church to provide facilities that this county organization may use for a computer training lab.
Local school children already use the computer lab there, but the special permit was still needed. The BZA gave the church a unanimous approval, Tuesday, with a vote of 6-0.
<sh>Francese Runs for NOVEC Spot
<bt>Little Rocky Run's Al Francese is the only person from Fairfax County running for a spot on NOVEC's board of directors. NOVEC is holding elections during its annual meeting, Thursday, Sept. 18, and Francese is one of five candidates (the others are from Prince William County) vying for a single, at-large position.
<sh>WFCM Needs Volunteers
<bt>Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) is now in its new building, consolidating its Shepherd Center (food pantry and resale clothing shop) and business office at 13981 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly, next to Midas Muffler. But volunteers are still greatly needed to work in the Shepherd Center — especially between 10 a.m.-noon and 12-2 p.m. Call 703-988-9656.
<sh>Regional Park Authority Meets
<bt> The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority will hold its September board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 8 p.m., at the National Recreation & Park Association Ahrens Institute, 22377 Belmont Ridge Road in Ashburn.
The NVRPA Board usually meets on the third Thursday of the month. Next month, the board will meet on Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Authority’s headquarters, the Walter L. Mess Building, 5400 Ox Road in Fairfax Station.