The following column features police alerts, updates on arrests and information from the Mount Vernon District Station. This column will be updated weekly.
Robbery and Sexual Assault —
A woman was robbed and then sexually assaulted in her own neighborhood. On Thursday, March 4, about 2:40 a.m., a 57-year-old Hybla Valley area woman parked her car in the 7900 block of Audubon Avenue when a man approached her and demanded money. Once she relinquished her purse he sexually assaulted her and then left the area. The suspect was described as a light-skinned black man in his thirties, standing between five feet eight inches and six feet tall, with a muscular build and dark-colored hair. He wore a black shirt with a white logo on the back. Anyone with information about the suspect or this incident is asked to call police at 703-691-2131 or Crime Solvers at 1-800-673-2777.
Burglary at High School —
A school employee interrupted a burglar at Mount Vernon High School last night. On Thursday, March 10, at 9:20 p.m., a 54-year-old woman, employed by Fairfax County Public Schools as a custodian, encountered a man inside Mount Vernon High School, located at 8515 Old Mount Vernon Road in the Mount Vernon area. The woman spotted the suspect in a hallway carrying several pieces of computer equipment. The witness yelled for help and the suspect fled the scene, leaving the equipment behind. The suspect left the scene in a black car. The suspect was described as white, in his late teens, 5 feet tall, approximately 140 pounds, and wearing black clothing and a black hat. It was later discovered that other computer equipment was missing. Anyone with information is asked to call police at (703) 691-2131 or Crime Solvers at 800-673-2777.
Dog Bite —
<lst>A 41-year-old Alexandria area man was bitten by a dog on Tuesday, March 16. At approximately 11:20 a.m., the man was walking on Janna Lee Avenue near Tamarino Street when a black pit bull with no collar charged at him, biting him on his leg. The dog was chased away by passersby. It is not known who owns the dog or the dogís whereabouts. The man was treated at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital for puncture wounds to his leg. Anyone with information about the dog or its owner is asked to call Animal Control at 703-266-6490.
Stop Sign Hit —
On Saturday, March 20 at 3 a.m., a GMC 3500 Truck (VA license plate TU 85677) hit a tree and knocked down the Stop sign at the corner of Dalebrook Drive and Waynewood Boulevard. A neighbor called the non-emergency number to Fairfax County and the police responded at 3:20 a.m. The people who were driving the truck abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. The vehicle lost its drive shaft and the rear wheels were flat and left parked in front of the Waynewood Pool area. A neighbor later saw a late model Dodge car carrying a number of youths who transferred what appeared to be liquor from the truck and drove off. Later that night, the parents were alerted and they were at the scene of the accident. As of 1 p.m. on Sunday, a group of men were seen repairing the GMC truck in preparation to remove it. No word on who the driver was, or if charges will be placed.
Suspicious Van —
A suspicious van has been reported by a resident of the 900 block of Croton Drive. It has been sighted on several streets in northeast Waynewood during after-school hours on at least four recent occasions. It is suspect because it does a slow roll without apparent business such as repair work or delivery stops. The van is white with no markings (make unknown) and has a white male driver with dark complexion in his 40's or 50's. If sighted, attempt to get a license plate number and, if successful, contact MPO Greg Kotteman, Crime Prevention Officer at the Mt. Vernon District Police Station at (703) 360-8928.
Support for Budget Hearing —
The Mount Vernon Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) is seeking supporters to represent the Mount Vernon Police District at the Board of Supervisors 2005 Budget Meeting on March 31. As usual, the Board is looking to cut the police budget. Items on the chopping block: 7 School Resource Officers for the middle schools; Marine Patrol; Animal Control (reduce staff); 16 officer positions unfunded; Traffic Safety Section eliminated as well as others.
Concerned citizens will meet at the Police Station BY 7 p.m. on, Wednesday, March 31 and form car pools for the trek out to the Government Center.
For a ride, call 703-360-8928 to reserve your seat or If you have a mini-van (or large vehicle) and wouldnít mind driving, call 703-360-8928 to volunteer. A message will be posted on 703-360-8928 by noon on the 31st to confirm the schedule.