HELICOPTER AND K-9 SEARCH YIELDS SUSPECT
Helicopters were flying and dogs were sniffing. A suspect had not only eluded United States Park Police Officer Kermit Minnick during an attempted traffic stop on the parkway, but evaded the same officer after being stopped and partially handcuffed. Neighbors throughout the Collingwood and Waynewood neighborhoods heard the helicopters hovering and saw police and dogs passing through their back yards.
In the criminal incident record, Minnick wrote that on Wednesday, May 5, he observed a red Nissan 300ZX bearing tags Virginia tags JKC9167 traveling southbound at a high rate of speed on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. He activated the front antenna of his cruiser's RADAR unit in the opposite direction and received a speed reading of 62 mph on the Nissan in the posted 45 mph speed zone. He made a U-turn and attempted to catch up to the Nissan which appeared to have increased its speed after it passed by Minnick's cruiser.
The report continues to say that after the officer caught up to the Nissan southbound at the Alexandria Overpass, he activated his emergency equipment in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The driver refused to stop and made a right-hand turn onto West Boulevard Drive. The Nissan drove down West Boulevard at approximately 92 mph with its lights off. The suspect's vehicle left about 50 feet of skid marks before spinning out of control, going through the stop sign at Collingwood Road sideways and leaving the roadway in reverse. The rear end of the Nissan struck a tree on the southeast corner of the intersection at West Boulevard Drive and Collingwood Road.
The operator, who was later identified as Charles Blakeney Jr., exited the vehicle and began to run away from the officer. Minnick exited the cruiser and gave commands for Blakeney to stop. Blakeney ignored the commands and fled on foot, running down the street, over several fences and through back yards before being apprehended by Minnick. At that point, Minnick ordered Blakeney to put his hands behind his head and proceeded to handcuff one hand. While reaching to place the second handcuff, Blakeney pushed the officer's right forearm and escaped. Minnick gave pursuit, but lost track of him on Cedardale Drive.
The United States Park Police helicopter, Eagle 1, began searching for Blakeney with a spotlight. Park Police K-9 units Peer and Nader began tracking Blakeney from his last known location. Fairfax County Police officers arrived on the scene, including MPO Greg Kottemann, Crime Prevention Officer, and Officer Bransom, who found paperwork in the Nissan identifying Blakeney's address as 1101 Collingwood Road. The officers responded to that address, where the owner permitted the officers to enter the house. They found Blakeney under the bed with one handcuff on his arm. He was taken into custody and later placed under arrest for numerous charges.
BOY LOSES BOTH HANDS DURING ASSAULT
On May 10, at approximately 1 a.m., a 16-year-old Alexandria area boy was assaulted with a machete and had both of his hands cut off. The boy had been walking along the 6400 block of Edsall Road in the Alexandria area, when he was assaulted by several individuals, one of whom who had a machete.
The boy suffered from life threatening injuries and was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital, but is expected to survive. The assault is believed to be gang related. The investigation is continuing.
ENGLESIDE MAN ARRESTED
A 21-year-old Engleside area man was arrested after he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old female. On Wednesday, April 29, at approximately 7 p.m., the victim was walking in a parking lot of the 7900 block of Janna Lee Ave in the Hybla Valley area. The victim saw the man she knew as an acquaintance. They talked, and at his request they entered his vehicle, which was in the parking lot. The suspect then sexually assaulted the female. The victim managed to escape her attacker and fled the area. The victim was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital for treatment. The investigation led to the May 7 arrest of Tyris Wilson, of 5800 St. Gregory Lane in the Engleside area. Wilson was charged with rape, animate object penetration, and abduction. He is being held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.
OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULED
<lst>The annual Mount Vernon District Station Open House will be held in conjunction with Mount Vernon Community Day on Saturday, May 22, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Members of Fairfax County Police Department Special Operations Division from K-9, Bomb Squad, Marine Patrol, Traffic Safety, Traffic Enforcement, Helicopter and Tactical Team will be on hand to show the tools of their trade. A limited amount of appointments will also be available for Safety Seat Inspections. To make a reservation, call 703-360-8928; leave the name, number of seats, age of children, type of vehicle and contact numbers.