<sh>Scam Artists Arrested
<bt>Three individuals have been arrested after a year-long scam that primarily targeted Hispanic victims. The individuals are being investigated for 48 incidents throughout Northern Virginia that involved impersonating police officers. The arrests resulted from a joint investigation conducted by Fairfax County, Prince William County, Manassas City, Alexandria City, Arlington County, the Town of Herndon and Fairfax City Police Departments.
According to police, Jesus Sossa-Vivancos, Monica Obando and Alain Gary Obando-Encinas approached the victims and identified themselves as police officers investigating crimes. They took the victims’ wallets and rifled through them, supposedly in search of evidence. Instead, they stole cash or ATM cards. These arrests closed eight of the 48 incidents and further charges are anticipated.
On Wednesday, Oct. 6, Jesus Sossa-Vivancos, 36, of Woodbridge, was charged in Fairfax County with false pretense, credit card theft, impersonating a police officer and petit larceny stemming from an incident that occurred on Oct. 3. Sossa-Vivancos has been served with additional warrants by Prince William County and Alexandria City Police Departments.
Monica Obando, 24, of the same address, has been charged by Prince William County with conspiracy to commit larceny and by Alexandria City Police with two counts of false pretense.
Alain Gary Obando-Encinas, 19, also of the same address, has been charged by Manassas City police with conspiracy to commit abduction and conspiracy to commit larceny from a person.
Sossa-Vivancos is currently being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond. Obando is currently being held at the Alexandria Adult Detention Center without bond. Obando-Encinas has been released on a $1,000 bond.
<sh>Witnesses to Crash Sought
<bt>Police are seeking witnesses to a crash that occurred Friday, Nov. 12 at the intersection of Fort Hunt Road and Belle View Boulevard. At 5:35 p.m., a 27-year-old Huntington area man, driving a 1992 Ford Ranger pickup truck, was northbound on Fort Hunt Road approaching the intersection of Belle View Boulevard. At that time, the driver of a 1993 Geo Metro, an 82-year-old Hybla Valley man, attempted to turn left from southbound Fort Hunt Road to eastbound Belle View Boulevard and was struck by the pickup truck. The driver of the Geo Metro was transported to Inova Mount Vernon Hospital with critical injuries. The occupants of the pickup truck were not injured. Neither alcohol nor speed was a factor in the crash. The investigation is continuing. Anyone who was traveling in this area at this time and saw the collision is asked to call Detective Keevill of the Fairfax County Crash Reconstruction Unit at 703-280-0581.
<sh>Security Officers Attacked
<bt> Around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, Springfield Mall security officers confronted two men who were in front of a store in the mall yelling at two other men. The security officers told the men that they were creating a disturbance, and the two men ran from the security officers. As the officers pursued the men outside the mall into the parking area, one suspect drew a handgun from his waistband, and the second suspect drew a long knife. Suspect one fired two shots at the security officers, but did not hit them. The two suspects continued to run west behind Franconia Road and the officers lost sight of them. Police searched the area but were not able to locate the suspects.
One suspect is described as white, 5 feet 9 inches tall and 140 pounds. He had brown hair and was wearing gray shorts, a white shirt and New Balance shoes. The second suspect is described as white, 5 feet 9 inches tall and 140 pounds with brown hair. He was wearing blue jeans. No information on ages is available at this time.
Anyone with information about the above incidents or the suspects involved is asked to call police at 703-691-2131 or Crime Solvers at 1-800-673-2777. Callers may remain anonymous.