Local Man Indicted for Rape
<bt>A Fairfax County grand jury on Monday indicted a Centreville man on two charges of carnal knowledge of a minor — also known as statutory rape. He is Reginald Andre Wright, 31, of 14845 Maidstone Court in the London Towne community. The alleged victims are both 13-year-old girls; one lives in Centreville and one lives in Lorton.
According to Fairfax County police, the crimes occurred Jan. 20 and Jan. 29 — both in Centreville homes. Police say the first one took place in the home of the alleged victim. The second incident involved the Lorton girl, who was spending the night at a Centreville friend's home. While she was there, say police, Wright also visited the home overnight.
Police charged Wright on Feb. 2 and again on Feb. 10. Now that he's been indicted, he's scheduled to have a jury trial, April 26, in Circuit Court. If convicted, he could be sentenced to a possible maximum of 20 years in prison total — 10 years for each offense.
<sh>Man Charged in Teen's Assault
<bt>Fairfax County police have charged a man employed as a George Mason University police officer with sexually assaulting a 17-year-old Clifton boy. Charged with sexual battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor was Eric Crushshon, 37, of 1204 Kings Crest Drive in Stafford County.
Police say that on March 31, around 4:30 p.m., he allegedly entered a bathroom in Fair Oaks mall, approached the teen and sexually assaulted him. Last Friday, April 15, Henrico County police arrested Crushshon on Fairfax County warrants. After being taken to the Adult Detention Center, he was released on $2,000 bond.
<hd>Man Pleads Guilty to Hecht's Shoplifting
<bt>An Arlington man pleaded guilty last week to shoplifting items from the Fair Oaks Hecht's. He is Juan C. Claros, 47, of 1711 S. Taylor St. The offense occurred Sept. 14, 2004, in the store in Fair Oaks Mall.
On Feb. 22 in Fairfax County General District Court, Jody Godfrey, a loss-prevention officer for the Hecht Co., testified that Claros was observed stealing a watch and two pair of jeans. He was then apprehended outside the store.
Police charged Claros, an unemployed construction worker, with petit larceny — third or subsequent offense. And in court, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Katie Swart presented evidence of his two prior convictions.
The grand jury indicted him on March 21. He then pleaded guilty last Tuesday, April 12, in Circuit Court. Before accepting his plea, Judge Michael McWeeny made sure that Claros was entering his plea, freely and voluntarily, and because he was, indeed, guilty. He then set Claros' sentencing for June 3.
<sh>Centreville Community Coalition
<bt>The next meeting of the Centreville Community Coalition will be Friday, April 22, at 10 a.m. at Centre Ridge Elementary. Call Debbie Martin at 703-802-9454.
<sh>Children's Car-Seat Inspections
<bt>Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child car-seat inspections, Saturday, April 23, from 8 a.m.-noon, and Thursday, April 28, from 5-9 p.m., to make sure seats are properly installed and are the correct seats for children's ages and weights. No appointment is necessary; just come to the Sully District Station at 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. For additional inspection times, call 703-280-0559.
<sh>Local Senators, Delegates at Sully District Council Meeting
<bt>The Sully District Council of Citizens Associations will host a public meeting of local legislators who represent Sully District. It will be held Wednesday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. The public is welcome to attend and ask them questions.
Legislators participating will be Dels. Tim Hugo (R-40th), Gary Reese (R-67th), Steve Shannon (D-35th) and Tom Rust (R-86th), and Sens. Ken Cuccinelli (R-37th) and Jeannemarie Devolites Davis (R-34th). They'll discuss the 2004-05 Virginia Legislative Session and how specific actions will affect Sully.
<sh>WFCCA Land-Use Elections
<bt>Jim Katcham of Centre Ridge has been re-elected chairman of the West Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA) Land-Use Committee. Elections were held Monday night, and also re-elected to the land-use committee were: Carol Hawn, Judy Heisinger, Mary Coyle, Georgette Kohler, Russ Wanek, Kathleen Hill, Ted Troscianecki and Chris Terpak-Malm. New members joining them on the land-use committee were Dorothy Steranka of Willoughby's Ridge and Dawn Williams of Pleasant Valley.
Also elected to head WFCCA committees were: Mark McConn, education; Russ Wanek, environment; Chris Terpak-Malm, parks and recreation; Judy Heisinger, transportation; and Kathleen Hill, social services and outreach.
<sh>Park Authority to Meet
<bt>The next meeting of the Fairfax County Park Authority is Wednesday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 900, in Fairfax. Call Judy Pedersen at 703-324-8662.
<sh>Sully Police Station To Hold Open House
<bt>The Sully District Police Station will hold an open house for the whole family, Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m.– 2 p.m., at 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. Kids will enjoy a fun-filled day of moonbounces and slides, face painting, popcorn, cotton candy, sno cones, police cruisers and motorcycles, K-9 dogs, child fingerprinting and more.
Parking will be available across Westfields Boulevard at Texas Roadhouse restaurant, the Goddard School and also at Westfield High. In addition, shuttle buses will ferry people between the high school and police station.
<sh>Blood Donations are Sought
<bt>The Inova Blood Donor Center in the Centremed I Building on Route 29 in Centreville (across from the Centreville Multiplex Cinemas) is in urgent need of blood donations — especially O positive or negative, as well as A and B. They're accepted Tuesday-Friday, noon-8 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. For an appointment to give blood, call 703-322-1970, or drop in at your own convenience.