<sh>Tysons Shoplifters Flee From Police
<bt>On Thursday, Dec. 1, two officers assigned to the McLean District Station's Christmas Anti-Theft (CAT) Team were involved in a traffic stop, an officer-involved shooting and a pursuit. It began at about 6:45 p.m. on Thursday evening in Tysons Corner Center. Fairfax County Police said that the two officers began following three females and one male suspected of shoplifting. The officers then followed the suspects as they drove out of the shopping center property, and pulled them over near the intersection of Gallows Road and Leesburg Pike. According to police, there was a confrontation during the traffic stop that ended with gunshots being fired.
"After being stopped, the driver of the suspect car decided to flee," said Officer Patrick Lucas, a public information officer with Fairfax County Police.
The suspect drove in the direction of an officer standing on the sidewalk, nearly striking him, and two officers then fired several rounds at the car. The suspect then drove up the curb, onto the sidewalk and then through the parking lot of a bank, police said. The car fled on Leesburg Pike and officers pursued.
Neither officer was shot, but both sustained minor injuries. The pursuit ended a short time later in Montgomery County, Maryland, where two of the subjects were taken into custody, and a third was transported to MedStar with a gunshot wound.
"The suspects were taken into custody by Montgomery County Police," said Lucas.
Montgomery County Police currently have two females in custody — 19-year-old Shemika D. Mason of Woodbine Avenue in Baltimore, Md., and 18-year-old Tameka S. Bryant of 11105 Slalom Lane in Columbia, Md. Both have been charged with grand larceny by Fairfax County Police and are being held on fugitive warrants by Montgomery County. 22-year-old Philip Luther Moore, the driver of the car, has been charged with attempted malicious wounding and is currently receiving medical treatment for his injuries.
"The third female has not yet been apprehended," said Lucas.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, or Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
<sh>Task Force Meeting
<bt>A Task Force meeting will be held at Lake Anne Elementary School, 11510 North Shore Dr., Reston starting at 7 p.m. This meeting will review the planning process of Hunter Mill Road. For information call Lindsay Mason at 703-324-1379 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/huntermill.
<sh>Redeemer Lutheran Church Scandinavian Christmas
<bt>On Saturday, Dec. 10, from 1-6 p.m., the American Scandinavian Association will hold a Scandinavian Christmas celebration at Redeemer Lutheran Church, located at 1545 Chain Bridge Road. This year's celebration will feature a St. Lucia pageant, a Scandinavian bazaar, a visit from Santa Claus, Kalevala singers, Nordic dancers and a children's dance group and a grand raffle. Entrance fees are $6 for adults, $3 for ages 6-12, $1 for ages 2-6, free for under 2, and $17 maximum for one family.
<sh>Botanic Gardens Tour
<bt>The Great Falls Woman's Club is planning a docent-led tour on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at the U.S. Botanic Gardens in Washington, D.C. of "Seasons Greetings from the National Mall." This exhibit includes model trains, poinsettias and a replica of the Mall stretching from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, all fashioned from natural materials. The group will meet at 9 a.m. in the CVS side lot in Great Falls. Call Carol at 703-759-3336. All are welcome.
<sh>Environment Public Hearing
<bt>The Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) will hold a public hearing on the environment on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Auditorium of the Fairfax County Government Center, located at 12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax. EQAC is an advisory group that has been appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to advise the Board on environmental matters. The Council is comprised of one citizen representative from each Magisterial District, four at-large members and one student representative. Each year, EQAC holds a public hearing to obtain citizen input on issues of environmental concern. The public is encouraged to attend and share views on the state of the environment, and to identify any environmental issues applicable to Fairfax County. Environmental issues considered by EQAC include water quality, air quality, noise, hazardous materials, solid waste, stream valley protection, wildlife management, light pollution, visual pollution, and the use and preservation of ecological resources. The Council welcomes written and verbal testimony. To be placed on the speakers list, or for additional information, call the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-324-1380 (TTY 711 – Virginia Relay), or send an e-mail message to EQAC@fairfaxcounty.gov.
<sh>Hunter Mill District winter coat closet open for donations
<bt>The Coat Closet is open to help area residents keep warm and who might not otherwise be able to afford a winter coat. Since the closet opened on Nov. 17, close to 700 coats have been given out and more are needed. The Coat Closet, 12000 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston, is open on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.; Thursdays from 5-8 p.m.; and Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Donations of new and gently used (good condition and dry-cleaned) winter coats and jackets for children and adults may be dropped off on weekdays from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Volunteers are also needed to help clients select coats, greet donors and sort donations. For further information contact Martin Taylor at 703-478-0283.