Diesel Theft in Lorton
<bt>Four hundred gallons of diesel fuel were stolen, possibly by siphoning, from a construction site in the 9700 block of Gunston Cover Road in the Lorton Area between Sept. 1 and Sept. 6, according to Officer Rich Henry of the Fairfax County Police Office of Public Information. Three additional incidents of gasoline siphoning occurred involving unleaded fuel.
"I'm not used to seeing any siphoning incidents, so to have four in one week is a lot," Henry said. Increasing gas prices are making the fuel a "precious commodity," he said, and reports of people driving away from gas stations without paying for their fuel are increasing in frequency. Anyone with information regarding gas theft is asked to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-8477 or the Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
<sh>Information Sought in Hit-and-Run
<bt>The Fairfax County Police are asking for the public's help in locating a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run crash that seriously injured an Alexandria man. According to police reports, the 30-year-old driver of a 1998 Nissan Frontier truck parked his disabled vehicle on Franconia Road near Governors Pond Circle on Saturday, Sept. 10, around 8:10 p.m. He and his passenger, also of Alexandria, were walking away from the parked vehicle when the driver remembered he had left personal property in the truck. He apparently ran into Franconia Road to return to the truck and was struck by an unknown vehicle. The striking driver did not stop. The victim was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Descriptions of the striking vehicle are sketchy. Police believe it is a Dodge, possibly a truck or van. It has square headlights and damage to the right-front, especially the headlight.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477 or Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
<sh>Candidates Night, Sept. 20
<bt>The Springfield Civic Association presents its 52nd Annual Candidates Night on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m., at Crestwood Elementary School in Springfield. Del. Vivian Watts (D-39) and her opponent, Michael Meunier (R) have been invited to attend, as well as gubernatorial candidates Tim Kaine (D) and Jerry Kilgore (R). Crestwood Elementary's new principal Dr. Judith Thompson, and assistant principal Kathleen McDonald will also be in attendance. At 7 p.m., there will be a coffee, tea and dessert reception, and the candidate program begins at 7:30 p.m. Membership is available to all, and is $15 per year. Child care and translation are available upon request. Call 703-569-7120.
<sh>Correction
<bt>In the Sept. 8 edition of the Springfield Connection, the article "Candidate Aims to 'Scooter' to Victory" should have noted that only Michael Meunier's motorized scooter is bright red and emblazoned with the American flag. His campaign aides' scooters are not similarly marked.
<sh>Checkpoint Results
<bt>Fairfax County Police officers from the West Springfield District Station conducted a sobriety checkpoint from Friday, Sept. 9, at 10 p.m. to Saturday, Sept. 10, at 1 a.m. All motorists were stopped, and the drivers were checked to assure their abilities to drive had not been impaired by alcohol or drugs. Approximately 510 cars passed through the checkpoint conducted on Burke Centre Parkway between Oak Leather Drive and Waters Edge Landing Lane. No motorists were arrested for driving while intoxicated however six individuals were cited for other offenses.
<sh>Computer, Bicycling Recycling Day
<bt>Fairfax County Public Schools, the Fairfax County Government and Service Source are teaming up to host a Computer and Bicycle Recycling Day on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Edison High School, 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria. All computer equipment, repairable and better condition bicycles will be accepted. To defray costs, residents are requested to provide a $10 donation with each monitor or bicycle brought to the event. Receipts for tax purposes will be provided. Call 703-324-5230.
<sh>Explorers Information Session
<bt>The Fairfax County Law Enforcement Explorer Post hosts its annual recruitment and informational meeting on Monday, Sept. 26, from 7-9 p.m., at Police Headquarters, 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax.
The Fairfax County Law Enforcement Explorer Post 1742 is open to Fairfax County's young adults ages 14-20. The program is administered by Fairfax County Police as a service to the residents of Fairfax County. Members receive law enforcement training, citizenship education and gain experience in leadership roles.
Many active Fairfax County Police Officers were once Explorer Scouts, while many former Explorers have gone on to various career fields building upon skills provided through the Explorer program. Call 703-246-4311.
<sh>NVCC Accepts Displaced Students
<bt>Northern Virginia Community College is opening its doors to displaced students from the Gulf Coast states. Anyone enrolled at an institution of higher education for the fall 2005 term whose courses were interrupted by the hurricane are eligible for in-state tuition rates at the college.
In addition, NVCC offers faculty, staff, students and community members many other opportunities to assist, including job training for displaced workers and opportunities to volunteer. Visit www.nvcc.org.
<sh>Auxiliary Officers Sought
<bt>Fairfax County Police has had an established Auxiliary Police Officer (APO) program since 1983, and has a current strength of approximately 85 volunteers. The next Auxiliary Police Academy session is being planned for early 2006. APOs are trained to perform a variety of operational support and administrative duties, which include patrol, traffic control, security of prisoners, communications, desk assignments, fingerprinting, crime prevention and special events. Auxiliary officers undergo almost as much training as regular police officers, but because they offer their services on a volunteer basis, they provide a considerable savings to county taxpayers while allowing patrol officers to handle assignments that only they can perform. The police department provides uniforms, equipment and insurance. Auxiliary officers must perform an average of 24 hours of volunteer service a month to maintain their status in the unit.
To be considered, applicants must live in Northern Virginia and be at least 21 years of age. Applicants must be in good health and without a criminal record or history of drug use, and not be an applicant for police officer in any jurisdiction. To apply, obtain a brochure or additional information about the Fairfax County Auxiliary Police Unit, contact 2nd Lt. Ed O'Carroll at 703-280-0701 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ps/police/Volunteers.htm.