Man Dies in Arlington County Detention Facility
Jitesh Patel, 43, died in the early hours of Nov. 11, after he was found unconscious in his cell at the Arlington County Detention Facility, according to the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office.
Arlington County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Nurses began immediate resuscitation efforts after finding Patel, before Fire Department rescue units arrived. He was pronounced dead by Medic 110 shortly after 6 a.m. at the scene.
Patel had been incarcerated in the Arlington County Detention Facility since July 26, 2018 awaiting trial after being charged with Homicide.
His family was informed of his death on the afternoon of Monday, Nov. 11.
Patel was charged with killing his lover’s ex-boyfriend last March, according to police.
Prosecutors contend that Jitesh Patel, 43, of Woodbine, Maryland, broke into 40-year-old John Giandoni’s Arlington townhouse and waited for the victim to get home from work before killing him.
Giandoni had a previous relationship with Patel’s lover and shared a child with her.
Patel was charged with Murder, Burglary While Armed and Possession of a Firearm while in the Commission of a Felony.
At approximately 7:35 p.m. on March 16, police were dispatched to the report of a possible death. Arriving officers located John Giandoni deceased from apparent gunshot wounds inside his residence.
Patel, the suspect, was arrested on July 20, 2018 without incident at his residence.
Cause of death for Patel will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Following standard procedure, the death is being investigated by the Arlington County Police Department. Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective S. King of the Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4243 or at seking@arlingtonva.us. To report information anonymously, contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
Police Arrest Suspect in Boulevard Manor Shooting
The Arlington County Police Department have arrested a Falls Church man for his role in a shooting in the Boulevard Manor neighborhood. Jhonatan Zavaleta Cruz, 21, has been charged with Aggravated Malicious Wounding, Attempted Malicious Wounding, Use of Firearm in the Commission of a Felony and Shooting During the Commission of a Felony. He is being held in the Arlington County Detention Facility on no bond.
At approximately 11:15 p.m. on Nov. 6, police were dispatched to the 6000 block of Wilson Boulevard for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a juvenile male victim suffering from a gunshot wound and immediately began rendering aid. The victim was transported by medics to an area hospital with injuries that are considered non-life-threatening.
The preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect and victim are known to one another and that a verbal dispute preceded the shooting. There is no indication of an ongoing threat to the community.
This remains an active criminal investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective R. Ortiz of the Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-7402 or Rortiz@arlingtonva.us. Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).