Latest Crime in Vienna: Sleeping Diner, IRS Scams, Open Doors and More

Here are some of the recent crimes and incidents in Vienna, as reported by the Vienna Police Department. Where an arrest is mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

Assault: At 9:25 p.m. April 10, a citizen reported a fight in progress in the 800 block of Maple Avenue NE. PFC Lyons responded and located two individuals in a parking lot. The individuals informed PFC Lyons they had agreed to give an intoxicated friend a ride home when the friend became disorderly, broke a rear passenger window of a vehicle and assaulted them. After speaking with the intoxicated passenger, PFC Lyons arrested him for assault. While en route to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, the man became disorderly again, striking his head against the protective partition and the side window of the police cruiser. The man was charged with assault and battery twice, drunk in public and destruction of property.

IRS Scam I: A resident reported that during the day April 11, he received a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS. The caller stated there had been an arrest warrant issued for the resident for money laundering and tax liabilities.  The caller asked the resident to provide his Social Security Number and date of birth. When the resident refused, the caller hung up. The resident was informed the call had been a scam. The case is being investigated. (Note: Recently there have been reports of callers claiming to be employees of the IRS. The callers claim the resident has either committed tax fraud or had improperly filed previous tax returns. The caller informs the resident to send a Western Union payment or purchase a prepaid debit card, for payment, or the resident will be arrested.  This type of call is a scam. Never send a payment unless you have verified the validity of the caller.)  

Burglary: A resident of the 100 Block Dogwood Street SW reported on April 12 that  upon her return home from a meeting she discovered her dog was missing. The resident stated after noticing the dog missing she contacted her ex-husband who informed her the dog had somehow found its way to his home. The resident also stated her ex-husband had been previously trespassed from her property and there was also a no contact order in place. There were no signs of forced entry. The case is being investigated.

Petit Larceny: At 11:01 a.m. April 14 an employee of a store in the 200 block of Maple Avenue West reported that he went into the restroom and discovered packing material and an empty HDTV box in one of the stalls. The employee stated there had been a customer in the store walking around and acting suspicious just prior to him going into the restroom. This case is being investigated.

Drunk in Public: At 8:23 p.m. April 14, Sgt. Elias was on patrol in the 500 block of Maple Avenue West when he observed an individual staggering as he walked down the street. Sgt. Elias approached the individual and determined he was extremely intoxicated and as a result of his intoxicated state he arrested the man. The man was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where he was to be held until he was sober.

Credit Card Fraud: An employee of a store in the 200 block of Maple Avenue East on April 15 said he received a telephone call from his bank alerting him to a possible fraudulent charge on a business credit card. The employee informed the bank the charge was made without his knowledge. This case is being investigated.

Suspicious Event: A man reported shortly after midnight April 15 that his garage door opened unexpectedly and without his assistance. He also stated there had been suspicious looking vehicles parking in front of and across the street from his house for the past several months. He requested extra patrols to be conducted in his neighborhood. The man lived on the 300 block of Kingsley Road SW. 

Trespassing: An employee of a business in the 100 block of Maple Avenue NE reported at 1:13 p.m. April 15 that a customer entered the Vienna Inn and after eating he fell asleep at his table. She also stated that prior to falling asleep the individual acted in a way that made her feel uncomfortable. MPO Seitz responded and at the request of the employee informed the customer he was no longer welcome in the restaurant and was not to return. The customer agreed to comply with the employee’s request

Assault: An employee of a credit union in the 800 block of Follin Lane SE reported that a customer had come into the building and began arguing with her. She stated she moved the customer into her office to try and resolve the issue without causing a further disturbance however the customer continued to argue and became disorderly, leaving her no choice but to notify security. As the security officers were attempting to escort the customer from the building the customer pushed one of the officers. The employees were informed of the warrant process should they wish to pursue charges.

Open Door: An alarm company reported at 12:59 p.m. April 16 that a residential alarm had been activated in the 200 block of Center Street N.  Officer Herrera responded and located an open door to the rear of the residence. Officers Herrera and Digan searched the residence and determined nothing appeared to be out of place. Information was left for the homeowner informing them of the incident and the officers secured the residence.

IRS Scam II: A resident reported at 2:42 p.m. April 16 that he received a telephone call from an individual claiming to be employed by the IRS. The caller stated the resident owed money, due to a miscalculation on his past income taxes, and if he did not send an undisclosed amount of money he would be arrested.  Officer Herrera responded and informed the resident that the caller had attempted to scam him.

Driving While Intoxicated: PFC Vazquez was on patrol at 1:12 a.m. April 17 when he observed the driver of a vehicle commit several traffic offences. As a result of those offences he conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Nutley Street at Virginia Center Boulevard SW. Upon his interaction with the driver he detected the signs of possible impairment. After failing to complete a series of field sobriety tests PFC Vazquez arrested the driver and later charged the driver with driving while intoxicated. 

Open Door: An alarm company reported at 8:43 a.m. on April 17 that a residential alarm had been activated in the 1200 block of Drake Street SW. Officer Digan responded and located an unsecured door. He along with MPO Simon searched the residence and determined nothing appeared to be out of place. Information was left for the homeowner informing them of the incident and the officer secured the residence.