Friday, May 17, 2013
More charges could be coming for trio that allegedly hit homes across Vienna, McLean, Falls Church this month.
Three people accused of launching a burglary spree across Vienna and two other jurisdictions have been linked to at least six reported robberies in town, police said Thursday — three of them in the span of just more than 10 hours. A day after Craig Hopta, 29, Michael Lewis, 29 and Diana Seaborn, 34, all of Maryland, were arrested by Fairfax County police on burglary and larceny charges, among others, Vienna Police said they believe the trio is responsible for also taking items from half a dozen Vienna homes. More charges could be coming as Fairfax County, Vienna and Falls Church police continue their investigation. Vienna Police said the suspects allegedly robbed the following locations (see locations in the map above): The suspects were …
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Three people charged for allegedly taking jewelery, electronics from homes across McLean, Vienna, Falls Church.
Fairfax County police have arrested three people in connection with a series of burglaries that hit homes across three jurisdictions this month — and more charges could be coming, police said Wednesday. Craig Hopta, 29, Michael Lewis, 29 and Diana Seaborn, 34, all of Maryland, were arrested this week and charged with four counts of burglary, two counts of grand larceny, two counts of larceny for resale, and possession of burglarious tools. The suspects are connected to a string of burglaries in McLean, Vienna and Falls Church, police said. Aside from the 10 burglaries that occurred in six hours May 4 in McLean, police have not commented on how many homes in total were involved in the spree. After the May 4 burglaries, officers had been …
Monday, May 13, 2013
The latest incidents reported to the Town of Vienna Police Department
Petit Larceny An employee at the Sunoco gas station reported that a customer drove off without paying for their fuel. The incident was reported at 1:35 p.m. on May 2 on 102 Maple Ave. W. Solicitor Someone soliciting for driveway repair work started the work before the resident consented, prompting the resident to call police. The incident took place at 4:30 p.m. on May 8 on the 400 block of Windover Avenue, according to police. The solicitor left the area before police arrived. Suspicious Event A woman conducting a survey prompted a call to police. A resident reported that his daughter had been asked to take a survey twice. The daughter agreed, but stopped taking the survey when she thought it may have been a scam, according to police…
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Vienna Police Department is seeking information on incidents at two businesses along Route 123.
The Vienna Police Department is investigating burglaries that occurred last week along Maple Avenue. Around 10:15 p.m. last Monday, a business owner reported hearing a loud noise at a business nearby. When he looked across the street, he saw two men exiting Andy's Barber Shop from the front window. When the two men saw him, they fled, the owner reported. After police responded to the scene at 431 Maple Ave W, they found the shop adjacent to the barber ship, Central Nails, had also been burglarized. It's not clear exactly what was taken, or how much the items were valued. Police continue to investigate the case. Residents who have information should contact MPO Gary Lose at glose@viennava.gov or 703-255-6396.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
It's time for this week's roundup of the region's wackiest news.
Editor's Note: Patch has 31 sites in Virginia and D.C., and not a day goes by that something weird isn't happening in at least one of them. Here's a look back at some weird goings on over the past week. Weird Virginia/DC usually runs on Patch sites every Saturday. Everyone knows that Northern Virginia and DC traffic is notoriously bad. Add a sinkhole to the mix, and you've got problems. That's what happened in Reston this week when motorists on Lawyers Road near Steeplechase were detoured, as a 10-foot sinkhole showed itself. Fairfax Water and road crews patched the spot by the evening rush hour, and thankfully no one was injured by the giant hole in the road. We realize everybody hates traffic, but somebody out there also hates Mother's …
Friday, May 10, 2013
A 17-year-old boy allegedly crashed a car Tuesday on Marshall Road before fleeing in Vienna, prompting a manhunt through local backyards.
A teen is facing several charges after fleeing from Virginia State Police this week in a stolen car, leading them on a wild chase that ended in a Vienna backyard. The 17-year-old boy has been charged by state police with possession of a stolen vehicle and one felony count of eluding police, spokeswoman Corrine Geller told Patch. He faces an additional robbery charge in connection with the alleged stolen vehicle. Read: Virginia State Police Chase Ends in Vienna According to police, the teen moved to Roanoke from Washington, D.C. in December 2012, and "was a resident of a facility that provides treatment for troubled adolescent males." The teen could still face additional charges for crimes in the Roanoke area; police are still investigating…
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
UPDATED: Suspect in custody after bailout Tuesday afternoon.
Updated 7:42 p.m. (see below) Original: A man is in custody after apparently leading Virginia State Police on a chase into Vienna. Vienna Police Department spokesman Officer Gary Lose said state police contacted the department around 6 p.m. to help set up a perimeter as they searched for a suspect from an earlier incident. It's not clear where or when the state police pursuit began. Patch is awaiting a call back from Virginia State Police. A number of residents wrote to Patch saying roads were shut down in the area of Cottage, Hillcrest and Kingsley. "We saw some doors open and officers talking to residents. Lots of guns of various sizes were drawn and the dogs were out, too," reader Jeannie Mirani wrote on Facebook. Twitter user …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
With prom and graduation fast approaching, Fairfax County officials launch campaign to raise awareness of what legal consequences await parents who let kids drink on their watch.
With high school proms and graduations right around the corner, Fairfax County has a message for parents: if you host parties and give teenagers alcohol, you will be prosecuted. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, in partnership with the Fairfax County School Board, proclaimed May 2013 Parents Who Host, Lose the Most month this week. Parents Who Host, Lose the Most is a campaign to raise public awareness for parents and other adults about the legal consequences of providing alcohol to minors. For the seventh year in a row, Fairfax County officials are taking part. Supervisor Jeff McKay stressed the importance of the campaign and its message. Prom and graduation should be a joyous time, but underage drinking can too often lead to …
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
One driver being treated at local hospital Tuesday after crash in southwest Vienna; roads should be reopened before 5 p.m.
Update 4:48 p.m.: Hillcrest Drive is now reopened, Officer Gary Lose said. Original: One person is being treated at a local hospital after a two-car crash Tuesday in southwest Vienna. Patch readers reported hearing and seeing police and fire activity in the area just before 4 p.m. Tuesday. Vienna Police Department spokesman Officer Gary Lose said two cars collided in the area of Hillcrest Drive and Tapawingo Road SW. One person is being taken to an area hospital for treatment, apparently for an arm injury, Lose said. Both cars are being towed, he said. Tapawingo Road is open while cars are using only one lane on Hillcrest Drive SW, Lose said. All roads should be reopened before 5 p.m. Tuesday, Lose said. The cause of the crash, and whether…
Woman reported incident during mid-day run last week.
A man allegedly exposed himself to a jogger last Wednesday while waiting in his vehicle at a traffic light, Vienna police say. A woman reported to police she was jogging around 12:25 p.m. April 24 near the intersection of Nutley Street and Courthouse Road SW when a dark blue Volkswagen pulled up next to her. The car stopped at the traffic light. The woman reported looking over at the driver and discovering he was exposing himself. The driver of the vehicle left the area before officers arrived. The jogger said the vehicle did not appear to be displaying a rear license plate. In December, officers fielded a similar call, when a man reported the driver of a vehicle traveling in front of him exposed himself. Anyone with information on this …
John Smith1
10:17 am on Friday, May 17, 2013
A big "Thank You" and congratulations to law enforcement for apprehending this trio before more thefts occurred and before anyone was injured. From an earlier report, it sounds as though an observant citizen was crucial in the apprehension. If so, thanks to this citizen, too, for "seeing something and saying something." Now, let's observe how our system of justice deals with these criminals. Will… more ›