A 55-year-old Reston man shoplifted a half-dozen times from the same grocery store in Loudoun County since March, police say.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office says Johnny E. Conner was caught at about 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Wegmans store in Sterling’s Dulles 28 shopping center. They report Conner was found by a deputy to have concealed items in a bag and attempt to leave without paying for them.
Police say they believe Conner did the same thing at the store on March 1, March 8, March 9, March 11 and April 27.
Conner was charged with six counts of grand larceny and “additional charges are likely,” police say. He is being held at Loudoun County Adult Detention Center with no bond.
Starting next week, residents of each of Reston’s districts will have the opportunity to meet with their Reston Association Board of Directors representatives to discuss issues.
RA’s district meetings are a chance for residents to “provide feedback and hear updates on a variety of district and community-related topics,” according to the Association’s website. Each meeting is facilitated by the Community Engagement Advisory Committee.
The meeting schedule is as follows:
- South Lakes District (Julie Bitzer): Wednesday, May 17 at Terraset Elementary School (11411 Ridge Heights Road)
- Hunters Woods/Dogwood District (Victoria White): Wednesday, May 24 at Southgate Community Center (12125 Pinecrest Road)
- North Point District (John Mooney): Tuesday, May 30 at Armstrong Elementary School (11900 Lake Newport Road)
- Lake Anne/Tall Oaks District (Sherri Hebert): Wednesday, June 7 at Reston Community Center’s Jo Ann Rose Gallery (1609A Washington Plaza)
Each meeting is scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m.
On Fridays, we take a moment to thank our advertisers and sponsors:
Reston Station, Summerbration will offer something to watch, listen to, taste and enjoy all summer long.
Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, the business community for the vibrant region.
BLVD, Comstock’s apartments at Reston Station.
AKG Design Studio, boutique design firm specializing in kitchen, bathroom designs and cabinetry sales.
Berry & Berry, PLLC, Reston law firm specializing in federal employment, retirement, labor union, and security clearance matters.
Reston Real Estate, Eve Thompson of Long & Foster Real Estate specializes in Reston homes.
Reston Carpet Cleaning, local cleaning service.
Becky’s Pet Care, offering friendly pet services in Northern Virginia.
Reston Community Center, serving Reston’s recreational and cultural needs.
MakeOffices, shared work spaces with five area locations, including Reston.
Boofie O’Gorman, Top Producer Realtor at Long & Foster Reston.
Goldfish Swim School, specializing in children’s swim lessons year-round.
Small Change Consignment, serving Reston’s kids for more than 30 years.
A Cleaning Service, professional residential and commercial cleaning.
Reston Montessori, private co-educational school for children ages 3 months to sixth grade.
Kalypso’s Sports Tavern, providing great food and drink at Lake Anne Plaza.
Bright Horizons at Commerce Metro Center, new child care facility in Reston.
Reston Children’s Center, providing care, preschool and private education and summer camp enrichment.
Ryan Homes — Westmoore, Loudoun County’s hottest new Metro community in the heart of Ashburn.
Knutson Brambleton, Loudoun County urban townhomes with yards in the sky.
Knutson Crescent Place, urban townhomes in Leesburg — Loudoun’s authentic town center since 1758.
DC Bike Ride, Washington’s closed-road and car-free 20-mile scenic bike ride, coming May 14.
Lofts at Village Walk, urban townhome condominium designs at The Village at Leesburg.
Towns of Lansdowne Square, a collection of 23 luxury urban townhomes in downtown Lansdowne.
Tall Oaks Assisted Living, assisted living, memory care and more senior care services.
UPDATE: Mirella Anaya Aguilar was reported by Takoma Park Police to have been found safe May 12. Mariissa Pineda was “cooperative and very helpful to police” in helping to locate the girl, they say.
@TakomaParkPD UPDATE: Missing 13 Year Old Found Safe pic.twitter.com/OTKHKvXgKv
— Takoma Park Police (@TakomaParkPD) May 12, 2017
—
UPDATE to Missing 13 year old Mirella Anaya Aguilar pic.twitter.com/Kq4hRYLT3a
— Takoma Park Police (@TakomaParkPD) May 11, 2017
Police in Takoma Park, Maryland, say a missing 13-year-old girl may be in the Reston area.
Mirella Anaya Aguilar, 13, was last seen by her mother in the Montgomery County city on May 2. The girl is 5 foot 3 inches tall, 140 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair. She is Hispanic, with a light complexion.
In an update to the case released Thursday afternoon, TPPD says their investigation shows the girl may be in the company of a 20-year-old, Mariissa Pineda, in the Reston area. Pineda and the girl are believed to have been frequenting the Tysons Corner Center and using the Metro from Tysons.
The Fairfax County Police Department is assisting in the investigation.
Anyone who has seen either Pineda or the 13-year-old is asked to contact Takoma Park Police at 301-270-1100, referring to Case No. 170505618.
‘BrouHaHa’ Returns to Reston — For one night only, Happenstance Theater Company will bring the funny and poignant show “BrouHaha” back to CenterStage at the Reston Community Center (2310 Colts Neck Road). RCC staff describe the show as “a funny and poetic escapade inspired by images of refugees fleeing on foot, Edwardian workers, cinematic treasures like ‘La Strada’ and ‘The Seventh Seal,’ and the existential comedy of Samuel Beckett.” The curtain rises at 8 p.m. on Wednesday. [Reston Community Center]
Police: Herndon Shoplifter Fights Officer — Police say a 48-year-old Fairfax County woman started a physical fight with the officer who tried to detain her when she was caught trying to steal merchandise from a Kohl’s department store in Herndon on Tuesday. The incident earned her a trip to jail, and charges of grand larceny and resisting arrest. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Reston Chorale Plans 50th-Anniversary Retrospective — In celebration of the group’s 50th anniversary, the Reston Chorale will present a special concert entitled “A Season to Remember” this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School (11400 South Lakes Drive). Musical numbers will include past favorites as well as works composed especially for The Reston Chorale. Alumni and friends of the group are invited to bring sheet music and join in for Handel’s “Messiah.” Adult tickets range from $20-$30. Youth under 17 and active military are free, but need to reserve tickets. [Reston Chorale]
Reston’s Langston Hughes Middle School (11401 Ridge Heights Road) is getting ready to take the stage for opening night of its production of the musical “Willy Wonka Jr.” on Thursday.
“Magic and mystery abound as Charlie Bucket experiences a delicious adventure on his golden-ticket tour of Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory,” organizers say.
A whopping 87 students make up the cast and crew of the production, based on the classic Roald Dahl novel, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Performances are $10 and will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 11-13. A matinee will also be offered at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 13. Tickets can be purchased at the school during lunch hour or at the door.
The long list of students, parents and staff involved with the show include:
DIRECTOR: Cheryl Dewenter
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Sarah Milhoan
CHOREOGRAPHER: Grace Yakobisin
Cast: Mikhail Goldenberg, Griffin van Hilst, Noah Rice, Avi Holzman, Matthew Guerber, Violet Sather, Chase Thompson, Hannah Carter, Keaton Lazar, Ireland DiBacco, Sophia Feldman, Lindsay Kaine, Audrey Webb, Luke Miller, Mia Milosevic, Leah Blum, Crystal Uehara, Eddie Schoenborn, Michael Constant, Sami Burgess, Manmeet Singh, Karina Yakubisin, Sophia Young, Rebecca Yakobson, Xela Jones, Gretel Brown, Megan Luczko, Rita Ajit, Isabella Piazza, Maya Berry, Katie Falcone, Claire Callaway, Anissa Benjalloun, Laura Echeverri, Olivia Purvis, Evie Errett, Nora Thomas, Mikayla Kirr, Ana Ortiz, Claire Wilson-Black, Amy McGowan, Katia Vivanco, Caroline Dana, Iris Hughes, Adam Johnson, Robert Long, Erin Sanchez, Parker Tremaine, Alexis Jefferyes, Zea Nims, Jaelyn Gilmore
Crew: Thalia Tran, Audrey Moore, Katherine Simpson, Virag Murphy, Alaina Cordts, Angel Brito, Lily Mutzig, Moriah Smith, Hannah McLachlin, Mina Tunley, Gabriella Dettra, Jillian Schmid, Anna Sepulveda, Shannon Gallagher, Raquel Davis, Tyler Cachine, Alexander Parish, Michael Panatier, Elizabeth Beausoleil, Nicole Cheban, Christine Morris, Kendra Griessel, Harley Newman, Gwyneth Wagner, Mishal Khattak, Alexandra Perez, Tammy Guidry, Rhea Braganza, Emily Marik, Astrid Pena, Maxine Prudhomme, Erica Strauss, Jenna Klein, Jasmine Reed, Marina Jansen, Chloe Baker, Ethan Boswell
(Updated at 2:15 p.m.) A 10-year-old Reston child was rushed by helicopter to Children’s Hospital Tuesday evening with burns over 30 percent of the body following an accident with boiling water, according to fire and police officials.
First-responders from Fairfax County Police and Fire and Rescue rushed to the scene of the incident around 6 p.m. Tuesday, which took place in the child’s home in the 11800 block of Abercorn Court.
Reports indicate the child received second- and third-degree burns to the face, neck, back and feet from boiling water. A fire department spokesperson said the child accidentally tipped over a pot of boiling water on the stove. Authorities described what happened as an accident and said no criminal charges would be filed.
A medevac helicopter landed nearby at Hunters Woods Elementary School to transport the child to Children’s Hospital for treatment.
The Capital Bikeshare’s presence in Reston increased this week with the opening of another location.
Capital Bikeshare celebrated the opening of a new station at Reston Parkway and Spectrum Drive by tweeting a photo and thanking hard-working staff for their work in installing it.
The team is on a roll with another 15 dock station now in place! Check it out at Reston Pkwy and Spectrum Drive. #bikeVA pic.twitter.com/pC3QDNiZfR
— Capital Bikeshare (@bikeshare) May 9, 2017
The new location was stocked with eight available bikes, plus seven empty slots for returning bikes.
Since its debut in October, Capital Bikeshare has been thriving in Reston. Representatives have reported that usership has been enjoying big numbers since the first nine stations opened. Since then, three more were immediately approved, and just in March, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation approved another 10 locations with funding from a TAP grant (Transportation Alternatives Program).
Studies have shown that Reston users have not only been using the bikeshare to travel to and from the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station and local commercial areas, but also to take many “longer, more recreational rides.”
Residents interested in having a Bikeshare station installed in their neighborhood can email their request to [email protected] or use the interactive map at www.cabistations.com.
Image courtesy of Capital Bikeshare via Twitter
Woman in Viral Trader Joe’s Video Speaks to Local TV Station — Fox5 DC said Tuesday that a woman claiming to be the one in a viral video making strong anti-Muslim statements to an American-born Muslim woman at the Reston Trader Joe’s had called the station to discuss the incident. Though the woman declined to give her name or to be recorded, the reporter who spoke with the caller said the woman said she has been “very upset” since the video came out, and that her side of the conversation had been “taken out of context.” The woman reportedly said that a portion of the conversation that took place before filming began was left out, and that the Muslim woman she was speaking to had actually started the conversation by making strong statements against the U.S. The woman said she and her family have been seeking legal counsel because they have received threats since the video was posted online. [Fox 5]
All High Schools in Fairfax County Make List of Country’s Best — All high schools in the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) District made the Washington Post’s 2017 list of the top high schools in the U.S. Criteria included how rigorous and demanding the school’s curriculum is, along with how well the schools challenge the average student. Rankings were determined by the number of college-level tests given to students compared with the number of graduates each year. Oakton High ranked the highest among all of the FCPS high schools, coming in at No. 168 out of 2,300 schools. Reston’s South Lakes High ranked No. 702, and nearby Herndon High ranked No. 422. [Washington Post]
Officials Say Metro’s Silver Line Extension is Halfway Complete — Loudoun County officials said this week that Phase 2 of construction of the Silver Line extension is now 50-percent complete. The extension will add six more stations to the Silver Line – three of which will be located in Fairfax County, and three in Loudoun, including stations at Dulles Airport, at Loudoun Gateway/Route 606, and in Ashburn. The extension will bring the Silver Line to a total of 23.1 miles. Loudoun Supervisors reportedly awarded the final $51,000 for Phase 2 to S.B. Ballard Construction Company last week to design and build the final Metro parking structures for the extension. [Loudoun Times-Mirror]
Some of Reston’s most beautiful private gardens will be on display for one day only when the Reston Chorale’s “Gardens of Note” tour kicks off on June 3.
The event benefits the Reston Chorale.
Five gardens spread out over three Reston neighborhoods will be part of the tour.
“Selected with the help of the Reston Garden Club, the five private gardens feature intriguing plantings, hardscapes, water features, and surprises. All of these properties have successfully faced the challenges of gardening in Reston such as slopes, erosion, clay soil, shade and deer,” organizers said in a press release.
The gardens featured on the tour will include, as described by organizers:
- The O’Connor garden in the North Point neighborhood, a newly created design and installation completed in October 2016 by Hidden Lane Landscaping.
- The Haukness garden in North Point, ideally framing their waterfront location with a design created by Hidden Lane Landscaping in 2003.
- The Carson garden, established with the owner’s dedication, replete with plantings and features, in the Dogwood neighborhood.
- The Wulff garden, with unique structures and plantings on the front grade of their custom-built home near the lake in the South Lakes neighborhood.
- The Bond garden in the South Lakes neighborhood, a sanctuary created over time with the homeowners’ talented touch and gardening skills.
Tours are self-conducted and can be taken at one’s own pace between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. A map will be given at the visitor’s first stop, and visitors must transport themselves between the five stops. Those who purchase their tickets before June 2 can have a map mailed to them in advance of the event.
Following the tours, an open house will be conducted by Hidden Lane Landscaping in Herndon from 4 to 6 p.m., with light refreshments and music by the Reston Chorale.
Tickets are $20 and benefit the Reston Chorale.
Post Trail LLC, the company that owns the low-rise office buildings located at 11150 Sunset Hills Road, has filed for a Special Exception permit in hopes of opening a new cycling business.
The property is currently home to a 51,825-square-foot, four-story office building, which includes the offices for the well-known local charity Cornerstones.
According to Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins’ office, Post Trail LLC wants to build a 6,841-square-foot retail business for bicycle sales and repairs.
According to the permit application, no exterior changes to the building would be made.
Another business, Virginia Retina Specialists, also applied for permits last year to set up residence in the office building.
Image of 11150 Sunset Hills Road from Google Street View
Reston District police arrested an 18-year-old Herndon man for breaking into a home in the middle of the night last week.
According to police, a resident of the 1400 block of Kingstream Drive in Herndon woke around 2 a.m. on Saturday, May 6 to the sound of a crash. The woman found a man in her kitchen rummaging through the refrigerator. He reportedly fled on foot when she approached him.
Responding officers located a man matching the suspect’s description going through the trunk of a car nearby. The man took off running but officers were able to catch up with him and apprehend him. Officers confirmed he was the same man who broke into the resident’s home earlier.
The man has been charged with burglary, petit larceny, vehicular trespassing and being drunk in public.
Other reports from the Reston District over the past week included:
LARCENIES:
11300 block of Baron Cameron Avenue, purse from vehicle
11300 block of Baron Cameron Avenue, wallet from vehicle
10300 block of Brittenford Drive, property from vehicle
2200 block of Cocquina Drive, clothing from residence
12000 block of Glade Drive, merchandise from business
1400 block of Lake Fairfax Drive, wallet and electronic device from vehicle
13100 block of Parcher Avenue, beer from business
2100 block of San Moritz Circle, wallet from business
11500 block of Seneca Farm, wallet from vehicle
Anyone with information about any of the incidents reported by FCPD should call 703-691-2131 or 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or text “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637).
Reston Family Yard Sale Taking Place Saturday — At least 90 families are signed up to sell their use treasures this Saturday, May 13 for the massive Reston Family Yard Sale at 1900 Campus Commons Dr., at the corner of Sunrise Valley and Wiehle Avenue. The shopping frenzy is slated to begin at 8:30 a.m. when the gates open. If the weather looks questionable Saturday morning, call 703-435-6577 for a recorded message. Rain date is May 14. All vendor spaces are sold out. [Reston Now Events]
Congress Ponies Up $150 Million Again For Metro — According to a statement from Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-10th), Congress late last week reaffirmed its yearly promise for 2017 to give the D.C. Metro system $150 million, matching the sum of the $50-million contributions each made by Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. The matching grant agreement dates back to 2008, when Congress voted to create the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) by which Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia each contribute $50 million annually for Metro’s capital needs, which is then matched by $150 million in federal funds. Each year since, Congress has followed through and presented its share of the funds. [Loudoun Times-Mirror]
Reston’s Production of ‘Private Lives’ Gets Positive Review — Reston Community Players’ CenterStage production of Noel Coward’s iconic “Private Lives” opened this past weekend and is already racking up positive reviews. The D.C. Metro Theater Arts blog gave it a lengthy and complimentary review, calling it one of the group’s “classiest acts,” and praising both set designer Maggie Modig’s creations as well as William Chrapcynski’s sound design, proclaiming them “flawless.” “Private Lives” has several more show dates through May 20, including a Mother’s Day matinee. [D.C. Metro Theatre Arts]
Alexandria Schools Delayed, Locked Down Due to Armed Robbery — Fairfax County police reported Tuesday morning that several schools in the Alexandria area were on delayed start and/or were locked down after an armed robbery took place nearby in the 5900 block of Edgehill Drive, including Mt. Eagle and Cameron Run elementary schools. Air support and K9 dog units were assisting police in searching for a suspect, described as a white male in his 20s to 30s, about 6’1″ tall, wearing white shoes, dark shorts and a blue-gray jacket. [Fairfax County Police/Twitter]
A 23-year-old Reston resident was among those arrested in a recent sting operation conducted by the Fairfax County Police Department’s Child Exploitation Unit.
The operation involved detectives posing as juveniles online. The police department says the juveniles quickly received sexual solicitations, warning parents that “this type of crime is prevalent within our community.”
In all, eight men are facing various charges, including computer solicitation of a minor. Among them is Joshua Veary of Reston, who is facing three counts of computer solicitation.
More from an FCPD press release:
Major Crimes Division detectives from the Child Exploitation Unit recently conducted a three-day operation targeting online sexual predators.
Detectives, posing as juveniles, went online and within a very short period of time, received solicitations and sexually explicit images from men wanting to meet the “child” for the purpose of engaging in inappropriate sexual activity. The suspect and “child” would arrange a time and place to meet and when the suspect arrived, he was taken into custody.
The hard work of our detectives, along with those from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation , resulted in the arrest of eight offenders. Approximately 25 local and federal criminal charges were placed, including, solicitation of a minor, solicitation of a minor for prostitution, attempted indecent liberties with a minor (including a registered sex offender), and drug possession charges.
Detectives want to emphasize, especially to parents, this type of crime is prevalent within our community. They encourage you to closely monitor your child’s online activity; not only for predators who want to engage in physical contact, but also for those who wish to send or receive pornographic images from children.
Anyone with information about crimes involving suspected child sexual exploitation is asked to contact the Major Crimes Division at 703-246-7800, or Crime Solvers electronically by visiting www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES(274637)** or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
Hundreds of cyclists will ride for a good cause in Reston Saturday at the American Diabetes Association’s 2017 Tour de Cure.
The Tour de Cure is the largest cycling event for diabetes in the country, with 91 events in 44 states with more than 63,000 participants, says the ADA.
The event not only features routes that take cyclists throughout Northern Virginia on a beautiful spring day, but also starting ceremonies with noted speakers, fully stocked rest stops, and closing ceremonies featuring complimentary lunch and festivities.
Registration is still open for individuals and teams who will ride distances of 4, 14, 20, 35, 55, 82 and 106 miles. All routes start at Reston Town Center. The shorter distances stay in Reston; the longer ones take riders past Leesburg. See the routes on the Tour de Cure website.
The registration fee is $25.00. The fundraising minimum is $250.
Check-in and breakfast begin Saturday at 6 a.m. Shorter routes start later in the morning. The finish line celebration will take place in the Reston Town Center pavilion after the ride.
For complete information and registration, visit the Northern Virginia Tour de Cure website.
Photo courtesy American Diabetes Association.
