City of Fairfax police arrested a Reston man after he assaulted two police officers.
On Thursday, Jan. 3, police officers found a male subject knocking on doors and checking doorknobs around 1:21 a.m. in the 9400 block of Fairfax Blvd. A police investigation determined that a possible larceny had occurred and that the subject was intoxicated, according to the report.
Elias Bouazer, a 20-year-old from Reston, allegedly assaulted two officers as they were in the process of arresting him, the report says.
Bouazer was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where he was charged with two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer, larceny and being drunk in public. He was held without bond.
Last Friday (Jan. 11), police in the City of Fairfax arrested another Restonian — this time for drunk driving.
At around 1:44 a.m. police stopped a vehicle that was driving erratically in the area of Revel Run and Fairfax Blvd and arrested and charged Mohiyadin Abukar Abdi of Reston for driving under the influence, according to the report. Abdi was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station reported the following incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, laptop computer from residence
10200 block of Colvin Run Road, wallet from residence
Emeral Heights Court/Green Range Drive, cell phone from location
11600 block of Plaza America Drive, bag from location
8700 block of Potomac Hills Street, purse from vehicle
1600 block of Reston Parkway, merchandise from business
2200 block of Southgate Square, shovel from residence
2200 block of Stone Wheel Drive, clothing from location
11800 block of Sunrise Valley Drive, merchandise from business
11400 block of Waterview Cluster, wallet from location
1800 block of Wiehle Ave, merchandise from business
STOLEN VEHICLES:
None reported
City of Falls Church police arrested a Herndon man last week.
Last Tuesday (Jan. 8) around 10:45 a.m., police responded to a complaint about suspicious activity at the 7-Eleven at 201 S. Washington Street. They arrested and charged 26-year-old Jason Wesley of Herndon with possession of a controlled substance, obstruction of justice and public intoxication, according to the report.
File photo
Updated at 2 p.m. — Fox Mill Road is now open.
A fallen tree temporarily closed Fox Mill Road just south of Thoroughbred Road, the Fairfax County Police Department tweeted today (Jan. 15).
The large tree blocked the entire width of the road near the Reston-Herndon border.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue crews were busy chainsawing the tree around 12:50 p.m., according to the tweet.
The road reopened around 1:56 p.m., according to a second tweet from the police department.
UPDATE: Fox Mill Road is now open.https://t.co/JGkBZzbq2q
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) January 15, 2019
Map via Google Maps
MLK art exhibit opens — An art exhibit by Reston elementary school students debuts today at RCC Hunters Woods ahead of Reston’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations planned for next week. The exhibit will run through Jan. 31. [Reston Community Center]
Gymboree music — Discover melody and rhythm in songs at the Reston Regional Library with two dance sessions cosponsored by the Friends of the Reston Regional Library. Gymboree Music I runs from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. for ages six months to 18 months with adults. Gymboree Music II from 11:15 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. is meant for kids ages 18 months to two-year-olds with an adult. [Reston Regional Library]
Deltek expands industry reach — The Herndon-based provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses recently announced it acquired Avitru, a content and software company. Deltek’s acquisition will expand its offerings to the architectural, engineering, construction and facility operations industry. [citybizlist]
Reston startup secures funding — Reston-based LifeFuels, which makes portable beverage makers, secured its Series-A funding. [Cision]
County expands drug disposal boxes at police stations — Fairfax County announced this week the expansion of the Prescription Drug Take Back Box Program Countywide, where locals can drop off prescription medications at boxes at district police stations. [Supervisor Pat Herrity]
Photo via Marjorie Copson
Deadline to order commemorative bricks — Today is the last day to order a commemorative brick for installation at Lake Anne Plaza later this year. [Reston Historic Trust and Museum]
Leidos is leading naval health research — The Reston-based company was awarded a contract by the Naval Medical Logistics Command to provide research support services at its Naval Health Research Center. [Leidos]
Safe drug disposal — Locals can drop off prescription medications and ointments and also over-the-counter drugs to boxes at Fairfax County’s police stations. [Fairfax County Police]
Lego club — Kids ages five to 12 can have fun with Lego bricks at the Herndon Fortnightly Library from 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. today. [Fairfax County]
Police are looking for two men in connection with a robbery that occurred on New Year’s Day.
Around 1:30 p.m., two men began fighting with a food delivery driver who was delivering an order to an apartment at the 11600 block of Stoneview Square, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
The food delivery driver stopped fighting when one of the men displayed a knife, according to the report. The two men then went through his pockets and took an undisclosed amount of cash.
“The men were described as possibly black or Hispanic, in their early 20s, wearing all dark clothing,” according to the report.
The food delivery driver was not injured, police say.
Image via Google Maps
Four teenage boys robbed a man in Herndon walking home from a local restaurant on Friday night (Dec. 28).
The teens approached the man around 3 a.m. at the 2500 block of John Eppes Road and asked him for a cigarette. Then, one of the boys kicked the man in the leg, which caused him to fall to the ground, and the teens got away with his wallet, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
The man was taken a local hospital. One of the boys, a 17-year-old, was found, and a petition was obtained for robbery.
In a separate incident, a man struck several trees in Reston after driving off of the road at the 11000 block of Glade Drive around 5:20 a.m. on Saturday (Dec. 29).
The trapped 35-year-old driver, Luke Gullekson of Herndon, was eventually removed by the fire department and taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police gave Gullekson a summons for driving while intoxicated, according to the report.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station reported the following incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
11300 block of Baron Cameron Avenue, merchandise from vehicle
2100 block of Centreville Road, merchandise from business
13400 block of Coppermine Road, jewelry from residence
1800 block of Cranberry Lane, property from vehicle
800 block of Crews Road, decorations from residence
2000 block of Hunter Mill Road, appliances from residence
2300 block of Hunters Woods Plaza, groceries from business
11900 block of Market Street, merchandise from business
2500 block of Oakhampton Plaza, packages and mail from residence
10700 block of Oldfield Drive, wallet from vehicle
1700 block of Port Place, merchandise from residence
1900 block of Sagewood Lane, wallet from residence
11100 block of South Lakes Drive, liquor from business
12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, merchandise from business
1800 block of Wiehle Avenue, merchandise from business
STOLEN VEHICLES:
2100 block of Astoria Circle, 2003 Toyota Camry
12000 block of Greywing Square, 2003 Toyota 4Runner
10800 block of Winter Corn Lane, 2010 Ford Goldline F150XLT
Last Friday, a woman assaulted a police officer shortly before 3 a.m. at Reston Hospital after she became irate while police investigated whether or not she was under the influence of alcohol at the time of a car crash. Fairfax County police arrested and charged Elizabeth Wendt, 27, of Ashburn with assault on a law enforcement officer and driving while intoxicated, according to FCPD.
On Sunday (Dec. 30), police responded at 9:40 p.m. to residents’ reports of hearing multiple gunshots at the 2200 block of Castle Rock Square. Police searched the area and found shell casings on the ground. They are still investigating, according to the report.
Meanwhile, three commercial burglaries hit Herndon last week.
Employees at a business in the 1100 block of Elden Street noticed shortly after 6 a.m. on Wednesday (Dec. 26) that an undisclosed amount of cash was taken and that an entry appeared to have been forced through the back door. Herndon police are investigating that burglary along with one that occurred on Nov. 30.
After a different burglary, employees noticed an undisclosed amount of cash missing from the office safe around 9 a.m. last Friday in the 13000 block of Worldgate Drive. There was no sign of forced entry, according to police.
In a separate incident, employees noticed after 6 a.m. on Saturday (Dec. 29) that there was a forced entry into the business in the 1100 block of Elden Street. Police said that nothing was taken.
File photo
Fairfax County Police are still looking for the driver who killed a Reston teen who was crossing the street Saturday evening.
The victim was identified by police Sunday as 16-year-old Marvin Daniel Cruz Serrano, who friends are remembering as “kind and selfless.” The South Lakes High School student was struck by a vehicle while returning home from work at Reston’s Cafesano, NBC 4 reported.
“At about 5:40, officers responded to the report of a pedestrian hit-and-run crash on South Lakes Drive and Castle Rock Square in Reston,” police said in a press release. “The teen was attempting to cross South Lakes Drive… when he was hit by a vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“There is a crosswalk at the intersection and detectives are still conducting their investigation to determine if the teen was using the crosswalk,” police added. Police are now seeking information that can lead them to the driver, who fled the scene.
More from FCPD:
Detectives from our Crash Reconstruction Unit are asking anyone with information on the fatal hit-and-run crash over the weekend to come forward. 16-year-old Marvin Daniel Cruz Serrano of Reston was hit while crossing the street Saturday night, and the driver left the scene. The car involved was likely a sedan based on witness accounts, but we don’t know the model or color. The vehicle would have heavy front-end damage but still be drivable.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Crash Reconstruction Unit witness phone line: 703-280-0543. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by visiting http://www. fairfaxcrimesolvers.org, or calling 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). They can also be sent in via text by texting “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES (274637). Text STOP to 274637 to cancel, or HELP to 274637 for help. Message and data rates may apply. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1000 if their information leads to an arrest.
We are able to share Serrano’s identity publicly, despite him being a juvenile crime victim, because his family provided our detectives their written consent.
Map via Google Maps
Loudoun County police arrested and charged a Reston man with driving under the influence last Wednesday night near Paeonian Springs.
A sheriff’s deputy spotted the driver, Karl F. Wolf, a 75-year-old Reston resident, going over the posted speed limit at the intersection of Route 7 and Route 9 at 10:23 p.m. on Dec. 19, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.
Wolf has been released from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on an unsecured bond.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station reported the following incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
11900 block of Market Street, merchandise from business
11900 block of Market Street, cell phone from location
13200 block of Parcher Avenue, cell phone from school
11100 block of South Lakes Drive, merchandise from business
11800 block of Sunrise Valley Drive, cash from business
21800 block of Town Center Plaza, merchandise from business
STOLEN VEHICLES:
None reported
Fairfax County police discovered that the AT&T store at 1810 Library Street was broken into after they responded to an alarm going off at the store at 1:45 a.m. last Wednesday (Dec. 19). Police determined that someone stole electronics, according to the report.
Last Thursday (Dec. 20) Herndon police arrested 34-year-old Carlos S. Portillo of Herndon on four counts of sexual assault against a victim who knew him, according to the Herndon Police Department.
The assaults happened at the 1000 block of Alabama Drive, according to the report.
Portillo is currently being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond, according to the report.
File photo
(Updated 12:30 p.m.) Don’t pet or feed wild animals. In fact, local animal control encourages you to haze them if they get too close to the house or if you feel threatened.
As winter sets in, homes around Fairfax County could look particularly appealing to animals looking for a refuge for the cold weather or a bite to eat. Sergeant Alena Swartz, Animal Control Officer for Fairfax County, urges local citizens to resist the urge to let the wildlife in.
“If you have anything that might be seen as a good nesting area, like under sheds or low-rise porches, a lot of animals can use that as a den,” said Swartz. “You don’t want them denning in your yard, you want them in the woods.”
If an animal is simply moving across the property, Swartz says it’s fine to let them pass, but sometimes animals can come too close to the proximity of the house and conflict can occur when the animals become too comfortable around humans.
Swartz said to make sure to check under those areas first before they are closed in or any animals trapped inside could starve. Swartz recommended placing loose dirt below holes being closed up to be able to check later and see if an animal has attempted to scratch or dig out from the inside. If there are signs of activity, call pest control.
Overall, Swartz said the seasonal change doesn’t the types of animals seen around the area, though squirrel infestations are more common in the spring and summer. But Swartz said Fairfax residents are still likely to see foxes, raccoons, or the odd coyote or two throughout the winter months.
If residents spot a fox or coyote in their yard, Swartz said residents should do everything they can to scare the animal away, both for the safety of residents and for the animal.
“Get a can… shake things around,” Swartz said. “Try to scare them away. Foxes will sometimes just become acclimated to that, so you really have to make sure you scare them away.”
If the animal persists, Swartz says residents should throw rocks near the animals, though not directly at them.
Swartz said animals becoming too acclimated to humans can lead to wild animals changing their behavior in ways that may hinder their survival.
“Don’t want them thinking okay be to be around people,” said Swartz. “Don’t leave pet food outside, what [your pets] don’t eat take up and bring in, or [wild animals] see that as a food source. They’ll think ‘why try to find my own food when I can come here?’ We need them to maintain a fear of us or they stop doing what they normally do.”
Swartz said that the amount of wildlife around Fairfax hasn’t shown a substantial change, but as the communities grow and expand they are taking away resources from that wildlife and sightings become more common as humans encroach on their habitat.
For most animal sightings, Swartz said local residents should contact the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) at 1-855-571-9003. The DGIF deals largely with animals that are considered nuisances, like a groundhog repeatedly pilfering a local garden. But for animals that appear sick or injured, Swartz says to contact animal protection police at 703-691-2131.
Photo courtesy Brandy Schantz
Loudoun County police arrested a Herndon resident after he drove into a concrete barrier on Sunday morning in Sterling.
A sheriff’s deputy spotted a vehicle that had crashed into a concrete barrier at the 21000 block of N. Sterling Road at 3:23 a.m. on Dec. 16, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.
The 26-year-old driver, Jose M. Herrera was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and driving without a license. A 22-year-old passenger, Alejandro Brizo-Calix of Falls Church, was arrested and charged with public intoxication, the report said.
Both men have been released from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on unsecured bonds.
In a separate incident, Loudoun County police arrested and charged a 45-year-old Reston woman for being drunk in public last Thursday (Dec. 13) in Sterling.
Deputies responded to a call for a female screaming and attempting to open car doors at 2 a.m. Deputies found Katharine M. Lilly lying on the sidewalk in the 100 block of Drury Circle and arrested her, according to the report.
She was released on a personal recognizance bond, according to police.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station reported the following incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
2300 block of Generation Drive, property from residence
1800 block of Michael Faraday Court, wallet and purse from vehicle
1400 block of North Point Village Center, merchandise from business
11100 block of Saffold Way, jewelry from residence
12000 block of Sunrise Valley Drive, bicycle from location
12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, merchandise from business
1800 block of Wiehle Avenue, merchandise from business
STOLEN VEHICLES:
None reported
Fairfax County police are searching for a man who robbed the Sunoco in Herndon last Wednesday (Dec. 12), previously reported by Reston Now.
File photo
“Nothing in your hands. Obey commands.”
The Fairfax Police Department has released a short video via Facebook Live giving instructions on what to do if you find yourself in an active shooter situation.
Lt. Brian Ruck, a police officer from the Franconia District, said most shootings are over in around 10 minutes, ending either in “self termination” or law enforcement intervention. Ruck said most shootings are a single shooter, though law enforcement often gets reports of a second shooter in the chaos as a shooting starts.
Ruck encouraged people to follow the “Run, Hide, Fight” policy recommended by the Fairfax County Police Department.
“It’s a decision based model,” said Ruck. “Every situation is different, dynamic and complex. Unfortunately [we] can’t give viewers an exact answer to what they should do.”
If possible, Ruck says anyone in an active shooter situation should do their best to flee the area.
“Running away from the bad situation is ideal,” Ruck said. “But they may have to hide if they can’t. Barricade the door. The last phase is fight. If you have to fight for your life, that’s what you need to do.”
Even once the police arrive, that isn’t always a guarantee of safety. In November, security guard Jemel Roberson was killed in Chicago by police who mistook him for the shooter. Ruck said it’s important to when police show up to empty your hands, show them to police officers and obey commands.
“Get on the ground and have nothing in your hands,” said Ruck. “Expect them to shout at you and have weapons drawn. People see that and it’s traumatic, but officers are going in with intention of stopping a threat… Nothing in your hands. Obey commands.”
If you’re hiding, Ruck says to remain in hiding until the police come and find you.
In the meantime, Ruck encouraged people to be aware of escape routes, hiding spaces, and potential weapons around them.
“Play the ‘what if’ game,” said Ruck. “If I had to fight for my life right now, what around me could I use to defend myself? How could I get out of here? What’s an alternate exit? Not just at work, do it at home with your kids.”
Ruck also encouraged anyone who knows of someone who shows signs of mental distress and might become violent to contact the police. Ruck said a common misconception is that police’s only response is to arrest the person in question. Ruck said police could also help respond to a mental crisis and get the person to care they need.
“We’re told frequently afterwards that people saw the signs, that there was someone exhibiting certain symptoms,” said Ruck. “These people were projecting this and no one called… if you see something, say something.”
(Updated at 8:58 a.m.) Police are searching for a man who robbed the Sunoco in Herndon yesterday night.
A man wearing a mask entered the gas station at 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday (Dec. 12) and displayed a handgun to the cashier, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
The man then took an unspecified amount of cash and fled the gas station at 13470 Coppermine Road.
Police said there were no injuries.
“The suspect was described as a black man, about 6 feet tall, and 200 pounds,” according to the report.
Image via Google Maps
This story has been updated
President Donald Trump praised two local police officers for helping to dismantle the gang MS-13 during his speech at a conference last Friday.
Trump lauded Fairfax County Police Department Detective Ray Betts, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia G. Zachary Terwilliger and Sgt. Claudio Saa from the Herndon Police Department as “three trailblazing leaders.”
The praise came during remarks Trump made at the 2018 Project Safe Neighborhoods National Conference in Kansas City, Mo. last Friday (Dec. 7).
The conference brings together U.S. Attorneys; federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement; community partners; and others to share ideas on violent crime reduction.
Trump’s remarks included the following:
Every American citizen is entitled to a safe community and a secure border. Here in the audience today are three trailblazing leaders — they truly are — who are working to dismantle MS-13 over the past two years. They’ve helped so much. They’ve done such an incredible job. Twenty-nine MS-13 members have been charged and convicted just recently, despite being targeted for retaliation.
These three patriots are U.S. Attorney Zach Terwilliger — where is Zach? Hello, Zach. Heard great things about you. Herndon Police Sergeant Claudio Saa. Thank you, Claudio. Thank you very much. And Fairfax County Police Detective Ray Betts. Thank you. Thank you. All three, thank you very much.
At the conference, Terwilliger, Betts and Saa joined Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Miller and Rebeca Bellows, Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew and Major Roger Russell of the Richmond Police Department in a team presentation on best practices for investigating and dismantling MS-13.
MS-13 started in Los Angeles before heading to Virginia and then making its way to El Salvador.
Betts accounted for more than 100 felony arrests and 30 misdemeanors in a one-year time period two years after he joined the gang investigations unit. He has been to El Salvador to investigate cases and train his Salvadoran counterparts, WTOP reported.
Saa has also traveled to El Salvador, where he explored MS-13’s ties to Virginia, NBC4 reported.
It's not every day that one of our own is recognized by @POTUS for a job well done! 🇺🇸 He thanked #FCPD Detective Ray Betts for his work getting violent gang members off the street, along with @USATerwilliger & Sgt. Claudio Saa from @HerndonPolice. Congratulations to you all! pic.twitter.com/Zh69uxn59J
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) December 10, 2018
Photo via FCPD/Twitter
The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) and the county’s Office for Women & Domestic and Sexual Violence Services are slated to receive nearly $180,000 as part of grants to boost criminal justice services across Virginia.
Gov. Ralph Northam announced yesterday (Dec. 6) that law enforcement and services for crime victims across the Commonwealth will receive $5.9 million in grants administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
“This funding is key to our ability to respond to the diverse needs of our communities and build a safer, healthier Virginia,” Northam said in a Dec. 6 statement. “From survivors of violent crimes to the law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line each day to protect our Commonwealth, these resources will help ensure that all Virginians have the opportunity to thrive.”
The DCJS approved the grants at its meeting in Richmond on Thursday (Dec. 6.) The federal Violence Against Women Act and the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program allocated the funds to Virginia.
The awards include more than $4.5 million to bolster the response to crimes of violence against women and services for survivors and $1.4 million to provide equipment, technology and training.
Fairfax County received about 3.1 percent of the funding. Here is a breakdown:
- $87,205 for the Fairfax County’s Office for Women & Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
- $52,993 for FCPD’s Violence Against Women’s Act project
- $39,500 for FCPD’s law enforcement training
“Each year, DCJS administers nearly 1,000 grants totaling over $250 million in state and federal funds.” Shannon Dion, the director of DCJS, said in a statement. “These grants support programs and initiatives across the criminal justice system and enable DCJS to provide extensive training and technical assistance to agencies throughout Virginia.”
File photo
Vienna and Fairfax County Police arrested a 13-year-old Reston resident and a 14-year-old Vienna resident last Wednesday.
The pair was charged Nov. 28 with a series of crimes, including setting fire to a Vienna restaurant in October.
The boys were charged with both felony and misdemeanor crimes, including arson.
The Oct. 14 fire destroyed most of the building for the Marco Polo Restaurant, which had been vacant. There were no injuries. The site is set for redeveloped as a retail and townhouse complex.
The teens were also charged with the vandalism of several buses in the rear parking lot of the restaurant on Sept. 9.
Police said other charges are also being filed in relation to a Nov. 4 vandalism of two historic government-owned buildings near Lahey Lost Valley Park in Vienna, which caused several thousand dollars in damage.
The pair is being held in the Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station reported the following incidents in recent days:
LARECENIES:
1700 block of Business Center Drive, watch from location
1100 block of Dranesville Road, ornaments from residence
12800 block of Graypine Place, wallet from location
1700 block of Whitewood Lane, wallet from vehicle
STOLEN VEHICLES:
None reported
Photo via FCPD
