Fairfax County Police are investigating an attempted armed robbery that they say took place at a Reston business just after 7 a.m. last Friday.
Police said a man walked into a business in the 11700 block of Sunset Hills Road, displayed a knife and demanded money. When the victim refused to give the suspect any money he ran away.
The victim did not require medical attention, police said.
The suspect was described as a white male, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants and a mask.
Police did not name the business, but that location houses a 7-Eleven and two auto repair shops.
A Centreville man who works as a trainer at a Reston gym was arrested last week after he allegedly followed a woman through the South Lakes Safeway and filmed an “upskirt” video of her.
Michael Wayne Edwards, 33, Centreville, works at Fusion360, a personal training gym a few doors down from the Safeway at South Lakes Village Center.
He has been charged with indecent exposure, simulated masturbation and filming a nonconsented nude person, court records show.
Here is what police said happened:
A woman who was shopping at Safeway reported to police that on Aug. 5, a man was following her in the store on more than one occasion.
The victim said as she walked back to work that day, the man, identified as Edwards, followed her as she walked near Sunrise Valley Drive and Lakespray Way. The man appeared to be videotaping and spoke to her. She recalled him to be the same person from the store.
The woman told police the man then reportedly exposed himself to her then he ran away. Officers identified the suspect and worked with store personnel to investigate.
Subsequently, an investigation determined that the suspect had filmed the woman under her clothing at the grocery store, said FCPD spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell.
Edwards told Reston Now on Tuesday “it wasn’t me. I did not do what she said.”
Edwards’ attorney, Lavonda Golden-Williams, did not immediately return calls.
This is not the first time Edwards has been accused of a sexually related crime. In 2010, he was charged with several accounts of second-degree assault after he squirted semen from a bottle on women as they exited a Giant and Michael’s craft stores in Gaithersburg, Md.
Edwards pled guilty to one of those charges (the rest were dropped as part of the plea deal). He was fined $500 and given a three-year suspended jail sentence, Montgomery County records show. His probation period ended in June 2014.
There was a run of property crimes over the weekend, especially property taken from vehicles in several Reston neighborhoods.
From the Fairfax County Police Reston District Station crime blotter:
LARCENIES
1600 block of Oak Spring Way, wallet from residence.
2000 block of Colts Neck Road, wallet from vehicle.
2200 block of Compass Point Lane, wallet from vehicle.
2300 block of Glade Bank Way, license plate from vehicle.
1700 block of Jonathan Way, property from vehicle.
11600 block of Stoneview Square, purse from vehicle.
2200 block of Stone Wheel Drive, phone from residence.
STOLEN VEHICLES
12000 block of Greywing Square, 2015 Honda Civic.
Fairfax County Police report several shooting incidents in the Reston District this week in which buildings were damaged but no one was hurt.
On Monday, a security guard in a building in the 2200 block of Monroe Street in unincorporated Herndon reported hearing gunshots about 10:35 p.m. He located bullet holes in the front door to the building, police said.
On Wednesday, an employee of a building in the 2200 block of Corporate Park Drive in unincorporated Herndon reported to police damage and several holes to the front of a building that appeared to be gunshots.
Last week, an employee who works in the 12000 block of Worldgate Drive told Reston Now that his building also was damaged by mystery bullets.
Police are investigating to see if the incidents are related.
In other police news:
BURGLARY: 11400 block of Great Meadow Drive, Aug. 4. A resident reported someone entered the residence and took property.
ASSAULT: 13100 block of Parcher Avenue, Aug. 1. A man was approached by four male juveniles about 1:30 a.m.. The suspects assaulted the victim and fled. The victim did not require medical attention. The suspects were described as males in their teens. One of the suspects was wearing a black T-shirt. A second suspect was wearing a white T-shirt, blue jean shorts and a red baseball hat.
BURGLARY: 1000 block of Aziza Court, Aug. 1. A homeowner reported someone entered the home and took property.
LARCENIES
- 1700 block of Bracknell Drive, merchandise from business
- 11100 block of Branton Lane, property from residence
- 2500 block of Camberwell Court, property from residence
- 2100 block of Centreville Road, purse from business
- 2300 block of Hunters Woods Plaza, merchandise from business
- 2400 block of Masons Ferry Drive, cash from residence
- 1900 block of Reston Metro Plaza, bicycle from residence
- 11900 block of Winterthur Lane, cash from residence
- 2300 block of Hunter Woods Plaza, beverage from business
- 2100 block of Enright Place, property from vehicle
- Wiehle Avenue/Reston Station Boulevard, bicycle from metro
- 10100 block of Clover Glen Drive, property from business
STOLEN VEHICLES
2500 block of Fox Hound Court, 2007 Toyota RAV4.
Photo: Bullet hole in bulding window on Worldgate Drive/reader photo
The last two springs, Fairfax County Police listened to residents’ concerns about the dark stretch of path that runs behind Hunters Woods Village Center and is often a site for crime such as assault and drug activity.
Police said at a 2014 community meeting that plans were in the works to improve lighting and that Reston Association — which owns the stretch of path — would pay for it.
At a 2015 meeting, Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and FCPD Reston Station assistant commander Lance Schiable both addressed concerns about Reston’s overall lack of lighting, even though Reston was planned that way.
“With Metro here now, we have more people walking and riding bikes in Reston, and they want to do it at night,” Hudgins said. “We need to figure out how to make it safer for them. It is very dark here in Reston.”
Reston Association said in 2013 it had set aside $125,000 for the lighting project. It’s more than halfway through 2015, though, and there are no new lights. What happened?
Like many aspects of life in Fairfax County, the costs went up, RA says.
What was expected to cost RA $125,000 grew to an estimated $190,000, RA CEO Cate Fulkerson said last December. While the $125,000 carried over to the current budget, the costs grew even more.
“The actual total cost is closer to $300,000,” Fulkerson told Reston Now in December. “We have not installed pathway lighting in many years, and the original estimate used in building the 2014/2015 Capital Budgets did not account for expenses related to Dominion Power’s engineering and equipment costs, which have increased considerably since the last time the Association installed pathways lighting.”
RA is hoping that Edens, which owns Hunters Woods, will pick up a significant share of the costs. Edens reps did not return messages.
Meanwhile, RA may increase the scope of the project to improve lighting at other areas in need, not just at Hunters Woods, RA spokesman Mike Leone said. RA’s Design Review Board told RA earlier this year it wanted a comprehensive lighting guideline for the whole community.
“We set aside the money in the 2014 budget, but what has happened has become kind of a bigger project,” he said. “When RA started working with Dominion, it got more expensive, based on the police recommendation. But what also started to happen, is we started getting input from Shadowood and other [nearby] condos wanting better lighting in their area.”
Leone said what started as a one stretch of path has now turned into a “urban design guidelines that would include a pedestrian lighting plan for the community.”
Leone says RA will “engage a lighting consultant to help develop that plan, as well as look at the safety of paths and the issue of light pollution while engaging the community in the process.”
He said it is a multiyear project and the costs are not yet known.
“Once that lighting design plan is developed by a consultant, then would go to RA board and the Design Review Board to develop a comprehensive lighting plan for the whole community,” Leone said.
Leone said RA is still hoping Edens will pay for some of the lighting upgrades near Hunters Woods.
Photo: RA path near Hunters Woods Village Center/file photo
National Night Out is Tuesday, Aug. 4, and many Reston communities will be holding special events to mark the annual show of solidarity against crime.
National Night Out is an annual, nationwide community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live.
Activities range from keeping the outside lights on all night in a show of solidarity to carnival fun with community police officers.
Here’s what’s happening in Fairfax County Police’s Reston District Station:
- Hunters Woods Coalition National Night Out Kickoff Fun — 12 to 1 p.m. RCC Hunters Woods
- Southgate Community Center — Games, Hot Dogs and Refreshments, 5 to 7 p.m.
- Rock Hill NW — Lights On Campaign, 6:30 to 10 p.m.
- Hunting Horn Lane — Lights On Campaign, Overnight
- Saddler Oaks — Ice Cream Social, 7 to 8 p.m.
- Monterey Estates — Gathering 8 to 8:30p.m.
- Great Falls Community Crossing — Pizza, Show and Tell Q&A, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- McNair Farms (Land Bay 2) — Ice Cream Social, 6 to 8 p.m.
- Reflections Homes — Small Food/Bounce House, 6 to 9 p.m.
- West Glade Aparments — Food and Games, 5 to 8 p.m.
Is your neighborhood planning something and you want to invite police? Contact Laura Redman [email protected] (703) 478-0904. You can also download a form on the FCPD website to register your event.
Photo: National Night Out/Courtesy FCPD
Fairfax County Police said two cars were stolen from the 1600 block of Becontree Lane earlier this week.
The thefts were reported to Fairfax County Police on Tuesday. One car was a 2002 Toyota. The other was a 2012 Toyota Corolla.
The Reston District Station also reported a burglary in the 1900 block of Crescent Park Drive on Tuesday. A resident reported someone went into the garage about 4 p.m. and took property.
In other police news:
LARCENIES
2100 block of Enright Place, wallet from residence
1600 block of Parkcrest Circle, bicycle from residence
2000 block of Royal Fern Court, packages from business
Fairfax County Police are investigating a home burglary that took place in the 1500 block of Chatham Colony Court in Reston on Monday.
Residents of the home called police about 9:30 p.m. Monday and told them they were on the porch of their home when a suspect or suspects entered through an unlocked door, grabbed a purse, then fled on foot, police spokesman Lucy Caldwell said.
The police helicopter responded to the scene and found possible suspects in Lake Anne Park, said Caldwell.
Other FCPD resources also responded, including officers and K-9 units. Police briefly blocked streets in the area to try and isolate the suspect, who was not located.
No arrests were made but the investigation is continuing, said Caldwell.
Fairfax County Police searched for a man who reportedly was firing a handgun into the air early Tuesday.
Police said a resident alerted them to gunfire in the 2100 block of Sugarloaf Court in unincorporated Herndon about 12:43 a.m.
The man was described as a white male with “slick” black hair.
Fairfax County’s Chopper 1 helicopter was dispatched to help look for the suspect.
The man entered an SUV and fled, police said.
In other crime news from FCPD’s Reston District Station:
LARCENIES
- 1900 block of Crescent Park Drive, bicycles from residence.
- 1800 block of Fountain Drive, merchandise from business.
- 11700 block of Stratford House Place, bicycle from residence.
- 2900 block of Timber Wood Way, electronic equipment from vehicle.
- 11900 block of Bowman Towne Drive, merchandise from business.
- 1700 block of Business Center Drive, cash from business.
- 1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, bicycles from residence.
- 2100 block of Glencourse Lane, cash from vehicle.
- 1600 block of Valencia Way, jewelry from residence.
STOLEN VEHICLES
2200 block of Castle Rock Square, 1989 Cadillac Deville.
All three of the suspects in the fatal shooting at Stoneview Square in May appeared in Fairfax County Court on Wednesday.
While they were scheduled for preliminary hearings, the appearances became more of administrative scheduling sessions for Dominique May, 18, Eddie Rodriguez, 22, and Jalan Merrill, 21.
The three men have been all been charged with robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Fairfax County Police said the men were allegedly involved in a fight that ended with the shooting death of 24-year-old Rashad Kejuan Daye on May 17.
None of the men have been directly charged in Daye’s death.
Wednesday’s court appearance introduced for the first time a witness, Kevin Baldwin. Sources said the residence in the 11600 block of Stoneview Square was Baldwin’s residence.
Police said at a Hunters Woods community meeting in May that the resident of the condo, who was not named by police at that time, is not facing charges “because according to law, he was defending himself in his own home,” said FCPD Lt. Lance Schaible.
Virginia statute allows for use of force in relation to perceived threat, says Schiable.
“If someone is in your home … you can take the level of force you feel necessary,” he said. “Ultimately, the decision [on level of force allowed by law] is made by the Commonwealth’s Attorney.”
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Rodriguez waived the preliminary hearing on both charges. He will appear in Fairfax County Circuit Court Sept. 15. Merrill waived the preliminary hearing on the robbery charge. He will appear Aug. 20. May received a continuance on his preliminary hearing to Sept. 29.
Baldwin is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on separate felony and misdemeanor drug charges on Sept. 8. Those charges stem from a February arrest.
Photos: Left, Dominique May; Right, Eddie Rodriguez/Courtesy FCPD
Fairfax County Police have identified the body found in unincorporated Herndon on Tuesday as Brooke Lee Lancaster, 19, of Ashburn.
Lancaster’s body was found in a grassy area next to an eight-story parking garage in the 2300 block of Dulles Station Boulevard Tuesday morning. She appeared to have head trauma. Police said on Tuesday the death appeared suspicious.
However, police said on Wednesday that they believe there was no foul play and there is no public safety threat. The case remains under investigation.
Officers from Fairfax County Police’s Reston District Station are investigating two armed robberies that occurred in unincorporated Herndon over the weekend.
The first was in the 2900 Block of Centreville Road on Friday at about 12:23 a.m.
A man wearing a mask and gloves entered a business and displayed a handgun to an employee. The victim handed over cash and the suspect fled. The victim did not require medical attention, police said.
The second took place at the Clocktower Shopping Center in the 2400 block of Centreville Road about 11 p.m. Friday.
Police said a man entered a business, displayed a handgun to an employee and demanded money. The suspect took cash and fled. The victim did not require medical attention. The suspect, described as 5 foot 9 inches, about 150 pounds, was wearing a ski mask, dark clothing and boots.
In other crime news:
UNLAWFUL ENTRY, 12000 block of Greywing Square, July 19. A property manager reported an unknown person entered a vacant apartment. Nothing was taken.
UNLAWFUL ENTRY/DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, 11300 block of Stonehouse Place, July 20. A resident reported several juveniles entered his backyard and damaged property.
LARCENIES:
2300 block of Freetown Court, wallet from vehicle.
Green Range Drive/Antiqua Court, property from vehicle.
12000 block of Greywing Square, license plate from vehicle.
2300 block of Hunters Woods Plaza, merchandise from business.
13100 block of Parcher Avenue, merchandise from business.
11600 block of Tori Glen Court, property from vehicle.
9100 block of Weant Drive, property from residence.
Fairfax County Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a woman found dead Tuesday morning near a parking garage in the 2300 block of Dulles Station Blvd. That location is off of Sunrise Valley Drive in unincorporated Herndon.
Police said the deceased is an adult woman, possibly in her 20s, with red hair. They also said the death appears suspicious. The woman had obvious head trauma, police said. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death.
Officers from the Reston District Station were on the scene at the parking garage and the surrounding Camden Dulles Station complex all morning. Evidence was recovered from the upper floors of the eight-level garage, they said.
It is unclear whether the woman died at the scene or was dropped there from somewhere else.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers electronically by visiting www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.orgor 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.
Photo: Crime scene where body was found Tuesday/Credit: FCPD via Twitter
(Updated, 9:40 a.m. July 21 to correct charges came from animal control officers).
Two residents of Southgate Square are facing charges after Fairfax County Police rescued more than 30 animals from the Reston home last May.
More than 35 cats and two dogs were taken from the home in the 2200 block of Southgate Square in mid-May after a neighbor called police about a strong odor.
Fairfax County Animal Control officers have charged Catherine Nagle, 71, and Daniel Orenge, also 71, with eight counts of inadequate care of animals by owner and six counts of animal cruelty. Both charges are misdemeanors. Both will appear in court on July 30.
At the time of the rescue, the animals were taken to Pender Veterinary Centre for evaluation, treatment and placement, said FCPD spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell.
“All animals were treated by veterinarian with varying degrees of medical issues,” she said. “One puppy was fine and had no medical issues.”
The animals are currently at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, Caldwell said.
Fairfax County Police have apprehended two teenagers suspected of being part of a group that robbed and assaulted a man on a trail in south Reston on Tuesday.
Police said the victim was walking near the 11000 block of Winterthur Lane about 5:38 p.m. when he came upon a group of eight teenagers.
The man said the group began assaulting him and took his cell phone and cash. When police were called, they located the group running away and two of the suspects were apprehended.
A 16-year-old from Sterling, and 17-year-old from Reston, were detained pending investigation.
In other police news from FCPD’s Reston District Station:
INDECENT EXPOSURE
Green Range Drive near Cloudcroft Court, July 14, 5:14 a.m. A woman was walking on the sidewalk when a man exposed himself from inside a vehicle. The suspect was described as a white male in his 20s.
LARCENIES
11900 block of Market Street, phone from residence.
13200 block of Parcher Avenue, property from vehicle.
11400 block of Sunset Hills Road, wheels from vehicle.
11400 block of Washington Plaza, parts from vehicle.
1500 block of Deer Point Way, phone from residence.
2800 block of Reign Street, property from vehicle.
11200 block of Silentwood Lane, cash from vehicle.
1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, bicycles from residence.
1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, phone from business.
1800 block of Fountain Drive, merchandise from business.
11700 block of Olde English Drive, property from residence.
STOLEN VEHICLES
11800 block of Barrel Cooper Court, 2003 Honda Civic.
1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, Honda CBR 1000.
