Police officers at the Reston District Station will be among the first to wear body cameras as the county-wide program begins next month.
This year, the Reston, Mason and Mount Vernon District Station, which took part in a pilot program in 2018, will receive a combined total of 416 cameras. Training on how to use the devices is currently underway.
The program is expected to result in 13 new positions, including three in the police department, eight in the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, and two in the Department of Information Technology.
But it’s unclear when the rest of the county will receive the cameras. Although a three-year implementation plan with funding was originally planned for, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill to delay the rollout of the program.
The proposed budget — which was scaled back considerably in response to the COVID-19 pandemic — maintains an increase of $1.77 million to support the first full year of the program. The $4 million was first approved in late 2019 by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Colonel Edwin Roessler said the police department hopes the program through despite revisions to the latest budget.
“We are committed to seeing the body-worn camera program through to full implementation,” Roessler said.
Photo via Fairfax County Police Department
Two local residents are among 30 men arrested earlier this month during an online sting to track predators who used the internet to exploit children.
In the investigation — dubbed Operation COVID Crackdown — offenders were caught when they attempted to initiate explicit conversations and solicit sex from police officers posing as children.
When the individuals arrived at locations identified by the offenders, they were taken into custody.
“Our detectives have remained vigilant and they recognized the increased threat posed by online predators in recent weeks,” said Major Ed O’Carroll, Bureau Commander, Major Crimes. “I commend their ability to adapt during this unprecedented public health pandemic and to do so in the interest of protecting our children and bringing justice to those who commit these repugnant crimes.”
The men ranged from age 20 to 74 and were charged with a combined 68 felonies. Kirrolos Guirguis, 25, of Herndon, was charged with solicitation of a minor and attempted indecent liberties. Concepcion Gonzalez, 38, of Reston, was charged with solicitation of a minor and attempted indecent liberties.
With distance learning in effect, police officers are encouraging parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities and use security settings to block inappropriate websites and platforms.
Here’s more from FCPD:
School closures and the implementation of distance learning have increased many children’s online presence and inadvertently placed them at higher risk of exploitation. Parents are urged to closely monitor their children’s online activities and use available security settings to prevent the use of age-inappropriate sites or platforms. Children should be encouraged to report any person engaging in inappropriate conversations or trying to coerce them into providing sexually explicit images of themselves. Additional internet safety information provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children can be found here.
A location tracking app helped local police find a car that was stolen in the Town of Herndon.
Police arrested Anthony Ellison, 34, of Burke, in connection with the robbery on April 17.
The Fairfax County Police Department made the arrest after the owner of the stolen 2020 Jeep Wrangler used a tracking app to locate the vehicle and the suspect.
The car was stolen earlier in the day from the Town of Herndon.
Burke was charged with grand larceny and was held without bond.
A Herndon man faces multiple felony charges in connection with an early morning fire that happened at a home in Franklin Farms last week.
Fairfax County Police arrested and charged Rogerio Ribeiro, 52, with arson and setting fire to damage another’s property.
When police officers arrived at the scene, they spotted Ribeiro attempting to leave in a car at around 4 a.m. outside the home (13500 block of Coates Lane), which was engulfed in flames. The Herndon resident attempted to thwart police by pointing a gun at officers.
Ribeiro was arrested after a struggle with police officers. He is being held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.
After further investigation, police also charged Ribeiro with aggravated malicious wounding, cruelty to animals and two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer.
One person was treated for injuries at a local hospital and an injured dog remains under the care of a veterinarian.
Photo via Fairfax County Police Department
Delays are expected for the rollout of the Fairfax County Police Department’s body-worn camera program.
In Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill’s revised budget for fiscal year 2021, the county plans to push back funding for 338 cameras for the Sully, McLean, and West Springfield Stations in the second year of the program.
The county is also revisiting funding plans for 456 cameras for the third year of the program at the Fair Oaks, Franconia and South County district stations.
The proposed budget — which was scaled back considerably in response to the COVID-19 pandemic — maintains an increase of $1.77 million to support the first full year of the program.
Funding is expected to remain for 416 cameras that will be issued to the Reston, Mason and Mt. Vernon police stations, according to county budget documents.
“The funding supports the maintenance of the program implemented in FY 2020 but does not expand the program as originally planned.”
In late 2019, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved $4 million to begin implementation of the program.
Officers in the Reston District Station were expected to receive the cameras next month.
Photo via FCPD
As of 3:40 p.m. today, only Springvale Road is closed due to water in the roadway.
Earlier:
As storms and high winds continue to roll into the region, several local roads are closed.
Currently, the intersection at Hunter Mill Road and Hunter Station Road is closed due to water in the roadway.
Additionally, Hunter Station Road is also closed between Hunter Mill Roa and Lawyers Road due to flooding.
The Fairfax County Police Department stated that the closures were caused by last night’s wind and rain.
Photo via FCPD
This story will be updated.
Charges are pending against two men who police believe attempted to rob an Exxon gas station in Reston on Monday (April 6).
Police believe that two men, who have not been identified, threatened a gas station employee with a machete and demanded cash at the Exxon on 11808 Baron Cameron Avenue. The employee was able to take control of the weapon.
The men attempted to escape but were found after a helicopter-assisted search.
The Fairfax County Police Department says that charges are pending “further investigation.”
Image via Google Maps
A bicyclist was robbed as he riding on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail over Fairfax County Parkway last week, police said.
Stephen Rogata, 23, of Great Falls, was arrested and charged with attempted robbery and misdemeanor destruction of property on April 3 at around 3:27 p.m.
Police believe Rogata grabbed the man’s bicycle from the back. Rogata fled the scene after the victim, who suffered from minor injuries, called out for help.
Rogata is being held without bond. Information about the incident was released today (Monday).
Vote on Herndon HS Monopole Delayed — “The Fairfax County Planning Commission voted Wednesday, March 4, to postpone its decision on whether to approve an application to install a telecommunications monopole on the grounds of Herndon High School until later in the month.” [Reston Patch]
New Mobile Forensics Lab for Fairfax County Police — “Fairfax County police can potentially identify murder suspects much quicker with their new mobile forensics lab. Maj. Christian Quinn said the idea to build the mobile lab started at a crime scene in 2017.” [NBC Washington]
Dulles Customs and Border Protection Seize Date Rape Drug Shipment — “U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers on Monday seized five large bottles of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) that arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport in international mail from China. The DEA says GBL is known as a precursor of date rape drug gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB).” [Fairfax County Times]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Voting Underway for Reston Association Election — The last day to vote is April 3 for RA’s 2020 election for the Board of Directors. Voting information is available online. [Reston Association]
Charges Pending for Home Burglary — A burglary was reported on the 1600 block of Hiddenbrook Drive on Feb. 29 at around 3:44 a.m. The homeowners said they were awakened by the sound of knocking on their front door. Two juveniles were located a short distance away. Charges are pending. [Fairfax County Police Department]
South Lakes Girls Finish Second — “Senior Hannah Waller finished her final season on the South Lakes High School girls indoor track team as a state champion, finishing first in the 55 meters with a winning time of 6.95. This effort helped to lift the South Lakes girls indoor track team to its third consecutive second place finish Feb. 28-29, at the 6A State Championships, at the Boo Williams Sportsplex.” [Reston Patch]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Burglary Reported on Friday — A burglar broke into a home on the 1500 block of Cameron Crescent Drive on Friday and stole personal property. Information about the incident was released yesterday. [Fairfax County Police Department]
High Honors for School Psychology Services — “Fairfax County Public Schools School Psychology Services has been recognized in the Excellence in School Psychological Services Recognition Program with an Exemplary rating from the National Association of School Psychologists. FCPS was the only school district in the U.S. to receive an Exemplary rating, the highest rating available.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
County Board to Dive into Budget — The county executive will present his budget proposal to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a meeting today (Tuesday). The meeting will be televised on Channel 16 and streamed live online. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
The Fairfax County Police Department is conducting an investigation into the Lake Anne Condominium Association.
A police spokesperson told Reston Now that the police department cannot provide any further information on the investigation because it is an ongoing case.
“We have received a report and currently we do have an investigation,” said police spokesperson Erica Webb.
Sources who are aware of the investigation told Reston Now that the review concerns the board’s past financial transactions and does not involve the board’s current operations. The investigation is not directed at any one individual, sources said.
On Feb. 18, The Connection published an opinion piece by John Lovaas on the subject.
In late 2019, three new board members were elected to the five-member body. Those members — including new president Senzel Schaefer — said there were committed to improving financial management practices and prioritizing maintenance and repairs to the Lake Anne Village Center.
Schaefer said that the association is complying with law enforcement requests for the results of an operational audit the board launched last month.
Photo via vantagehil/Flickr
Update: Kunicki has been found and is safe, according to police.
Local police are searching for a woman who was last seen in the 14000 block of North Point Village Center.
Maggie Kunicki, 49, was last seen on Saturday, Feb. 22. The Fairfax County Police Department issued the following description for Kunicki:
“She is 5’7″, 145lbs, green eyes, bro hair, white long sleeve shirt and dark pants. Endangered due to mental and/or physical health conditions,” police said.
Anyone with information should call 703-691-2131.
Photo via Fairfax County Police Department
In-person Absentee Voting Underway — This past weekend, in-person absentee voting opened at 13 locations in the county. Locally, the Herndon Fortnightly Library will be open Mondays through Fridays from 3-7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. [Fairfax County Government]
Library Coalition Proposes County Plan — “The Coalition to Expand Library Access formally launched its “It’s About Time” campaign with an information meeting for community groups on Feb. 6 at the George Mason Regional Library in Annandale.” [Fairfax County Times]
County Police Mourns Passing of K9 — The Fairfax County Police Department is remembering K9 Doby, the department’s “four-legged brother” who died unexpectedly while responding to an armed robbery. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
A Herndon resident was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing his 53-year-old mother earlier today (Saturday), police said.
Police arrested Eric Turcios, 28, in connection with the shooting of Blanco Turcios. She was found with multiple gunshot wounds to her upper body on the 12800 block of Lady Fairfax Circle at around 6 a.m. today. She was pronounced dead on the scene.
An investigation on the events that lead to the shooting is underway. Turcios was arrested by Prince William County Police. A firearm, which is believed to be his, was also recovered at the time of the arrest.
Detectives are asking for anyone with information about this event to contact the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 4. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – Type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and by web – Click HERE. Download our Mobile tip411 App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 dollars if their information leads to an arrest.
Photo via Fairfax County Police Department
