The Herndon Police Department is investigating an attempted abduction that took place in early September on the 900 block of Locust Street.
Police said a woman was walking home at around 8:30 p.m. on September 4 when a man tried to convince her to leave the area with him. When she refused, the man grabbed her and tried to lead her away. She escaped and ran away from the man.
The suspect then approached the woman a second time and attempted to carry her away. A witness intervened, prompting the man to leave the area to an unknown location.
The police department issued the following description of the suspect:
The suspect is a Hispanic male, 20-23 years old, with short, black hair, facial hair, a black t-shirt, khaki/light brown shorts, and off-white shoes.
The investigation is ongoing.
File photo
‘Dog Days of Summer’ is today — Dogs and their owners can frolic in the pavilion as it’s transformed into an off-leash play area from 4-7 p.m. The dog days of summer event will take place every Wednesday through September 26 at the Reston Town Center pavilion. [Reston Town Center]
Florence is coming — Invited or not, Hurricane Florence continues to barrel its way towards us. Four to eight inches are expected to begin late Thursday into early Friday. Here’s what you need to know to prepare. [Fairfax County Government]
Crime update in Herndon — In early September, Jose Quintanilla Romero, 25, of Herndon, was arrested on five felony accounts of sexual abuse against a victim known to him. In a separate incident, a man said he was robbed by several suspects on September 6 near the 600 block of Center Street around 11 p.m. [Herndon Police Department]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
Walmart Labs adds jobs — The company is planning to double its workforce at its Reston office and is seeking software engineers and data scientists to build new platforms for the company. [DC Inno]
Voting now open for Reston Community Center preference poll — Five candidates are running for three positions on the nine-member Board of Governors. A candidates’ forum will be held tonight at 6:30 p.m. at RCC Hunters Woods. [Reston Community Center]
Two men arrested in connection with a string of larcenies — “Two northern Virginia men are in custody after a multi-jurisdictional investigation, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office authorities announced Friday afternoon. The men, Edward L. Campbell, Jr., 25, of Ashburn, and Craig Nipper-Duval, 22, of Herndon, are suspected of being involved in a rash of larcenies from vehicles in Loudoun County and the Town of Herndon.” [Loudoun Times-Mirror]
Flooding threat in Northern Virginia late in the week — “Hurricane Florence is expected to become a major hurricane on Monday as Virginia prepares for a major flooding threat later this week. As of 5 a.m. Monday, Florence was 625 miles southeast of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph. Rapid strengthening is expected, and Florence could become a major hurricane Monday morning. It is expected to remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane through Thursday.” [Inside NOVA]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
A man fired a gunshot at a bicyclist in Herndon on Wednesday (September 5) at around 10:40 p.m., according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
Local police are investigating the incident, which occurred on the 2400 block of Centreville Road in Herndon.
Police said the victim, who was not hit, knew the man who fired the gun. The victim left the area on his bicycle after a “physical altercation” with the man, according to police.
The suspect then drove a car next to him on Centreville road and fired at the bicyclist from inside the car. The suspect then drove away. No arrests have been made.
File photo
The deaths of a mother and her two children, who were found in a Herndon home Wednesday evening, are being investigated as a double murder and suicide, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
Noera Ayaz, 42, and her sons were found in the home on the 1000 block of Safa Street around 6:20 p.m. yesterday, according to reports received by Reston Now. The Washington Post also reported the identity of the woman, although the police department has not released the identities or relationships between any of the deceased.
Police believe Ayaz killed her two children and then killed herself. The findings are preliminary and an investigation is ongoing.
The incident was being investigated as a “domestic-related incident” and no threat to public safety was noted. The homeowner, the father of the two children, discovered the bodies when he arrived home Wednesday evening around 6:20 p.m. Police searched the home and found Ayaz upstairs with what police said appeared to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The family, who is Muslim, was active in the local Muslim community and the incident has shaken many local community members.
Ayaz was an accomplished attorney who fought for the rights of immigrants and women. During her early legal career, she worked at the law firm of Baker Botts, LLP, where she worked on intellectual property cases and represented Mulsim women with immigration issues.
She traveled across the world and earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Brown University. She received her law degree from Columbia Law School. In the local community, Ayaz was known for her work as the director of Women in Islam, Inc., an organization that aimed to address issues linked to the Muslim community and build understanding across cultural boundaries.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, police said. Crime scene detectives searched the home to gather information about the incident after executing a search warrant, police said. Detectives continue their investigation to determine what led to the shooting.
No other information was immediately available.
Photos via FCPD
Cash was taken from two businesses over the weekend. On Saturday (July 14), an employee entered Ariake Restaurant (12184 State Route 4721) around 11:39 p.m. and discovered the door was unlocked and the cash register was missing.
At around 12:07 a.m. the next day, officers discovered a broke window on the storefront of Kung Fu Tea in Hunters Woods Plaza. The owner confirmed an undisclosed amount of cash was taken, along with a small cash box.
The Fairfax County Police Department also reported the following incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
13300 block of Apgar Place, cell phone and sunglasses from vehicle
2400 block of Centreville Road, cell phone from business
2300 block of Hunters Woods Plaza, liquor from business
2300 block of Hunters Woods Plaza, liquor from business
11900 block of Democracy Drive, wallet from business
12000 block of Market Street, purse from business
STOLEN VEHICLES:
None reported
Meanwhile. a bank robbery at BB&T in Herndon remains under investigation. No arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
A gas station clerk was killed in a possible robbery attempt in Herndon on Wednesday (July 4).
According to Fairfax County Police, Resham Bajgain, 40, of Herndon, was killed inside the Sunoco where he worked in the Franklin Farms Shopping Center (13348 Franklin Farm Road).
Police responded to the scene within three minutes of receiving the report at 1:15 a.m. Officers spotted a person matching the description of the suspect in the parking lot. Mohamed Abdullahi, 19, of Herndon, was arrested and charged with murder.
Police are seeking information about the incident, especially about the driver of a Pontiac GTO that was near the gas station around the time of the murder.
Abdullahi is being held at the adult detention center without bond.
Anyone with information should call the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800 or text “TIP187” plus your message to 274637.
Photo via FCPD
Gun violence awareness —Â Supporters of gun violence awareness day congregated at the Wiehle-Reston East Station on Saturday to participate in the fourth annual “Wear Orange Gun Violence Prevention Rally in Old Town Alexandria. [Twitter]
Herndon stabbing under investigation — Denis Hernandez, 21, was arrested in connecting with a stabbing late last week. The victim, who has not been identified, was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. [Local DVM]
Dabbling in pickleball — Pickleball is becoming a paddle sport for some Reston Association members. This video offers a basic overview of the sport (yes, sport!). [Reston Today]
Photo by Ruth Sievers
Good news for Caps fans — “On the Silver Line, the last train will leave Metro Center at 12:27 a.m. heading to Largo Town Center and at 12:21 a.m. heading to Wiehle-Reston East… Game 3 starts at 8 p.m. and Metro’s regular closing time is 11:30 p.m., but Metro’s CEO Paul Wiedefeld announced that Metrorail will remain open for an additional hour thanks to Exelon and Pepco.” [WTOP]
Police investigate double homicide near Town of Herndon — “The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double homicide at a café in Sterling near the Loudoun County and the Town of Herndon line. Around 1:45 a.m. Monday Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the Pharaoh Café located in the 46000 block of Old Ox Road for a report of a shooting. Two victims lost their lives at the scene. A person of interest attempting to leave the area was detained by deputies responding to the scene.” [Loudoun County Sherriff’s Office]
Absorbing Amazon headquarters in an area with gridlock and high housing costs —Â “Northern Virginia, the District and Montgomery County are among the 20Â finalists. Amazon may narrow the list further in coming months and is expected to decide by the end of the year… But many residents fear that winning the prize would actually exacerbate all the things they hate about living in the region: horrendous traffic, expensive housing, crowded schools and gentrification.” [The Washington Post]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
Local police have identified a man found dead in Fairfax Station on Wednesday as Michael Cooker, 30, of Herndon.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, Cooker was found on the 6500 block of Colchester Road around 6:49 a.m. on Wednesday. A passerby saw a man laying on the side of the road and alerted police.
Police are investigating the incident as a homicide. Cooker sustained upper body trauma. No weapons were found on the scene.
An autopsy, which will be conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, will determine the exact cause and manner of death.
Anyone with information should contact the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800 or via text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES (274637), by calling 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or 703-691-2131.
Photo via FCPD
A 21-year-old Herndon man was killed by an acquaintance inside Vapology101, a vape store on the 10100 block of Colvin Run Road Thursday night.
Bao Hung Van was found dead at the scene around 7:40 p.m. on Thursday, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
The suspect, Manvinder Aulakh, 22, of McLean, was at the business when police arrived and was arrested without incident, police said.
Aulakh was charged with murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is being held at the adult detention center without bond.
Photo via FCPD
Flores Portillo, 18, of Herndon, was arrested on Sunday and charged in connection with a series of larcenies.
The Herndon Police Department arrested Portillo on the 500 block of Early Fall Court. He was charged with seven counts of felony larceny and three counts of misdemeanor larceny.
Police located him after they received a report from someone who had found property that was possibly stolen. Portillo is being held at the Fairfax Adult Detention Center without bond.
The Fairfax County Police Department also reported the following incidents in recent days:
Larcenies:
2500 Centreville Road, bicycle from business
2200 block of Hunters Woods Plaza, money from business.
12900 block of Highland Crossing Drive, alcohol from business.
1800 block of Michael Faraday Court, electronics from building.
1400 block of Northgate Square, tools from vehicle
1400 block of North Point Village Center, merchandise from business.
1800 block of Presidents Street, passport and money from vehicle.
1300 block of Rock Chapel Road, jewelry from residence
13700 block of Sayward Boulevard, wallet from vehicle
11400 South Lakes Drive (South Lakes HS), cell phone from the school.
11800 block of Spectrum Center, merchandise from business
11700 block of Sunset Hills Road, money from business
Stolen Vehicles:Â
None reported
Anyone with information about any of the crimes reported by FCPD should call 703-691-2131 or 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or text “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637).
A Herndon man was charged yesterday for having inappropriate sexual relations with a juvenile, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.
Marvin Ramirez-Ayala, 20, was charged with three counts of sending sexually explicit messages over social media and two counts of sexual assault. The relationship began last summer and only came to light this week, police said.
“There is no indication the suspect was involved with any other juveniles,” according to a statement from the office.
Ramirez-Ayala is being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on no bond.
Photo via Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office
Local police responded to two robberies at gas stations on Monday. In both cases, the suspect was described as a black man wearing dark clothing, police said.
An armed man robbed the Shell gas station on 12219 Leesburg Pike around 10:20 p.m. No one was injured in the incident, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
In a separate incident, an armed man robbed the Sunoco gas station at 1496 North Point Village Center around 11:05 p.m. The man displayed a handgun and took cash and other property from the business.
In another incident, local police continue to investigate the robbery of a Sunoco gas station in South Lakes. As we reported last week, An armed man robbed the gas station on 11190 South Lakes Drive last Tuesday.
Local police also arrested a juvenile for making an electronic threat against a police officer this month. The threat was made through social media on February 2, according to the police department. The department released no further information and a spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
The police department reported the following incidents:
LARCENIES:Â
1300 block of Cassia Street, property from residence
1600 block of Fieldthorn Drive, property from vehicle
STOLEN VEHICLES:Â
2100 block of Astoria Circle, 2002 Honda Accord
Herndon’s police department is investigating two robberies over the last week.
On Friday at around 10 p.m., a man armed with a gun demanded money from the cashier of a business on the 600 block of Elden Street.
He left with an undisclosed amount of money and several cigarette packs. The suspect is described as a white made of “average height and build.” He was wearing black clothing and a black ski mask, police said. The investigation is ongoing and police are investigating possible connections with other robberies being handled by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and the Fairfax County Police Department.
In a separate incident on Sunday, two suspects approached a victim in the lobby of a restaurant on the 13000 block of Worldgate Drive. The suspects took him outside, assaulted him and grabbed his sneakers.
Police located the suspects and transported them to the Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center, where they were held for robbery, abduction and malicious wounding.
Anyone with information about any of the crimes reported by FCPD should call 703-691-2131 or 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or text “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637).
Car parts were stolen from more than a dozen vehicles within a half-mile radius in the Herndon area late last week, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
The police department told Reston Now it’s unclear if the incidents, which happened between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, are connected.
“These incidents are still under investigation so we are unable to confirm or deny if they are connected,” a spokesperson for the police department wrote in a statement.
Police reported eight separate incidents where parts were taken from vehicles on the 13100 block of Fox Hunt Lane. On the 2300 block of Rolling Fork Circle, car parts were taken from another eight vehicles. One incident occurred on the 1200 block of Rolling Fork Circle.
Other larcenies from vehicles over the same time period include:
2300 block of Cavesson Court, wallet from vehicle.
11500 block of Embers Court, wallet from vehicle.
12500 block of Fox View Way, laptop from vehicle.
2200 block of Halter Lane, personal items from a vehicle.
12600 block of Noble Victory Lane, wallet from vehicle.
No other information was immediately available.
Anyone with information about any of the crimes reported by FCPD should call 703-691-2131 or 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or text “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637).
File photo.