A 41-year-old Herndon resident is facing an assault charge for a fight that ended in him reportedly stabbing another man.
According to a weekly crime report released yesterday (Wednesday), the Herndon Police Department has taken out a warrant for aggravated assault against Dennis Cruz Antunez for the stabbing, which occurred on Aug. 26 in the 1000 block of Elden Street.
Police say the incident started as a “verbal altercation” between the suspect and the male victim, who was transported to Reston Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Herndon police also recently arrested a 21-year-old man for a 2019 rape.
“Oscar Martinez Alarcon, 21, of Herndon, was arrested for the forcible rape of a juvenile victim whom he met via social media,” the police report says. “He was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where he was held without bond.”
According to police, the incident occurred on Feb. 12, 2019 in the 1200 block of Elden Street. Martinez Alarcon was arrested on Aug. 23.
The HPD did not return a request for comment from Reston Now on what led to the arrest and whether there might be any additional victims by publication time.
Other major incidents in the weekly crime report include three cases from Aug. 24: another verbal argument that escalated into a stabbing on Elden Street and two robberies in the 1200 block of Springtide Place.
Labeled as an aggravated assault, the stabbing occurred in the 1100 block of Elden Street. The victim was reportedly punched and stabbed. Police say they have identified the suspect, but the case remains under investigation.
In one of the robberies, the victim reported that he was assaulted and had his wallet stolen “by a subject that is known to him.” In the other, the victim was assaulted and had his wallet and “other personal property” stolen by two men.
According to the report, police have identified the subjects in both cases, which are still under investigation.
The Town of Herndon also saw 11 reportable traffic crashes during the week of Aug. 23-29, which are defined by Virginia State Police as incidents that result in injury or at least $1,500 in property damages.
From drivers seeking to safely exit driveways to vehicles blocking garbage cans and mailboxes, parking is becoming a headache for Herndon residents, who raise complaints only to be told that police have no way to address those issues.
That could soon change.
The Herndon Town Council is now considering a newly proposed ordinance that would prohibit parking in front of or within 10 feet of a driveway, imposing a $50 fine for violations.
Several council members, however, raised concerns about moving forward without more information.
“It’s a safety issue,” Herndon Police Chief Maggie DeBoard said Wednesday (Aug. 4) at a town council work session. “So, when you have people that can park right next to the end of the driveway, it severely limits visibility when somebody’s pulling out or trying to get around, especially in some of the narrowed streets we have here in Herndon.”
The topic will be open for public comment when the town council meets this coming Tuesday (Aug. 10), allowing community members to share their concerns and needs, including how the change would affect their ability to get parking.
Town officials noted that addressing parking visibility and access issues could leave people without anywhere to park.
“To solve that issue, are we creating another problem?” Councilmember Pradip Dhakal said.
Town officials suggested that the reported problems stem in part from Herndon’s overall outdated parking ordinance, which even allows people to park in town streets and use a ride-hailing app like Uber to get to Dulles International Airport, for example.
The town began reviewing its ordinance two years ago after seeing neighboring governments update their parking policies, but the effort was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, DeBoard said.
According to a staff report, the review was put on hold when the town’s priorities shifted at the beginning of the pandemic, but it has been revived now that Herndon is starting to return to more normal town operations.
While an ordinance overhaul could be presented in September, town management raised the question of parked vehicles blocking driveways in residential neighborhoods as a piecemeal issue, describing it as a critical situation.
Councilmember Signe Friedrichs noted that emergency vehicles such as fire trucks can have trouble navigating streets because of parked automobiles.
“I can’t tell you how many times I have nearly gotten hit by someone coming out of one of their driveways or trying to get…onto Ferndale Avenue or onto Jorss Place,” she said. “And coming out of Burwick Drive, I’m always very close to getting hit. I have to pull all the way out.”
Mayor Sheila Olem suggested that spending too much time studying the issue could leave pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers in unnecessary danger.
“No one is being considerate of anyone’s need to be able to back out of their driveway,” Olem said.
Graphic via Town of Herndon
(Updated at 3:25 p.m.) Herndon Police officers are investigating reports that gun shots were fired in the 900 block of Alabama Drive, the department says.
According to the Herndon Police Department, the incident involves a dark gray Dodge SUV, possibly the Journey model, with “scraping along rear passenger door.”
Police are advising the public to stay away from the area. No ambulance or medical services have been requested so far, the department tells Reston Now.
Anyone who might have information about the incident can contact 703-435-6846.
UPDATE: Vehicle is now described as a Dodge SUV (possibly "Journey"), dark gray, scraping along rear passenger door. #herndonpd
— Herndon Police (@HerndonPolice) August 2, 2021
Herndon resident Nathaniel Haldenstein, 24, has been charged with second-degree murder after police found a body last night, the Herndon Police Department announced today (Monday).
The police department said at 8:38 p.m. yesterday (Sunday) that officers were in the 100 block of Laurel Way investigating what appeared to be a homicide where one victim had died.
“A person of interest is in custody,” the HPD said at that time. “Preliminary investigation indicates there is no threat to public. Avoid area.”
According to Herndon police, officers received a call just before 5 p.m. on Sunday (July 18) requesting that they conduct a welfare check for Haldenstein. They initially cleared the scene but returned around 7:30 p.m. after getting another call that prompted a second welfare check.
“While speaking with Haldenstein, he made comments that prompted officers to check one of the bedrooms, where officers discovered one male victim deceased,” the HPD said. “Haldenstein was transported to Reston Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.”
After being released from the hospital, Haldenstein was taken to HPD headquarters and arrested after being interviewed by detectives. He is currently being held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.
Virginia Declares State of Emergency Over Gas Supplies — Gov. Ralph Northam gave the state and local governments increased flexibility and funding yesterday (Tuesday) after a ransomware attack disrupted the Colonial Pipeline, which provides 45% of the East Coast’s gasoline supply. 7.5% of the state’s 3,880 gas stations reported running out of fuel, a shortage primarily attributed to panic buying. [WTOP]
ABC Stores Will Resume Pre-Pandemic Hours on Friday — “After more than a year of reduced operating hours in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) stores will return to pre-pandemic operating hours on May 14, 2021. All stores will open by 10 a.m. every day, apart from some stores which regularly open later on Sundays…Closing times vary by store.” [Virginia ABC]
Herndon Robbery Suspect Still Unidentified — An armed robbery of a business in the 1000 block of Elden Street on Thursday (May 6) is still under investigation. Police say “an unknown subject” entered the business shortly before 10 a.m., displayed a weapon, and demanded money. The business and amount of money taken have not been disclosed. [Herndon Police Department]
Fairfax County Warns About “Phone Spoofing” Scam — Multiple Fairfax County residents have reported receiving calls from 703-324-1000 saying that their data has been compromised and they need to set up fraud protection. While the number appears to be from the MyFairfax online portal, it is a scam, and the county says people should not call any secondary number or give out their personal or county information. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
The Herndon Police Department is asking the public to avoid the Dulles Park area of Elden Street while officers conduct an active investigation.
Police say an armed robbery occured in the 1000 block of Elden Street shortly before 10 a.m.
“Please avoid the area so that officers may conduct a thorough investigation,” the HPD said.
UPDATE: HPD continues to investigate an armed robbery that occurred shortly before 10 am in the 1000-blk of Elden. Please avoid the area while police conduct their investigation. Updates as available. #herndonpd
— Herndon Police (@HerndonPolice) May 6, 2021
Fairfax County Reconfigures COVID-19 Call Center — “The Health Department has implemented a new call center system to better meet the needs of our residents during the upcoming transition to Phase 2 and beyond. As we work to implement this new system, wait times for callers may be longer than expected.” [Fairfax County Health Department]
Virginia Woman Died After Receiving Johnson & Johnson Vaccine — “Virginia health officials say a woman who died a few weeks after receiving the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is among six cases nationwide that prompted a pause in use of the one-dose shots. The woman’s death last month had similarities to the blood-clotting problem that halted distribution of the vaccine Tuesday, said Dr. Danny Avula, the state’s vaccination coordinator.” [Inside NoVA]
U.S. Labor Secretary Visits Reston Business — Labor Secretary Marty Walsh held a discussion at Vantage Point Consulting’s Reston office on Friday (April 9) to talk about President Biden’s jobs plan and how it could help recent veterans and others transition back into the workforce. Vantage Point provides career readiness services and is owned by a veteran. [Patch]
Herndon Police Welcomes Support Dog — “Herndon Police Department is proud to announce K9 Bragg has joined the family, serving as HPD’s first certified facility dog. Bragg, a Labrador Retriever, was graciously gifted to HPD from Mutts With A Mission, a 501(c)(3) based in Portsmouth, VA, that specializes in training dogs to serve the needs of first responders, veterans, and wounded warriors.” [Herndon Police/Facebook]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Since Virginia’s new law barring the use of mobile phones while driving went into effect on Jan. 1, local police have written hundreds of citations.
The Fairfax County Police Department has issued “over 415 tickets” related to violations of the hands-free law since the new year.
The Herndon Police Department tells Reston Now that its officers initially issued warnings but did not ticket motorists for violating the law, which prohibits people from holding a handheld communications device while driving a moving vehicle on Virginia highways.
“The first two months of 2021 saw our patrol officers issuing warnings to motorists that were observed in violation of the law,” a Herndon Police spokesperson wrote. “Our goal was to inform as many people as possible of the change in laws.”
However, Herndon Police began issuing citations on March 1, and since then, they have written 43 citations for motorists violating the law.
The state law notes that violations are punishable by a fine of $125 for the first offense and $250 for any subsequent offenses.
The law was technically enacted on July 1, 2020, but was not effective until six months later so that a public messaging campaign could be established and law enforcement could be trained on how to enforce it.
There are few notable expectations to the rule, including emergency vehicle operators performing official duties, drivers who are lawfully parked, and someone using their phone to report an emergency.
While it is illegal to hold a mobile phone while driving, it remains legal to talk on a phone provided it is not in the driver’s hand.
According to Drive Smart Virginia, nearly 15% of all fatal crashes in 2020 involved distracted driving.
Preliminary Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles data indicates that Fairfax County had the most fatalities related to distracted driving in the state last year, as well as the most injuries resulting from distracted driving.
Photo via Alexandre Boucher/Unsplash
Local police have made a second arrest in the shooting death of a Reston man in late November of last year.
Earlier this week, the Herndon Police Department arrested and charged Jameel Byrd, 20, of Herndon on charges of second-degree murder and robbery.
Byrd’s brother — Jason Byrd, 20, of Herndon — was arrested in November on charges on second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Police believe the brothers shot and killed Julian Rashad Martin, a 30-year-old resident, near the 1000 block of Queens Court.
The case remains under investigation.
Photo via Herndon Police Department
Herndon Police Department Seeks System Engineer — The town’s police department is searching for a police systems engineer to join its team. Professional experience in cybersecurity and handling of confidential information is preferred. [HPD]
Voting Underway for Reston Association Election — Voting is underway for the board election is open through April 2 at 5 p.m. Property owners and renters can cast their vote in the election online. [RA]
Federal Lawsuit Filed Against Fairfax County Police Department — “A Black man who was Tasered and punched by a White Fairfax County police officer without apparent provocation in 2020 filed a federal lawsuit Monday claiming his civil rights were violated, he was subject to excessive force, and he was falsely arrested.” [The Washington Post]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Residents Can Remove Themselves from County Waitlist — The county has launched a new online tool that allows residents to remove themselves from the county’s vaccine registration waitlist. [Fairfax County Government]
Herndon Police Investigate Series of Car Robberies — In the last week of February, the Herndon Police Department received reports of 15 vehicles being entered illegally. In these cases, only one vehicle showed signs of forced entry. [HPD]
Reston Association Board Election is Underway — This year, four candidates are vying for two at-large seats on the board. Each spring, the organization conducts elections to fill vacant seats on its nine-member board. [Reston Patch]
Photo by Doug Errett/Twitter
Updated at 3 p.m. with updated information about the charge against Clark. The Herndon Police Department previously misstated Clark was charged with forcible rape
A Herndon man was arrested in connection with the rape of a juvenile victim, according to the Herndon Police Department.
Dario Alfonso Figueroa Rodas, 41, was arrested on Jan. 27, according to information released by the police department today.
HPD said that the victim was known to Rodas, who was arrested on the 1200 block of Springtide Place.
In an unrelated case, HPD also arrested a Manassas man on four felony counts of taking indecent liberties with a child by a person in a custodial or supervisory relationship.
Daniel Warren Clark, 43, was arrested on Jan. 26 in Manassas. HPD made the arrest after conducting an investigation with the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce.
Both men are currently being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond.
A driver who hit and injured a pedestrian in the 300 block of Elden Street last month has not been cited for any wrongdoing, according to the Herndon Police Department.
After an investigation into the incident, which happened on Jan. 16, police concluded the driver struck the pedestrian but was not at fault. HPD did not release any other information about the investigation.
The pedestrian was taken to the hospital and was in critical condition.
An HPD spokesperson later told Reston Now that the pedestrian sustained injuries that were not life-threatening. The driver remained on the scene at the time of the incident. No charges were filed against the driver.
Great Falls Resident Arrested and Charged with Child Pornography Incidents — Stefan Julian Koza, 33, was arrested by the Herndon Police Department on five felony counts of possession of child pornography and five felony counts of distribution of child pornography. The arrest was made on Dec. 2. [HPD]
Reston Company Merges with Fairfax-based Company — Reston-based Octo Consulting Group, Inc. has announced a deal to combine with Fairfax-based Sevatec Inc. [Washington Business Journal]
Metro Monitors Service Impact of Weather Storm — “Metro is closely monitoring a winter storm that may impact travel conditions Wednesday. Based on the current forecast, Metrobus customers may experience delays or detours as outlined in Metro’s ‘light snow plan.'”[Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Two men were arrested in connection with the robbery of a 7-Eleven (21944 Cascades Parkway) in Sterling.
Marvin R. Garcia- Dominguez, 27, and Carlos A. Centeno-Torres, 29, were arrested over the weekend with the help of the Herndon Police Department.
Police believe one of the men pepper-sprayed an employee during the incident after pushing him behind the counter of the 7-11 in Sterling on Dec. 4. They left with an undisclosed amount of cash.
According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, both men were charged in connection with a similar robbery that happened on Dec. 2 in the Town of Herndon. HPD did not immediately release information about that incident.
Both Garcia-Dominguez and Centeno-Torres remain held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.Â
Photo via LCSO
