Captain Paul Larson, Commander of the 3rd Police District, provides this monthly report via email. You can request that your address be added to the list by emailing him at plarso@arlingtonva.us, or read it on the Barcroft Chat List.

Subject: February Crime report

Everyone:

Here is the crime information for the month of February. There are several areas of concern that have popped up over the course of a few weeks. Let's get started.

Columbia Forest and Columbia Heights West have had several issues in February. There were 11 cars broken into in February and two robberies that are cause for concern. The cars that were broken into were primarily parked in the 5000 - 5200 blocks of S. 8th Rd. It also extends down Dinwiddie to Columbia Pike. Additionally, there were 4 in the area around S. Dinwiddie and S. 10th St. We are addressing this issue, but there is not a specific time of day or day of week we can concentrate our resources.

On the map I have attached, you will also notice 3 sexual assaults that took place in February in the same area. Let me calm the fears now by saying these cases are not related, all the suspects have been identified and they were either family related or a date rape situation.

There were also 2 robberies along Columbia Pike between Four Mile Run Dr. and S. Greenbrier St. These robberies are not related. One of the robberies is in the shopping center at 5001 Columbia Pike. Two suspects walk up to the victim and demand money. The victim grabbed a stick and fended off his would be robbers. A short time later, patrol officers located the two suspects and arrested them. A second robbery started at the 7-11 at Columbia Pike and S. Dinwiddie St. The suspect asked the victim for a ride and the victim agreed. As they left the parking lot, the suspect produced a knife and robbed the victim of cash. The victim clearly did not listen to his mother about picking up strangers!

Douglas Park has has a few things going on around the intersection of S. George Mason Dr. and S. Four Mile Run Dr. Four cars have been stolen and a burglary. The burglary happened at the Barcroft Sports Complex and that case has been closed with an arrest. Cars being stolen along the Four Mile Run Dr. corridor have been a traditional problem. The numbers have decreased over time, however, any number is a cause for concern. The numbers are still low compared to years past, but we still have the problem, just on a smaller scale.

In Nauck, we have noticed a pattern of residential burglaries along the Walter Reed Dr. corridor. The suspect breaks out a basement window and steals cash, jewelry and anything else he can easily carry. Most of these burglaries occur during the daytime hours. Please keep an eye out during the day. If you something suspicious please call either 703-558-2222 or 911 if it is an emergency.

In Arlington Heights there was a gang altercation that occurred in the 700 block of S. Irving St. Detectives are still investigating this case and it is my hope that the case will be closed soon. A similar incident happened in Glencarlyn when 4 gang members jumped another gang member in the 5800 block of S. 4th St. All the suspects have been arrested in this case. The two cases are not related.

In general, we are gearing up for the warm weather months. The Third District Team is getting ready to hit the bike paths by doing some maintenance to their bicycles. They plan on riding the bike paths as soon as the weather becomes a little more consistent. On a lighter note, Officer Matt Owens of the Third District Team won the Police Department weight loss competition. Matt lost over 30 pounds. He did it by working out twice a day and staying away from Guiness Stout. Great job to Matt!

If anyone has any questions or concerns please contact me.

Captain Paul Larson
Third District Commander
Arlington County Police Department
1425 North Courthouse Road
Arlington, Virginia 22201
703-228-4097
plarso@arlingtonva.us

Map for February (.pdf format)

For a longer perspective, here are previous crime reports. The numbers were usually worse!

This page was revised on: March 18, 2006.