Arlington Police Investigating Whether Attacks Are Linked

After a 29-year-old woman was attacked from behind Saturday night in Arlington, with a pillow case thrown over her head near Lyon Village Park, Arlington County Police are investigating whether there is a serial attacker on the loose.

So far the victims have thwarted attacks by yelling and kicking the suspect.

“We’re looking to see if that’s a possibility,” said Dustin Sternbeck, spokesman for the Arlington County Police. “We’re not willing to say it is right now. This is something out of the ordinary for Arlington.”

If you become the victim of an attack or an attempted attack or any emergency at all: “First and foremost, dial 9-1-1 immediately,” he said. “It helps us initiate the investigation immediately.”

The area of the attacks are within a 5-mile radius and started Friday, July 23; the latest attack was Saturday.

Here are the dates, times and locations of the possibly linked attacks, according to police:

• Saturday, Aug. 8, 2:45 a.m.: 1900 block of N. Highland Street
• Friday, July 31, 8:45 p.m.: Glencarlyn Park area of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail
• Saturday, July 24, 11:26 p.m.: 4300 N. Pershing Drive
• Friday, July 23, 8:45 p.m., 300 block of S. Harrison Street

The suspect or suspects is described as a Hispanic man and under 5’10” tall. Since the attacks have occurred at night and the suspect comes up from behind, victims may not be getting as good of a description as possible for him, Sternbeck said.

Sternbeck said that the attacker is coming after women after the sun sets “hiding under cover of night or darkness.”

Sternbeck said that anyone out at night should take precautions: Travel with friends and “trust your instincts.”

Also read:

• Police Release Sketch of Suspect in W&OD Trail Attempted Sex Assault
• Shirlington Bike Trail Robbery Thwarted: Police
• Predator on the Loose? More Assaults Reported in Arlington