Arrest Made In Burglary, Sexual Assault Incident In Penrose

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington County Police arrested a Waldorf, Md., man early Tuesday morning in connection with a sexual assault and residential burglary that occurred Friday in the Penrose neighborhood, according to a police release.

Officers were dispatched around 12:33 a.m. on Friday for the report of unknown trouble in the 2500 block of Arlington Boulevard. They learned that a stranger had begun touching a woman inappropriately after he got into her residence through a window. The victim screamed, which caused the man to leave.

Police searched the area with help from the Fairfax County Police Helicopter Unit, but the suspect was not found.

ACPD was conducting surveillance around 12:58 a.m. Tuesday in the area of the original incident when officers noticed a man acting suspiciously as he entered the backyard of residences. As additional units arrived on the scene, the man tried to flee the area in a vehicle. Officers stopped the vehicle and took him into custody.

A search of the area revealed that several window screens had been cut and removed from their frames, including at the address of the original incident.

Police arrested Alijah Hall, 26, of Waldorf, Md., and charged him with burglary: break and enter at night with intent to commit a felony or larceny and possession of burglarious tools. He is being held without bond at the Arlington County Detention Facility.

Authorities ask anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective J. McGrath at 703-228-4244 or jmcgra@arlingtonva.us. The public may also submit information to the Arlington County Police Tip Line at ACPDTipline@arlingtonva.us or anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).