Police Looking at Fifth Nighttime Attack of a Woman in Arlington

SKETCH released by Arlington County Police in earlier attack. Map shows locations of attacks; click on each location for more information.

Arlington County Police are investigating an attack of a woman Thursday night in what could be the fifth such attack by one suspect, although police said this week they aren’t ready to say so.

The latest incident took place in the 800 block of S. Frederick Street in Arlington. At approximately 10:30 p.m., an unknown male subject carrying a stick, grabbed a female victim’s wrist and attempted to drag her into the woods.

The suspect fled with the victim’s cell phone after she screamed for help, police said.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his 20s, approximately 5’5” tall, with a slim build and short hair. He was wearing black pants and a black shirt at the time of the incident, police said.

The description in the other four attacks has been that of a Hispanic man under 5’10” and police also note that it’s been difficult for victims to describe their attacker or attackers because he is sneaking up on them and the attacks have been at night.

Before Thursday night, 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.

So far, each of the victims has thwarted attacks by yelling and kicking the suspect.

“We’re looking to see if that’s a possibility,” Dustin Sternbeck, spokesman for the Arlington County Police, said earlier this week when asked if police are considering there is a serial attacker on the loose. “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 have been within a 5-mile radius (see map) and started Friday, July 23; the latest attack was Thursday night.

Here are the dates, times and locations of the other 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, under 5’10” tall.

Sternbeck reminds residents 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