Man Accused Of Chasing Woman On W&OD Trail In Falls Church

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Falls Church Police arrested and charged a man who allegedly chased a woman Washington and Old Dominion Trail. Similar incidents involving a person following individuals on the trail have been reported to police.

Officers responded to the Grove Avenue and the W&OD Trail for a report of a person pursuing a woman on the trail. The woman reported a man in a red hooded sweatshirt suddenly stopped his vehicle and ran after her. She changed direction several times, but he continued the chase. She ran to her home and called police.

After receiving a description of the man and his vehicle, officers pulled over the vehicle. The driver confirmed the incident on the trail and was arrested. Lamar Dontae McCarthy, 23, of Stafford, was charged with assault. Police say he was the same suspect in two previous incidents. He is being held in the Arlington County Adult Detention Center.

The public was previously notified about other incidents on the trail. Police received a report about man following a woman "in a suspicious manner" on the W&OD trail and into a neighborhood around 3:10 p.m. on Monday, May 4. The woman who reported the encounter was not injured.

The suspect in this incident was described as a black man in his early 20s wearing a red hoodie sweatshirt and red sweat pants. Police say similar incidents happened around 1 p.m. on April 18 and April 21 where the person followed individuals off the trail and into neighborhoods. The person did not make verbal or physical contact with the individuals who reported the incidents.

Police ask anyone with additional information to call Falls Church Police at 703-241-5050 or police@fallschurchva.gov.

Residents are encouraged to follow these tips from police when using walking trails:

• Go walking or jogging with another member of your household.
• Don’t use headphones so you can be better aware of your surroundings.
• Always walk in well-lighted areas.
• Avoid the use of short cuts.
• After dark, keep away from large bushes or doorways where someone could be lurking.
• Always stay near the curb.
• If someone in a vehicle stops and asks for directions, answer from a distance. Do not approach the vehicle.
• If followed, go immediately to an area with lights and people. If needed, turn around and walk in the opposite direction, your follower will also have to reverse directions.
• Do not display cash openly, especially when leaving an ATM.