Herndon Cyclist Attacks Middle School Children With Pepper Spray: Police

ASHBURN, VA — A Herndon man has been arrested after police say he sprayed a group of middle school children walking home from school on the Washington and Old Dominion Trail in Ashburn with pepper spray as he rode past on his bicycle.

Police were called to the 44200 block of Gloucester Parkway at around 4:05 p.m. on Aug. 31 to a report of an assault on the W&OD Trail, according to a report from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.

Police say a group of middle school-aged children were walking on the trail when a "cyclist approached and reportedly was holding a can in his hand," the report states.

"As the cyclist passed, he sprayed what the juveniles believed to be pepper spray in the direction of several of the children," the report continues. "Deputies located the cyclist in the area of the W&OD trail and Ruritan Circle."

Police arrested 47-year-old Marcos A. Catalan of Herndon on charges of malicious injury by use of caustic substance (two counts) and attempted malicious injury by caustic substance.

Two girls were taken to the hospital for treatment, and are expected to recover fully, the report states.

Catalan is being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.

Image via LCSO