Police: IRS Phone Scammer Fails To Fool Town Resident

The Town of Vienna Police Department is warning residents about phone scams, including those from people claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

A resident living in the 400 block of Dove Circle SW reported to police that at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, he received a telephone call from an individual claiming to work for the IRS, according to the weekly town police report. The caller told the resident he was being sued by the IRS and needed to call them at a number provided.

The resident did not return the call and was told by a town police officer to never give his personal information over the telephone.

The police remind residents to never send a payment or provide any personal information to anyone unless you have verified the validity of the caller.

The following incidents were reported Friday by Town of Vienna Police:

Fraud 15-009947 600 Block Pine Street, SE Between September 17 at 7:15 a.m. and October 12 at 12:48 p.m. A resident reported someone had obtained the information from her credit card and was able to obtain a Starbucks Credit Card without her knowledge. Both credit cards have been cancelled. This case is being investigated.

Fraud 15-009949 100 Block Center Street, North Between September 29 at 9:00 a.m. and October 12 at 2:12 p.m. A resident reported her elderly mother’s personal information had been used to make changes to her bank accounts without her knowledge. This case is being investigated.

Fraud 15-009983 900 Block Country Club Drive, NE Between October 01 at 12:00 p.m. and October 09 at 12 p.m. A resident was reviewing his credit card accounts and discovered charges had been made without his knowledge. He was informed the charges were made using his Social Security Number and the funds had been traced to Nicaragua. This case is being investigated.

Grand Larceny 15-010047 300 Block Valeview Court, NW Between October 04 at 9:00 a.m. and October 11 at 11:00 p.m. A resident reported that after having two open houses at his residence, his wife discovered several pieces of her jewelry had gone missing.

Fraud 15-009850 800 Block Ninovan Drive, SE October 05 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. A resident reported she sent her grandson a birthday card containing a gift check. She stated she was unaware her grandson had moved but later discovered someone living in the apartment may have forged the check. This case is being investigated.

Suspicious Event 15-009815 1100 Block Westbriar Court, NE October 07 9:30 p.m. A resident reported that while she was watching television she noticed someone opened and quickly closed the door to the sunroom. She stated it may have been someone coming to visit her tenants but was unable to speak with the tenants at the time.Officer Post informed her to keep her doors locked and call the police if this happens again.

Arrest – Driving While Intoxicated/Refusal to Submit to a Breath Test 15-009837 300 Block Maple Avenue, West October 09 1:57 a.m. PFC Kiley was on patrol when he observed the driver of a vehicle commit a series of traffic violations. As a result of those violations he conducted a traffic stop.

Upon his interaction with the driver he detected the signs of possible impairment. After failing to complete a series of field sobriety tests he arrested the 39 year old man from Georgetown Pike in McLean, Virginia for Driving While Intoxicated.

He was transported to the Vienna Police Station where he refused his opportunity to provide a sample of his breath for analysis. He was then transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where he was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Refusal to Submit to a Breath Test.

Telephone Case 15-009845 1400 Block Cottage Street, SW October 09 9:22 a.m. A resident reported his ex-girlfriend has been harassing him via the telephone for the past several months. He stated he continues to block her numbers but she obtains new numbers to continue harassing him. He stated she still has property at his residence and is worried about what might happen if she comes to pick it up.

Officer Slebonick informed him to call the Vienna Police Department when they arrange for the pick-up of the items and an officer will respond to maintain the peace. He was also informed of the warrant process should he wish to pursue the case for harassment. He declined to pursue charges at this time.

Grand Larceny 15-009846 1100 Block Desale Street, SW October 09 10:16 a.m. A resident reported someone had stolen his unsecured Diamondback bicycle he had parked next to the driveway. Case Update: On October 10, 2015 the owner of the stolen bicycle discovered his bicycle locked to the bicycle rack in the area of 140 Patrick Street, SE. The lock was cut and the bicycle was returned to the owner.

Animal Case 15-009864 400 Block Fellini Court, SE October 09 9:32 p.m. A resident reported she and her dogs had been followed home by a stray cat. The cat appeared to be a female with short brown hair. Officer Tremont responded and transported the cat to the Fairfax County Animal Control Shelter to be held until the owner can be located.

Animal Case - Quarantine 15-009885 600 Block Tazwell Road, NW October 10 8:30 a.m. A resident reported a neighbor’s dog had bitten her on the hand. Officer Slebonick spoke with the dog’s owner and informed him of the quarantine process. ACO Barker will follow up with this case.

Assault 15-009892 Amphora Restaurant 377 Maple Avenue, West October 10 11:00 a.m. An employee reported he and one of the cooks became involved in an argument concerning the preparation of food. He stated the argument escalated when the cook shoved him. Officer Slebonick responded and spoke with the cook who stated although the verbal argument had occurred he had not pushed the employee. Other employees present were not able to confirm either side of the story.

The victim employee was informed of the warrant process should he wish to pursue charges. He declined at that time.

Welfare Check 15-009899 Johnson Street, SW October 10 3:11 p.m. Neighbors of an elderly resident became worried when the resident had not been seen in several days and had missed an appointment.

Sgt. Sylmar and MPO Mangan responded and were able to enter the residence. After searching the home they determined the resident was not home and no obvious signs of suspicious activity were found. The door to the residence was secured and information was left for the resident to contact the police.

Found Property 15-009930 W&OD Trail October 11 6:22 p.m. A concerned citizen responded to the Vienna Police Station to turn in a Debit Card he found on the W&OD Trail. Attempts to contact the owner were unsuccessful. The card will be held at the Vienna Police Station in the event the owner is located.

Narcotics Violation 15-009931 Maple Avenue at Glyndon Street, SE October 11 9:50 p.m. Sgt. Sheeran was on patrol when he observed a vehicle with equipment defects. As a result of the defects he conducted a traffic stop. Upon his interaction with the juvenile driver and passenger he detected the distinct odor of marijuana. After speaking with both girls about the odor they produced paraphernalia containing the residue of marijuana.The girls were transported to the Vienna Police Station where they were counselled by Sgt. Sheeran on the negative effects of marijuana use. After the counseling session they were released to their respective parents.

Arrest – Narcotics/Tobacco Violations 15-009935/15-009937 The Wolf Trap Hotel 430 Maple Avenue, West October 11 10:36 p.m. Officer Herrera was on patrol when he observed a vehicle with defective equipment. As a result of the defect he conducted a traffic stop. Upon his interaction with the occupants he located a measurable amount of marijuana and paraphernalia owned by the driver of the vehicle.

Officer Herrera issued a summons for Possession of Marijuana to the 25 year old man from Joseph Terrace in Sterling, Virginia. After signing the summons he was released.

While speaking with the juvenile occupants he discovered one was in possession of cigarettes. He counselled the girl on the effects of tobacco use as a juvenile. Her mother responded to the area and took her daughter home.

Noise Violation 15-009939 400 Block Maple Avenue, East October 12 3:30 a.m. Sgt. Sheeran was on patrol when he observed a trash truck enter the rear of the shopping center and began to empty the dumpsters in violation of the Town of Vienna Noise Ordinance. Sgt. Sheeran spoke with the driver who stated this was his first time working this route and he was not aware of the Noise Ordinance. Sgt. Sheeran elected to not charge him for the violation.

Domestic Assault 15-009941 Cottage Street, SW October 12 5:00 a.m. A resident reported he and his mother had been involved in a verbal argument that escalated when she struck him. The mother left the house prior to the arrival of Officer Post. Officer Post spoke with the victim and determined there were inconsistencies in his story. He was informed of the warrant process should he decide to pursue charges.

Destruction of Property 15-009970 100 Block Locust Street, SW Between October 12 at 7:00 p.m. and October 13 at 9:00 a.m. A resident discovered the windshield to his vehicle had been damaged by an unknown object.

Vandalism 15-009992 500 Block Meadow Lane, SW Between October 12 at 7:00 p.m. and October 13 at 7:00 a.m. A resident reported her daughter’s vehicle had been egged.

Destruction of Property 15-010044 1000 Block Hillcrest Drive, SW October 12 between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. A resident reported a bay window in the front of the residence had been damaged by an unknown object.

Destruction of Property 15-009962 1000 Block Hillcrest Drive, SW Between October 12 at 11:00 p.m. and October 13 at 7:45 a.m. A resident discovered the rear window to his vehicle had been smashed. He stated nothing appeared to have been taken from the vehicle.

Found Property 15-010017 UPS Store 344 Maple Avenue, West October 14 1:59 p.m. An employee reported a customer had left a backpack in the store approximately 10 days ago and had not returned to reclaim the backpack. The backpack will be held at the Vienna Police Station in the event the owner can be located.

Narcotics Violation 15-010023 Valley Drive at Glyndon Street, SE October 14 9:07 p.m. Officer Tremont responded to the area after a citizen reported two individuals exited a vehicle and walked into the wooded area. Officer Tremont entered the wooded area and detected the distinct odor of marijuana emanating from the area where the two individuals were located. After speaking with the female, a juvenile, he located a measurable amount of marijuana.

The juvenile was transported to the Vienna Police Station and counselled on the dangers of marijuana and tobacco use. She was then released to her mother. This case is being investigated.

Arrest – Alcohol Violation 15-010026 7-11 537 Maple Avenue, West October 14 11:42 p.m. MPO Smith was on patrol in the parking lot of the 7-11 when he observed a vehicle pull into the parking lot. The driver exited the vehicle and a passenger in the backseat discarded their trash on the ground.

MPO Smith approached the vehicle and while speaking with the occupants the front seat passenger, found to be under the age of 21, began drinking a beer. MPO Smith issued a summons to the 20 year old man from Fox Run in Fairfax, Virginia for Underage Possession of Alcohol.

Civil Matter 15-010019 Michel Rene 165 Maple Avenue, East October 14 1:40 p.m. An employee of “Speedy Signs” reported he was attempting to install awnings on the building when a dispute between he and a business owner of the building occurred. He stated the business owner was refusing to let him place the awnings over his windows.

MPO Vazquez responded and after speaking with everyone involved they came to a resolution and the awnings were installed.

Grand Larceny 15-010033 600 Block Hillcrest Drive, SW Between October 14 at 5:00 p.m. and October 15 at 11:04 a.m. A resident reported someone had stolen a backpack blower that was left in the bed of her pickup truck. This case is being investigated

Suspicious Event 15-010049 700 Block Upham Place, NW October 14 8:00 p.m. A resident reported a neighbor had gone to their home and wanted to discuss an issue concerning their dog. She stated the neighbor informed them they needed to control the dog after it had bitten another resident in the neighborhood.

Officer Tremont responded and spoke with both neighbors who agreed to remain cordial but would maintain their distance from each other to eliminate any further disputes.