Vienna Car Theft, Break-Ins Reported As Region Sees Incidents Rise

VIENNA, VA — Vienna has not been unscathed by the recent increase in vehicle thefts and break-ins in the DC region.

The town's police department reported a car theft and several break-ins in the weekly crime report for Dec. 2 to 8. The stolen vehicle incident happened between 10:15 p.m. on Dec. 4 and 6:30 a.m. on Dec. 5 in the 400 block of Druid Hill Road NE. Police say a resident visiting from out of town parked with the keys inside. The vehicle was later discovered to be stolen.

Vienna Police also recovered a stolen vehicle from Fairfax County around 10:57 a.m. on Dec. 8. A resident in the 400 Block East Street NE reported a vehicle that had been parked in front of his house since Dec. 5.

One of the vehicle break-ins in recent weeks happened on Nov. 26 between 6:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. in the 300 block of Adahi Road SE. A resident told police a person entered her unlocked vehicle and stole her purse.

Another incident happened between 10 p.m. on Nov. 27 and 3 a.m. on Nov. 28. A resident reported a person searched through his unlocked vehicle in the open garage and stole money from the center console.

Police say the uptick in vehicle thefts and break-ins has particularly affected the Northern Virginia area. The incidents typically happen in the early morning hours between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. Suspects may search through unlocked cars and may steal vehicles when keys are left inside. Vienna Police may work with law enforcement in other jurisdictions to investigate these crimes.

Vienna Police encourage residents to secure their vehicles, take keys inside, lock doors of homes and garages, and stay alert to suspicious activity. Anyone who notices suspicious vehicles or people can contact police. Residents who have security camera footage are encouraged to share with police if they capture videos of incidents.

Here are other notable incidents in the latest weekly crime report in Vienna. Anyone with information about an incident can contact Vienna Police at 703-255-6366.

Arrest – Brandishing a Firearm and Drunk In Public 22-011628
600 Block Blackstone Terrace, NW December 4 3:17 p.m.
A juvenile was walking the family dog when a resident in the neighborhood began to scream at him and showed him a firearm in his waistband. A neighbor witnessed the incident and immediately ushered the juvenile safely away and back to his home. Officers located the man and, upon their interaction with him, detected signs of impairment. The 35-year-old man from Blackstone Terrace, NW in Vienna was placed under arrest. He was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where he was charged with Brandishing a Firearm and Drunk In Public.

Assault 22-011734
200 Block Locust Street, SE December 8 6:36 p.m.
A citizen reported that he was driving eastbound on Locust Street, exiting the traffic circle at Park Street when a man entered the crosswalk. The citizen yielded to the pedestrian, however, the man stopped in the middle of the road. The man proceeded to strike the citizen’s rear window. When the citizen got out of his vehicle to check for damage, the man assaulted him, causing minor injuries to his face. The man left the area when the citizen got back into his vehicle.

Suspicious Event 22-011735
200 Block Park Terrace Court, SE December 8 7:14 p.m.
A resident reported a small fire that was burning on the stoop in front of her condo building. The resident stated that she saw her neighbor, with who she has had ongoing issues, carrying some items and placing them on the stoop. She never observed him set the fire. The fire was out before the officers arrived. Officers located the neighbor later in the night, and he denied any involvement in the incident.

Crash, Maple Ave Restaurant, 147 Maple Avenue, West 22-011526
December 1 10:41 a.m. Vehicle-1 was in the parking lot, pulling forward from a parking space when the driver lost control of the vehicle and struck the side of the building. Vehicle-1 fled from the scene. An officer located the driver at his residence. The elderly driver reported that he suffered a medical emergency during the accident and needed to get home to get his medication.