Vienna Crime: Jogger Struck by Car on W&OD Trail, IRS Scams, Prescription Forgery

The following summary contains various incidents of general interest as well as vehicular crashes handled by the Town of Vienna, Virginia Police Department from October 10, 2014 – October 16, 2014. Readers are reminded that an “arrest” is based upon probable cause and does not always mean that someone was physically taken into custody. Furthermore, it does not mean that an individual is automatically guilty of a crime. Judicial outcomes and post-arrest proceedings can be researched through the appropriate court’s website.

(VIENNA POLICE HIGHLIGHTS is not meant to be a listing of every incident or call handled by the Vienna Police, but merely a more substantive summary of several incidents, which may be of interest to the community. Some reports may be outside the date parameters due to extended investigations or other circumstances. Some cases are not included at all due to ongoing investigations. Please contact MPO Gary Lose for further information at glose@viennava.gov)

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INCIDENTS

Fraud 14-011620 900 Block Plum Street, SW May 06 12:00 p.m. A resident reported that an unknown person used his Wells Fargo account to purchase a money order without his knowledge.

This case is being investigated.

Vandalism 14-011530 300 Block Windover Avenue, NW October 04 11:11 a.m. A resident reported that her swan shaped mailbox had been vandalized.

Civil Complaint 14-011478 Owaissa Road, SE Between October 08 at 10:27 p.m. and October 12 at 10:27 a.m. A resident reported that a former acquaintance had been keeping in contact with her juvenile daughter. She stated she felt the acquaintance was a negative influence on her daughter and requested she cease all contact with her daughter. When she refused to comply with those wishes she attempted to obtain a restraining order against her, which was denied.

MPO Shaw informed the resident the issue was civil in nature and civil court would be best suited for handling this matter.

Lost Property 14-011428 500 Block Park Street, NE Between October 09 at 11:00 a.m. and October 11 at 3:00 p.m. A resident reported she had lost her wallet. The wallet is a black and white floral print.

Animal Case - Quarantine 14-011532 400 Block MacArthur Avenue, NE October 09 12:00 p.m. ACO Barker received a report that an employee of an out of town animal hospital had been bitten by a cat belonging to a Town of Vienna resident.

The owner was contacted and informed of the quarantine process and agreed to keep the cat at home during the process.

ACO Barker will follow up with the case.

Arrest – Narcotics Violation 14-011359 100 Block Maple Avenue, East October 10 3:10 a.m. MPO Sheeran was on patrol when he observed the driver of a vehicle traveling faster than the posted speed limit. As a result of the vehicle’s speed he conducted a traffic stop. Upon his interaction with the driver and the occupant he located a measurable amount of marijuana.

MPO Sheeran issued summonses to Ms. Aaryn Michelle Joseph, 21, of Villa Ridge Drive in Reston, Virginia and Rico Joran Stringfellow, 22, of Carroll Avenue in Silver Spring, Maryland for Possession of Marijuana.

Ms. Joseph and Mr. Stringfellow were released after signing their respective summonses.

Suspicious Event 14-011376 600 Block Spring Street, SE October 10 1:00 p.m. A resident reported she received a telephone call from an individual claiming to be with the U.S. Treasury Department’s Criminal Affairs Department. The caller informed the resident the police would be going to her house to arrest her, although he did not state why and never requested payment.

The resident responded by telling the caller that since the police were coming to her house to arrest her, she would in turn call the police to arrest the caller. The caller immediately hung up.

Domestic Dispute 14-011379 1100 Block Desale Street, SW October 10 1:23 p.m. A resident reported she and her father had been involved in an argument after she returned home and found her father, who no longer lives in the home, inside the home. The resident informed Officer Slebonick that her mother was out of town but she would call her to see what action, if any, she wanted the police to take.

The mother returned home and requested Officer Slebonick inform her estranged husband he was no longer permitted in the home and if he returned he would be arrested for trespassing.

Her estranged husband agreed to comply with her wishes.

Suspicious Event 14-011385 100 Block Saint Andrews Drive, NE October 10 2:00 p.m. A resident reported an individual claiming to be with the IRS telephoned and informed her that she owed for back taxes and was going to be arrested. The resident turned the phone over to her husband who after speaking with the individual realized this to be a scam and hung up on the caller.

Fraud 14-011415 Walgreens 225 Maple Avenue, East October 10 9:00 p.m. An employee reported two females entered the store and purchased several items using counterfeit currency.

This case is being investigated.

Suspicious Event 14-011431 Rite Aid Pharmacy 215 Maple Avenue, West October 11 4:59 p.m.

An employee reported that an individual was in the store attempting to purchase several thousand dollars in Green Dot Cards.

PFC Vazquez responded and approached the individual who on the telephone with an individual claiming to be with the IRS. The caller informed the individual that he owed back taxes and if he did not purchase the Green Dot Cards to satisfy the payment he would be arrested.

PFC Vazquez attempted to speak with the caller however after he identified himself as a police officer the caller verbalized his discontent with PFC Vazquez and hung up.

Note to Citizens – Recently there have been reports of callers claiming to be employees of the IRS. The callers claim the resident has either committed tax fraud or had improperly filed previous tax returns. The caller informs the resident to send a Western Union payment or purchase a prepaid debit card, for payment, or the resident will be arrested. This type of call is a scam. Never send a payment unless you have verified the validity of the caller

Medical Case 14-011435 1000 Block Park Street, SE October 11 9:16 p.m. Officer Tremont responded to assist a citizen whose father-in-law had fallen in the bathroom.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue personnel were summoned and transported him to an area hospital.

Arrest – Driving While Intoxicated 14-011443 Maple Avenue at Saint Andrews Drive, NE October 12 1:19 a.m. Officer Tremont was on patrol when he came upon a vehicle stopped in the roadway. Officer Tremont approached the vehicle and made contact with the driver who informed him he was lost. During his interaction with the driver he detected the signs of possible impairment.

After failing to complete several field sobriety tests he arrested Mr. John Douglas Francois, 68, of Houston Ridge Road in Charlotte, North Carolina for Driving While Intoxicated. Mr. Francois was transported to the Vienna Police Station where he was given the opportunity to provide a sample of his breath for analysis. After the analysis he was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where he was charged with Driving While Intoxicated.

Mr. Francois was held on a $2,000.00 bond.

Trespassing 14-011446 100 Block Maple Avenue, East October 12 3:49 a.m. Officer Herrera was in the area in reference to an earlier reported alarm which had been activated at the Vienna Community Center. Upon arriving at the Community Center Officer Herrera observed a group of individuals flee from the area on foot.

While later patrolling in the area Officer Herrera observed the same individuals flee again, this time, north bound on the W&OD Trail, they then attempted to hide in the tall grass. Officer Herrera approached the individuals who informed him they were juveniles and ran for fear of getting in trouble for being out late.

The juveniles were transported to the Vienna Police Station where they were counseled on being out at such a late hour unsupervised and the consequences of trespassing on park property after dark.

They were then released to their parents.

Destruction of Property 14-011486 Giant Shopping Center 359 Maple Avenue, East October 12 between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. A resident reported that he returned to his legally parked vehicle and discovered scratch marks on the passenger side that appeared to have been made with a key.

Medical Case 14-011492 500 Block Orchard Street, NW October 12 8:56 p.m. Officer Herrera responded to the area to assist with transporting a resident to an area hospital.

Arrest – Drunk in Public 14-011497 7-11 427 Maple Avenue, East October 13 1:04 a.m.

Officer Herrera was on patrol when he observed an individual staggering while walking to the rear of the 7-11. He followed the individual to the rear of the 7-11 and found him urinating on the property. Upon his interaction with the individual he determined he was intoxicated and arrested Mr. Christopher Lee Duffy, 27, of Coppersmith Square in Reston, Virginia for Drunk in Public.

Mr. Duffy was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where he was to be held until he was sober.

Vandalism 14-011503 Windover Avenue at Walnut Lane, NW October 13 9:03 a.m. A citizen reported that a Stop Sign had been vandalized with spray paint.

Juvenile Case 14-011506 Oak Street, SW October 13 9:49 a.m. A resident reported that he and his son had been involved in an argument concerning his son’s behavior. The son had left the house prior to the arrival of the police.

PFC Kiley responded and while he was speaking with the father the son returned and acknowledged he had been disrespectful and understood he needed to follow the rules set by his father.

Both the father and son informed PFC Kiley that no physical assault occurred.

Arrest – Driving While Intoxicated/Possession of Marijuana 14-011516 Nutley Street at Orchard Street, NW October 14 12:10 a.m. MPO Shaver was on patrol when he observed the driver of a vehicle commit several 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 several field sobriety tests he arrested Ms. Lindsey E. Hamby, 23, of Malcolm Road, NW in Vienna for Driving While Intoxicated. During the arrest process he also located a measurable amount of Marijuana.

Ms. Hamby was transported to the Vienna Police Station where she was given the opportunity to provide a sample of her breath for an analysis. After the analysis she was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where she was charged with Driving While Intoxicated (2nd in Five Years) and Possession of Marijuana.

Ms. Hamby was held on a $1,000.00 bond.

Suspicious Person 14-011548 Burke & Herbert Bank 302 Maple Avenue, West October 14 4:25 p.m.

An employee felt it seemed suspicious when a man entered the bank, looked over the counter, asked for a lollypop, then after not taking a lollypop he left the bank.

The employee felt the man may have been casing the bank.

Domestic Dispute 14-011549 600 Block Birch Street, SW October 14 5:07 p.m. A resident reported she and her husband had been involved in a heated argument. The husband had left the house prior to the arrival of the police. She stated the argument had not turned physical.

Fraud 14-011582 Rite Aid 215 Maple Avenue, West Between October 14 at 7:00 p.m. and October 15 at 8:30 a.m. An employee summoned the police after a citizen had been in the store on three different occasions and purchased several Green Dot Cards.

Officer Slebonick responded and was able to speak with the citizen who stated he had been telephoned by an individual claiming to be an employee with the IRS. The caller informed the citizen he owed back taxes and if the debt was not immediately satisfied he would be arrested. The caller informed the citizen to purchase Green Dot Debit Cards and call back with the security numbers.

The citizen went to the Rite Aid and did as the caller demanded. After receiving the security numbers the caller contacted the citizen again and stated there was still an unpaid balance and more cards would need to be purchased. After returning again the employee felt the citizen may have been the victim of a scam and contacted the police.

This case is active.

Note to Citizens – Recently there have been reports of callers claiming to be employees of the IRS. The callers claim the resident has either committed tax fraud or had improperly filed previous tax returns. The caller informs the resident to send a Western Union payment or purchase a prepaid debit card, for payment, or the resident will be arrested. This type of call is a scam. Never send a payment unless you have verified the validity of the caller

Fraud 14-011586 300 Block Maple Avenue, West October 15 1:08 p.m. An employee reported an individual had stolen a prescription pad from her office and has been forging the prescriptions for approximately a year. Although she had been arrested for similar incidents the individual continues to forge prescriptions.

This case is being investigated.

Arrest – Driving While Intoxicated 14-011594 300 Block Maple Avenue, West October 16 12:12 a.m. Officer Herrera 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 Mr. Marco Antonio Mirabile, 38, of Lomax Lane in Beltsville, Maryland for Driving While Intoxicated.

Mr. Mirabile was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where he was given the opportunity to provide a sample of his breath for an analysis. After the analysis he was charged with Driving While Intoxicated (2nd in Five Years).

Mr. Mirabile was held on a $1,000.00 bond.

Arrest – Narcotics Violation 14-011595 300 Block Maple Avenue, West October 16 12:14 a.m. Officer Tremont 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 and the passenger he detected the distinct odor of Marijuana. After further interaction with the driver he was unable to locate any Marijuana however he did locate prescription medication that did not match the medication labeled on the bottle.

Officer Tremont issued summonses to Mr. Christopher James Carroll, 19, of Mulroy Street in McLean, Virginia for Possession of Controlled Substance Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Mr. Carroll was released after signing the summonses.

CRASHES

Park Street near Maple Avenue, SE 14-011381 October 10 2:47 p.m. The driver of the first vehicle was traveling south bound on Park Street, SE.

The driver of the second vehicle was attempting to exit a parking lot and collided with the first vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle was issued a summons for Failure to Yield the Right of Way.

Nutley Street at Roland Street, SW 14-011383 October 10 4:46 p.m. The driver of the first vehicle was traveling north bound on Nutley Street, SW.

The driver of the second vehicle was traveling south bound on Nutley Street and attempted to make a left turn onto Roland Street, SW and struck the first vehicle.

The driver of the second vehicle was issued a summons for Failure to Pay Full Time and Attention.

Maple Avenue near Mill Street, NE 14-011384 October 10 4:52 p.m. The driver of the first vehicle was traveling east bound on Maple Avenue, NE.

The driver of the second vehicle was attempting to exit a parking lot to make a left turn onto Maple Avenue, NE and struck the first vehicle.

The driver of the second vehicle was issued a summons for Failure to Yield the Right of Way.

Church Street near Dominion Road, NE 14-011423 October 11 1:37 p.m. The owner of a legally parked vehicle returned to her vehicle to find it had been struck by an unknown vehicle.

Malcolm Road near Orchard Street, NW 14-011490 October 11 11:59 p.m. A town employee backed into a wooden post at Peterson Lane Park causing minimal damage to the post.

300 Block Park Street, SE 14-011487 October 12 7:19 p.m. The driver of a vehicle was traveling north bound on Park Street, SE approaching the W&OD Trail. A pedestrian was jogging west bound on the trail, with headphones on, entered the crosswalk and was struck by the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle stated he slowed however he did not see the pedestrian until he was in front of his vehicle.

The pedestrian was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the vehicle was issued a summons for Failure to Yield to a Pedestrian.

East Street at Maple Avenue, NE 14-011491 October 12 8:23 p.m. The driver of the first vehicle was traveling south bound on East Street and stopped for the red traffic signal at Maple Avenue, NE.

The driver of the second vehicle was unable to stop and rear ended the first vehicle. The driver left the scene without exchanging information.

400 Block Maple Avenue, East 14-011510 October 13 2:57 p.m. The drivers of two vehicles were traveling west bound on Maple Avenue, East in the same lane of travel. The driver of the first vehicle slowed due to heavy traffic and was rear ended by the second vehicle.

The driver of the second vehicle was issued a summons for Failure to Pay Full Time and Attention.

400 Block Courthouse Road, SW 14-011526 October 14 10:16 a.m. The driver of the first vehicle was traveling east bound on Courthouse Road and stopped to make a left turn into a driveway.

The driver of the second vehicle was also traveling east bound and rear ended the first vehicle.

820 Follin Lane, SE 14-011550 October 14 6:40 p.m. An employee of the Navy Federal Credit Union returned to her vehicle and discovered the rear bumper had been struck by an unknown vehicle.

Maple Avenue at Beulah Road, NE 14-011553 October 14 7:18 p.m. The driver of the first vehicle was traveling west bound on Maple Avenue approaching Beulah Road, NE.

The driver of the second vehicle was exiting a parking lot and collided with the first vehicle.

The driver of the second vehicle was issued a summons for Failure to Pay Full Time and Attention.

200 Block Maple Avenue, East 14-011569 October 15 8:48 a.m. The driver of the first vehicle was traveling east bound on Maple Avenue, East. The driver of the second vehicle was attempting to exit a parking lot and collided with the first vehicle.

The driver of the second vehicle was issued a summons for Failure to Yield the Right of Way.

Nutley Street at Maple Avenue, SW 14-011574 October 15 10:09 a.m. The drivers of two vehicles were traveling north bound on Nutley Street, SW in the same land of travel. The driver of the first vehicle stopped to make a right turn onto Maple Avenue and was rear ended by the second vehicle.

SCAM ALERT

Note to Citizens – Recently there have been reports of callers claiming to be employees of the IRS. The callers claim the resident has either committed tax fraud or had improperly filed previous tax returns. The caller informs the resident to send a Western Union payment or purchase a prepaid debit card, for payment, or the resident will be arrested. This type of call is a scam. Never send a payment unless you have verified the validity of the caller