2 Assault On Law Enforcement Arrests Made In Arlington

ARLINGTON, VA — Two people were arrested for assault and battery on law enforcement in two separate incidents on Saturday night, according to Arlington County police.

In the first case, officers responded around 8:37 p.m. to a store in the 6700 block of Langston Boulevard in the East Falls Church area to investigate a drunk in public report.

The officers determined that a man had entered the business and began throwing merchandise around the store, according to the incident report. The suspect, who was still in the business, ignored commands from one of the officers.

"As the officer attempted to take the suspect into custody, the suspect resisted arrest," the report said. Additional responding officers arrived and subsequently took the suspect into custody following a struggle. While in custody, the suspect assaulted two officers and attempted to kick another. The officers sustained minor injuries."

Medics on the scene evaluated and cleared the suspect, who was identified as 45-year-old James Stephens Jr. of Arlington, according to the report. Stephens was arrested and charged with two counts of assault and battery on law enforcement, obstruction of justice, and misdemeanor profane swearing. He was held then without bond.

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In the second case, officers responded around 9 p.m. for the report of an assault at a home in the 800 block of South Greenbriar Street in Arlington Mill.

After a brief investigation, the officers determined that a juvenile female had assaulted a woman who was known to her inside the residence, according to the incident report. Following a brief foot pursuit, police took the suspect into custody.

During the arrest, the officers recovered suspected narcotics and the suspect hit an officer, according to ACPD. Police obtained petitions for the suspect for assault and battery on law enforcement, obstruction of justice, and possession of a Schedule I/II controlled substance.

In the first case, Stephens had a bond hearing scheduled for Tuesday morning in Arlington General District Court and a review was scheduled for 10 a.m. on Jan. 9, 2026, according to court documents. A preliminary hearing was also set for 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 24, 2026.

The assault on law enforcement charge is a Class 6 felony. If Stephens is convicted on this charge, he faces a possible sentence of one to five years in prison or up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500, under the Code of Virginia.