2 Charged With Assault On Police In 2 Separate Incidents: ACPD

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington County police arrested two people for assault on law enforcement officers in two separate incidents on Monday night, according to authorities.

In the first case, officers were sent around 6:15 p.m. to investigate the report of a dispute between a man and woman in the 3500 block of Columbia Pike. Police learned that during an argument with the woman, the man assaulted her, took her phone and broke it before leaving the area on foot, according to the incident report.

Later that night, the suspect returned to the scene of the dispute and an officer tried to take him into custody. The suspect resisted and assaulted the officer, according to ACPD.

"With the assistance of additional responding officers, the suspect was taken into custody. During a search incident to arrest, brass knuckles were recovered," the report said. "The officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at an area hospital."

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Police arrested and charged 24-year-old Jalani Gatlin of Alexandria with assault and battery on law enforcement, assault and battery, robbery, trespassing, destruction of property, possession of blackjacks and obstruction of justice. He was then held without bond.

That around 7:30 p.m. on the same night, police investigated the report of an assault at North Lexington Street and Wilson Boulevard.

"Upon arrival, it was determined the female victim was in the area when the female suspect approached the victim and allegedly spat on her before fleeing the scene on foot," according to the incident report. "A lookout was broadcast, and responding officers located an individual matching the description of the suspect near the scene and took her into custody. While in custody, the suspect spat on two officers."

Police arrested and charged 30-year-old Katherine Claffey of Arlington with assault and battery and two counts of assault on law enforcement, according to ACPD.

Gatlin was arraigned on Tuesday morning in Arlington General District Court and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on March 17, according to court records.

Claffey was also arraigned Tuesday morning in Arlignton General District Court and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on March 9, according to court records.

The most serious charge Gatlin is facing is robbery with use of force, which is a Class 5 felony. If convicted on this charge, he faces a potential sentence of one to 10 years in prison or up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500, under the Code of Virginia.

Both Gatlin and Claffey's assault on law enforcement charges are Class 6 felonies, which each carry a possible sentence of one to five years in prison or up to 12 months in jail plus a $2,500 fine, if they are convicted, according to Virginia law.