Arlington Man Cited For Unlawful Entry, Destruction Of Property: ACPD

ARLINGTON, VA — A 31-year-old Arlington man is facing multiple charges of unlawful entry in connection to break-ins at three homes in the Arlington View area early Wednesday morning, according to authorities.

Officers from the Arlington County Police Department responded around 6:35 a.m. for the report of a burglary in process at a home in the area of the 1500 block of 12th Street South and 1500 block of 11th Street South, according to the incident report.

"Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect allegedly broke windows of five different homes in the area and subsequently made entry into three of them," according to ACPD. "Responding officers established a perimeter and located the suspect inside an unoccupied residence, issued commands and took him into custody."

The suspect, identified as Richard Mecham of Arlington, was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for minor injuries consistent with breaking glass, police say. During the investigation, Mecham gave police a fake personal identification card.No items were reported stolen

Mecham was arrested and charged with giving false identity to law enforcement three counts of unlawful entry, and five counts of destruction of property, according to ACPD.

Mecham was scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday morning and has a Sept. 23 preliminary hearing, according to court records.

The five destruction of properties charges are Class 6 felonies, which each carry a potential penalty of one to five years in prison, or, at the court's discretion, up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500, according to the Code of Virginia.

The giving false identification and the three unlawful entry charges and Class 1 misdemeanors, according to Virginia law. If convicted, Mecham faces a possible sentence of up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500, or both, for each charge.