Damaging Residential Building With Hammer Leads To Arrest: ACPD

ARLINGTON, VA — A 53-year-old Arlington man is facing multiple charges, including attempted malicious wounding, after he used a hammer to damage a residential building in the Penrose area last Friday afternoon, according to Arlington County Police.

Officers were dispatched around 12:47 p.m. for the report of a man causing property damage to a residential building located at 1000 block of S. Wayne Street, according to the incident report.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a man entered the building and began, smashing its glass doors and walls with a hammer, according to police. He then threatened two people and exited the building. No injuries were reported.

One of the officers responding to the original dispatch saw the man leaving the building. With the help of other officers, Phillip Baroody of Arlington was taken into custody, police say. During the incident, Baroody suffered a cut. He was then taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Upon his release, Baroody was arrested and charged with attempted malicious wounding, assault and battery, and destruction of property, according to the incident report.

Baroody was arraigned on Monday in Arlington General District Court, according to court records. He had a bond hearing on Tuesday and is due back in court on April 18 to face the three charges.

The destruction of property charge is a Class 6 felony, which carries a potential penalty of one to five years in prison, or up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500, according to the Code of Virginia.

The attempted malicious wounding charge is a Class 5 felony in Virginia, punishable by one to 10 years in prison, or, at the court's discretion, up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

On the misdemeanor assault and battery charge, Baroody faces a potential penalty of up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500, according to the Code of Virginia.