Drunk Driver Assaults Cop In Arlington: Police

ARLINGTON, VA — A Falls Church man was arrested for fleeing from a hit-and-run and allegedly assaulting a police officer in Arlington Tuesday night.

Rene Lopez, 30, was arrested and charged with Assault on Police, Driving Under the Influence and Hit and Run.

Police said they were called for a hit-and-run that had just occurred at about 11:28 p.m. in the 1100 block of N. Irving St. Arriving officers located the striking vehicle and two parked cars with damage.

The driver of the striking vehicle, identified as Lopez, fled the scene on foot prior to police arrival. Officers developed a suspect description, contacted Lopez and requested he return to the scene.

Lopez arrived by taxi and refused to exit the car, police said. As the officers were attempting to secure the suspect, he allegedly became combative and struck an officer.

Lopez was held on no bond, police said.

Additional recent crime in Arlington includes:

• Peeping: Edwin Ayala Espana, 30, of Arlington was arrested and charged with Peeping into an Occupied Dwelling, Unlawful Entry and Drunk in Public. on Monday night. A woman told police she heard a noise from outside her sliding glass door in the 1000 block of N. Cleveland St. at about 12:58 a.m. Arriving officers allegedly observed Espana attempting to gain entry into the home. He was held on a secured bond.
• Burglary: Unknown suspects forced entry into a construction site and stole numerous items of value in the 700 block of N. Randolph St. Police believe the burglary happened between 5 p.m. on March 22 and 6 a.m. March 23.
• Weapons Violation: Ralph Powers, 43, of Newark, Delaware was arrested and charged with Assault & Battery, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Destruction of Property and Drunk in Public. Police said Powers was acting disorderly inside a hotel in the 1700 block of Jefferson Davis Highway on March 23. He allegedly damaged property, brandished a knife and made threatening statements.

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Photo via Arlington County Police