Wrong Way Driver Threatens Traffic Officer With Vehicle: Police

CLARENDON, VA — A 41-year-old Alexandria man is facing an assault and battery charge after he yelled at and used his vehicle to threaten a transportation safety officer in the Clarendon area early Saturday morning, according to authorities.

Arlington County police officers responded to the intersection of North Highland and North Hartford streets shortly after 1 a.m. to investigate a request for backup from a transportation safety specialist, according to the incident report.

While conducting a road closure nearby, the TSS saw a man driving his vehicle the wrong directions through a marked traffic cone pattern, according to the report.

"The TSS confronted the suspect who allegedly began yelling threatening statements towards him before accelerating and stopping his vehicle towards the TSS," the report says. "The suspect the fled the scene in his vehicle. No injuries were reported."

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After broadcasting a lookout, the officers located and the suspect in the area of North Franklin and North Edgewood streets and took him into custody.

Semere Tseguy Dabesa of Alexandria was arrested and charged with assault and battery on a law enforcement officer, according to police. He was then released on his own recognizance.

Tseguy Dabesa has an arraignment scheduled for 2 p.m. on Wednesday in Arlington General District Court, according to court records.

The assault and battery on law enforcement charge is a Class 6 felony. If convicted, Tseguy Dabesa faces a possible sentence of one to 10 years in prison, or 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500, according to the Code of Virginia.