Tons of Package Thefts | Store Clerk Killed | Sex Assault Suspect | News Nearby

Patch has 32 sites in communities across Va. and D.C. Here are some of the top posts from the past week.

Heightened DC Police Presence After Comet Ping Pong Shooting

D.C. police are increasing their presence near Comet Ping Pong and nearby businesses after a gunman who was investigating a false rumor about Hillary Clinton and the local pizza joint walked in and fired the weapon inside the business last weekend. >>> Read more.

Store Clerk Beaten to Death With Piece of Wood

A gas station clerk was beat to death with a piece of wood in an attack Dec. 3. According to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office, the suspect spent several minutes making conversation with the clerk before picking up a 2x2 piece of wood and attacked the clerk. >>> Read more.

Stolen Packages From Doorsteps Reported Across Region

Tis the season for holiday shopping and thieves on the lookout for packages on your doorstep. Police departments across the region reported an uptick in package thefts in the past two weeks. Fairfax reported 15 stolen packages from the doorsteps of apartments, townhouses and single family homes across the county. >>> Read tips.

• 'Porch Pirates' Busted with 77 Packages - Columbia (Md.) Patch

Fight Breaks Out on Casino Floor at MGM National Harbor

• Three men were caught on video fighting on the floor of the casino during the property's big opening night Thursday.

Potential Victims in Sexual Assault Case Sought by LCSO

• A suspect was arrested for sexually assaulting a girl, 13, who he met online. Detectives say there many be other victims in the DC area.

Gang Recruitment Suspected at Osbourn Park High School in Manassas: Police

• Three 17-year-old males were arrested for alleged work on behalf of Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), according to Prince William County Police.

Construction Worker Pulled from Hole in DC [VIDEO]

• Rescue personnel had to cut through rebar and lift the victim out with a crane after a medical emergency.

Annandale Shooting: 4 Women Injured, 2 Shot During Fight Outside Home: Police

• Police say four people were injured Tuesday in a shooting that took place on Davian Drive near Medford Drive in Annandale.

'It' Holiday Toy for 2016? 'Hatchimal' Selling Out at Toy Stores in Northern Virginia

• Every Christmas has its "it" toy for Christmas from the Easy Bake Oven to Furby to Tickle Me Elmo. This year's "it" toy is the Hatchimal.

Mystery Oil Sheen on Potomac Identified, EPA Says

• NRG Energy's Dickerson Power Plant claims responsibility after sheen samples matched Dickerson Power Plant samples.

Search thousands of area jobs at the Patch Jobs Board.

• Metro to Stay Open Until 3 AM on New Year's Day
• Classic Books Banned in Virginia School System Over Racial Slur Back on Shelves
• Trafficking Ring Brought at Least 86 Guns Into NYC from Virginia: DA
• Alexandria Makes 'Top Holiday Towns' List
• Woman Locked Inside Business, Assaulted in Woodbridge: Police

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• Here's a Look at All of the Concerts Coming to MGM National Harbor
• Lyon Sisters Murder Suspect Indicted for 1996 Rape in Woodbridge: Court
• 15 Ice Skating Rinks in Northern Virginia, Washington, DC
• Driver Charged in Pedestrian Crash in Alexandria: Police
• Fire Off Telegraph Road: Resident, 82, Dies from Injuries

• Watch Out: It's Prime Time for Deer on the Roads
• National Zoo's Panda House Reopens After Bei Bei's Emergency Surgery Scare
• Salaries of All Virginia Government Employees: Report
• Guatemalan Man Sneaks Into Arlington Over and Over Again: US Government
• Holiday Light Shows Around Northern Virginia

• 108 Job Openings in Northern Virginia Right Now
• Alert: Officers Looking for Nice, Law-Abiding Residents in Fredericksburg: Police
• Catholic Diocese of Arlington Welcomes New Bishop
• Gun Give Back Event Turned Into 'Cheap Gun Buy Opportunity' in Fredericksburg
• Stranger Attempts to Lure Girl With Candy in Woodbridge: Police

Photo of recovered packages courtesy of the Howard County Police Department.