Franconia District Police Honored For Work On Vehicle Theft Prevention

LORTON, VA — The Fairfax County Board of Supervisor passed a resolution in honor of the Franconia District Police Station for its work in addressing the uptick in vehicle thefts in the Lorton area.

Fairfax County Police Captain John Lieb, who serves as the Franconia District police commander, partnered with the police department’s Auto Crime and Enforcement team to focus on the Lorton community, where nine vehicle vehicles had been stolen during the first month of 2023.

“The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of all residents of Fairfax County, does hereby thank the Franconia Police Station and the Auto Crimes Enforcement Team for their partnership, outreach and creative approach to community policing, which has had a positive in our neighborhoods,” reads the resolution, which was adopted by the full Board of Supervisors on March 21.

The resolution was signed by Board of Supervisors Chair Jeffrey McKay, Mount Vernon District Supervisor Daniel Storck and Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk.

In his board matter requesting the resolution, Storck noted that by increasing their presence in neighborhoods most affected by car thefts, police made two arrests, both of whom were juveniles.

At the March 21 Board of Supervisors meeting, Storck said the stolen cars were then used by the thieves to commit other crimes.

The Franconia District Police Station also provided crime prevention strategies to residents on Nextdoor and through other messaging. “This partnership is an excellent example of our talented public safety team and how community policing can have a positive impact in our neighborhoods,” he said.

In January alone, a total of 33 vehicles were stolen in Fairfax County. Many of the stolen vehicles were part of a coordinated effort in Lorton targeting Kia and Hyundai models.

In early February, the Franconia District Police Station partnered with Hyundai to distribute free steering wheel locks to residents who own or lease impacted models for that event.

Along with letting the community know that it is looking out for them, the Franconia District Police Station's action "sends a message to the bad guys that if you come to Fairfax County, we're going to get this solved and find out who is perpetrating it," Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity said at the meeting.

McKay noted that he had his car broken into several years ago. "The victims of that, whether their car is broken into or stolen, feel personal violation," he said. "That particular crime against property is a personal intrusion that not only has an effect on people, but has the potential to give the wrong impression about the safety of a community."

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