Suspect Pays with Phony Cash at Vienna Businesses: Police

VIENNA, VA -- Police report that a suspect tried to use a counterfeit $20 bill at two areas businesses. Both incidents took place Wednesday. The first attempt was made at 11 a.m. at Pie Gourmet, 507 Maple Avenue, West. Police say an employee advised that a black male was in the store and made a purchase using a $20 bill that turned out to be counterfeit.

Later that day, at 1:05 p.m., at Molly’s Yogurt at 521 Maple Avenue, West, an employee advised that a black male was in the store and made a purchase using a $20 bill that turned out to be counterfeit.

Both cases are being investigated.

The following summary contains various incidents of general interest as well as vehicular crashes handled by the Town of Vienna, Virginia Police Department from April 1, 2016 – April 7, 2016. Readers are reminded that an “arrest” is based upon probable cause and does not always mean that someone was physically taken into custody. Furthermore, it does not mean that an individual is automatically guilty of a crime. Judicial outcomes and post-arrest proceedings can be researched through the appropriate court’s website.

(VIENNA POLICE HIGHLIGHTS is not meant to be a listing of every incident or call handled by the Vienna Police, but merely a more substantive summary of several incidents, which may be of interest to the community. Some reports may be outside the date parameters due to extended investigations or other circumstances. Some cases are not included at all due to ongoing investigations. Please contact Ruth Rohr for further information at ruth.rohr@viennava.gov)

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INCIDENTS

Fraud 16-002699: 500 Block Glyndon Street, NE: Between January 1, 2009 at 12:00 a.m. and April 4, 2016 at 7:41 p.m. A resident advised a utility account had been fraudulently opened using his identity in Oklahoma. This case is being investigated.

Fraud 16-002771: 600 Block Tazewell Road, NW Between October 2, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. and August 17, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. A resident reported that he received a letter from a debt collection agency regarding a past due account. The account was opened in New England through Verizon by an unknown person using the resident’s identity. This case is being investigated.

Petit Larceny 16-002617: Vienna Jewelry 320 Maple Avenue, East Between March 13 at 12:00 p.m. and April 2 at 3:21 p.m. An employee reported that someone had removed the bottom half of the downspouts from the building.

Forgery 16-002599: Staats Developers 120 Church Street, NE Between March 21 at 12:00 p.m. and April 1 at 12:08 p.m. An employer was notified by his bank of company checks that were being forged and cashed. This case is under investigation.

Trespassing 16-002594: 400 Block Colin Lane, NW April 1 8:51 a.m. MPO Lose responded to a report that a man, who had previously been trespassed from the home, had returned for some of his belongings. The residents permitted the man back into the house to retrieve his belongings. He was then informed again that he was no longer permitted on the property.

Arrest – Hit & Run 16-002608: Taco Bell 362 Maple Avenue, East April 1 9:53 p.m. A citizen reported witnessing a vehicle strike a parked car in the parking lot, then leave the area. The citizen was able to provide a tag number for the vehicle and a description of the occupants. Ofc. Herrera was able to make contact with the vehicle owner who advised her son drives the vehicle and she would have him bring the vehicle to the Vienna Police Station. The driver later arrived at the station and advised he had struck the parked vehicle and drove off. Ofc. Herrera obtained two warrants for the driver. The warrants were served on April 7. The driver, an 18 year old man from Prichard Court in Dunn Loring, Virginia was released on his signature charging Hit and Run and Violation of a Restricted License.

Juvenile 16-002627: Chipotle 227 Maple Avenue, East April 2 10:33 p.m. MPO Smith observed a male approach some juveniles who were in the parking lot of Chipotle. He then watched as the man continued walking through the various parking lots then proceeded to a park bench in the Park Terrace Condominiums Complex. Upon his interaction with the male, MPO Smith found he was a juvenile. He explained to the officer that he lives with his grandfather and has permission to be out. MPO Smith contacted his grandfather who agreed to pick up his grandson.

Arrest – Driving While Intoxicated and Hit & Run 16-002632: Cottage Street at Tapawingo Road, SW April 2 11:15 p.m. Officers responded to a report of a one car accident where the driver had fled the scene on foot. Sgt. Farhan located the male driver after a witness observed the driver behind a home. Officer Herrera arrived on scene and, after his interaction with the driver, determined the driver may have been impaired. After the driver was evaluated and cleared by rescue personnel he was administered a series of field sobriety tests which he failed to successfully complete. Officer Herrera arrested the 20 year old man from West Denali Drive in Nixa, Missouri for Driving While Intoxicated. The man was then transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where he provided a blood sample for analysis. He was then charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Hit and Run. He was released to the custody of the deputies.

Juvenile Case 16-002635: Tapawingo Road and Plum Street, SW April 2 11:15 p.m. While responding to the report of the Hit and Run accident at Cottage Street and Tapawingo Road, SW (case #16-002632) MPO Smith observed juveniles running in the area. He stopped to check their welfare and to determine if they were involved in the accident. The juveniles had not been involved in the accident. They admitted they were running because they had been at a party where they had consumed alcohol and became nervous when they saw the police. One of the juveniles was in possession of a fake identification. The parents of both juveniles were notified and responded to take custody of their children. The juveniles were given verbal counseling by MPO Smith and released to their parents.

Suspicious Event 16-002636: Amphora Restaurant 377 Maple Avenue, West April 3 between 1:30 a.m. and 1:47 a.m. Officers responding to a 911 hang up made contact with a citizen who stated he was assaulted by another man at a club in DC earlier that night. He stated he then followed that man back to the Amphora Restaurant where he confronted him and advised he was struck again. After speaking with witnesses it was determined that the citizen confronted a man who was out with his ex-girlfriend and an argument ensued, causing that man to shove him. There were no visible signs of injury. The citizen was advised of the warrant process should he wish to seek charges for assault.

Trespassing 16-002650: Wildwood Park Between Valley Drive and Follin Lane, SE April 3 9:42 a.m. Security Officers from Navy Federal Credit Union reported a person camping in the park. Officers located a woman who advised she was homeless. She advised she was familiar with the shelters available in the area, but she refused to allow the officers to transport her to one of them for assistance. The woman was advised she was not permitted to camp in the Town parks. She agreed to gather her belongings and leave the area.

Grand Larceny 16-002669: Rite Aid 215 Maple Avenue, West April 3 8:15 p.m. An employee reported that a black male left the store without paying for a handbasket full of merchandise. This case is being investigated.

Suspicious Person 16-002689: Vienna Wolftrap Hotel 430 Maple Avenue, West April 4 between 11:00 a.m. and 2:39 p.m. Officers responded to the report of a female guest who was refusing to leave after the hotel’s check out time. Ofc. Hylinski and MPO Vazquez spoke to the woman and assisted her in gathering her belongings. She then left the area without further incident.

Assist Fire/EMS 16-002695: Chipotle 213 Maple Avenue, East April 4 5:31 p.m. Officers responded for the report of an intoxicated male in the restaurant. When they arrived they found the man was unable to stand or walk alone. Officers summoned Fairfax County Rescue. The man was transported to an area hospital for evaluation.

Vehicle Tampering 16-002718: Maple Avenue Restaurant 147 Maple Avenue, West April 5 between 11:00 a.m. and 3:32 p.m. An employee left his moped legally parked in the lot behind the restaurant. When he returned he found that an unknown person dragged the moped to another location in the lot and caused damage to it.

Fraud 16-002741: Northwest Federal Credit Union 231 Maple Avenue, East April 6 12:23 p.m. An employee reported that a black female attempted to cash a fraudulent check. The female left the area before officers arrived.

Animal Case 16-002746: Patrick Street and Patrick Circle, SW April 6 6:22 p.m. PFC Tracy located a dog that was running at large. After attempts to locate an owner were unsuccessful he transported the dog to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.

Suspicious Vehicle 16-002782: Maple Avenue and Follin Lane, SE April 7 10:06 p.m. Ofc. Herrera noticed the driver of a vehicle turn onto Follin Lane from Maple Avenue. That portion of Follin is closed for construction and open only to residents living in the immediate area. Officer Herrera initiated a traffic stop. The driver was released on a summons for No Operator’s License.