Welcome to Friday, Alexandria! Here’s our recap of the most-read stories.
Our top story this week is on two Alexandria business owners charged with possession of an illegal gambling device for operating skill games. The news marks the first indictments against Alexandria business owners for the devices. Dozens of skill game machines operate at multiple convenience and grocery stores in the West End and Arlandria neighborhoods, despite police hand-delivering warning letters to more than a dozen offending businesses. Skill games were outlawed as illegal gaming by the Virginia legislature in 2020, and Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter told ALXnow that his office is assessing “all potential investigative leads.”
Our second-top post is regarding the man who died Aug. 8 after jumping from a 15th-floor balcony during an FBI arrest attempt. Shawn Steven Harris was identified as the jumper by ABC 7/WJLA, which uncovered court documents finding that he conducted a fraud scheme from Oct. 2019 to Nov. 2021 against women he met through online dating platforms.
Harris used multiple fake identities and claimed to work for government agencies, including the CIA, Treasury Department, and Defense Intelligence Agency. Harris allegedly convinced victims to let him use their credit cards by promising government reimbursement and extravagant gifts, including pet dogs, elimination of student loan debt, houses, and automobiles — none of which he intended to deliver, prosecutors said.
The third most-read post this week is on the plan to replace a 46-year-old office building in Old Town with more than 30 four-story townhouses.
The property is home to the Essex Building, an office building constructed in 1979. The proposal will go before the Board of Architectural Review on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Renderings show rows of four-story townhouses with garages and second-floor balconies encompassing an entire square block, bordered by N. Lee Street, Queen Street, and Princess Street.
There’s plenty happening this weekend in Alexandria. Check out our comprehensive events listing for ideas on fun activities.
The most-read stories this week were:
- 2 Alexandria business owners charged in first skill games indictments (18880 views)
- Man who jumped from King Street balcony was indicted for dating app fraud (18740 views)
- Developer proposes 30+ townhomes to replace office building in Old Town (5900 views)
- Four D.C. women linked to organized retail theft ring that hit Old Town Lululemon (5867 views)
- Notes: Alexandria opens city pools to dogs for annual summer swim sessions (5058 views)
- Man charged in string of 7-Eleven robberies across Alexandria, Fairfax County (5024 views)
- Notes: New breakfast and brunch spot HomeGrown: A Daytime Eatery opens in Old Town (4563 views)
- Dumfries man charged in Alexandria park shooting stemming from TikTok argument (4232 views)
- Former Alexandria councilman Seifeldein announces bid for Congress (3762 views)
Have a safe weekend!
