A 37-year-old Maryland man is being held without bond after allegedly sexually assaulting a girl younger than 13 years old in the Braddock area.
The incident occurred at around 9 p.m. on May 9 near Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority properties in the 1300 block of Madison Street, which is close to the Braddock Road Metro station.
Police found the suspect, Damien Curtis Talbert, of Prince George’s County, unconscious but breathing as he was pinned to the ground by multiple witnesses.
The witnesses told police they stopped him from allegedly sexually assaulting the juvenile girl, and that a gun fell out of Talbert’s clothing during the incident, according to a search warrant affidavit. A Taurus G3C 9mm pistol was found on the ground about five feet from the suspect.
The juvenile victim did not seek medical attention, police said.
About 20 minutes before the incident, police were alerted of a fight between two men a short distance away at 1000 Colonial Avenue. Before the fight, one of the men involved admitted to handing his gun to Talbert.
Talbert was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, sexual battery of a victim under the age of 13 and assault and battery. He goes to court for the offenses on June 1.
The Alexandria Sexual Assault Center and Domestic Violence Program is available 24/7 to listen and help at 703-746-4911.
“If you are a neighbor and know that an abusive incident is occurring, call the police immediately,” the city said. “Calling the police is simply the most effective way to protect the victim and children from immediate harm.”
Alexandria’s Part 1 crime rate is up, and it’s mostly due to an increase in larcenies and thefts from cars.
Police released the city’s Part 1 crime statistics for 2022 on Tuesday, and included are the reported numbers of homicides, rapes, robberies, grand larcenies from vehicles, and aggravated assaults.
Overall, crimes against people and property in the city are up 7%, when compared to the first five months of last year.
There has been one homicide in 2022 — a 25-year-old man who was found dead on the sidewalk in the West End in March. There were two homicides in the city in 2021 and four homicides in 2020.
Below are Part 1 crimes for the period of January 1 – May 11 for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022:
Crime Type 2020 2021 2022 Homicide 0 0 1 Rape 5 2 1 Robbery 32 34 34 Aggravated Assault 73 76 63 Burglary 46 81 54 Larceny 791 753 845 Grand Larceny from Auto 91 77 98 Total 1,038 1,023 1,096
Larcenies are on the rise, with 845 incidents reported in the first five months of the year — a 12% increase over last year. Thefts from automobiles are also up 27%, with 98 incidents reported.
The city saw a 19% increase in Part 1 crime in 2020, which then fell by 2% in 2021:
Crime Type 2020 2021 Change Homicide 4 2 -2 Rape 14 9 -5 Robbery 88 83 -5 Aggravated Assault 208 241 33 Burglary 126 186 60 Larceny 2,475 2,420 -55 Grand Larceny from Auto 357 268 -89 Total 3,272 3,209 -63 (-2%)
A woman was injured and an Alexandria man faces multiple charges after an violent domestic dispute in Old Town, according to the Alexandria Police Department.
APD was alerted of people fighting in an apartment in the 1400 block of Princess Street in Old Town at around 3:30 on May 3 (Monday). A 33-year-old female victim suffered a non-life threatening injury after being struck and was transported to the hospital, APD told ALXnow.
The 30-year-old suspect was arrested shortly after midnight on May 3 (Tuesday) and released that same day.
The suspect was charged with malicious wounding, domestic assault and battery, destruction of property worth less than $1,000, resisting arrest and intentionally damaging a phone line to prevent the summoning of law enforcement.
The malicious wounding charge is a felony, which carries the minimum penalty of five years in prison. The remaining charges are misdemeanors, each punishable by up to a year in jail and $2,500 fine.
The suspect goes to court on May 13.
The Alexandria Sexual Assault Center and Domestic Violence Program is available 24/7 to listen and help at 703-746-4911.
“If you are a neighbor and know that an abusive incident is occurring, call the police immediately,” the city said. “Calling the police is simply the most effective way to protect the victim and children from immediate harm.”
Alexandria Police are investigating an aggravated assault that occurred in the Landmark area of the West End on Sunday night (April 17).
The 32-year-old victim was did not seek medical attention and there have been no arrests, police said. The incident occurred at around 3 a.m. in the 500 block of S. Van Dorn Street.
Police said that the incident began inside an apartment building and then ended outside.
No suspect information was available, and the investigation is ongoing, according to police.
Anyone with information is urged to call APD Officer Philip Hetzner at 703-746-6809. Callers can remain anonymous.
Alexandria Police are investigating a road rage incident where a female driver pepper allegedly assaulted two people in the 2800 block of Park Center Drive with pepper spray.
The incident occurred at around 7:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 14. The 28-year-old male victim and 49-year-old female victim were sprayed in the face and declined to go to the hospital.
Police say the suspect is a female in her 20s and that people of interest are being interviewed.
Anyone with information on this incident is urged to email officer Daniel Kim at [email protected] or call 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Soon after allegations of a sexual assault surfaced at Alexandria High School’s Minnie Howard Campus, a parent filed a Freedom Of Information Act request to find out more. Two weeks after filing her request, the parent was told that it could be fulfilled, but it would cost $84,300.
On March 21, Devon Runyan Wells, a parent of five ACPS students, requested all email communications over the last two years regarding Title IX complaints and investigations between Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr., School Board Members and staff. Wells also asked for any emails that contained the words rape, harassment, assault, sexual abuse, weapon, police, law enforcement, gang and gang violence.
Wells is a U.S. government attorney and represents victims of sexual assault in military justice proceedings. She says she was prompted to file the FOIA after The National Review published a story on a 14-year-old student who was arrested in December for an alleged aggravated sexual battery, rape and forcible sodomy at the Minnie Howard campus of Alexandria City High School in October. Charges against the student were later dropped, but Wells says she didn’t appreciate school administrators not answering her emails after the incident came to light.
“When I found out about the assaults, I emailed Principal Balas and said that in light of this (sexual assault investigation), I just want to know what the safety strategies are for the school and what’s being done to make our schools safer?” Wells said. “No response. Then I emailed the superintendent with Mr. Balas and asked them point blank if a Title IXÂ investigation was conducted into the alleged assault. I got no response.”
The story on the alleged assault broke soon after Superintendent Gregory Hutchings advised School Board members not to speak directly with the media.
ACPS Chief Technology Officer Elizabeth Hoover told Wells that fulfilling her request would require three hours of email research and more than 2,800 hours to review an estimated 168,300 emails. She wrote that narrowing the scope of the request would be significantly cheaper and take less time for staff to process.
Wells ended up sending another request that shortened the search period to last September, which will end up costing her $1,500 if she chooses to accept the charges.
“That’s not chump change — that’s a vacation,” Wells said. “But no one seems to mention the Title IX underpinnings of what went on that day.”
A shortened ACPS Title IX policy is below:
- Any student who believes he/she/they have been the victim of prohibited discrimination, harassment or bullying should report the alleged behavior or incident as soon as possible to the Title IX Coordinator, to one of the Compliance Officers designated in this regulation or to any other school personnel. (If a report is made to another staff member, that staff member notifies the Title IX Coordinator.) The alleged behavior or incident should be reported as soon as possible, and the report generally should be made within fifteen (15) school days of the occurrence. Further, any student who has knowledge of conduct which may constitute prohibited discrimination, harassment or bullying should report the conduct to one of the Compliance Officers or to any school personnel. Any employee who has knowledge of conduct which may constitute prohibited discrimination, harassment or bullying shall immediately report such conduct to one of the Compliance Officers.
- Upon receiving a complaint of alleged prohibited discrimination, harassment or bullying from the Title IX Coordinator, the Compliance Officer immediately authorizes or undertakes an investigation. The investigation may be conducted by school personnel or a third party designated by the school division. The investigation shall be completed as soon as practicable, which should generally be no later than 14 school days after referral of the complaint to the Compliance Officer.
- The Compliance Officer issues a written report to the Superintendent upon completion of the investigation. If the complaint involves the Superintendent, then the report is sent to the School Board.
AÂ 25-year-old Washington, D.C. man was arrested on March 26 (Saturday) after an assault by mob at William Ramsay Recreation Center (5650 Sanger Avenue).
At around 9:15 p.m., the city’s Department of Emergency Communications got a call of multiple males fighting in the gym of the West End recreation center. When police arrived, a white Chrysler Sebring with Virginia tags attempted to drive away from the scene at “a high rate of speed,” according to a search warrant affidavit. Responding officers blocked the Sebring’s exit and its occupants were detained and questioned.
The victims in the recreation center told police that they went into the gymnasium to play basketball, and started a game with other males and a fight erupted. During the fight, an iPhone 12 Max belonging to a victim was reportedly stolen and not recovered.
All of the occupants of the Sebring were released, except Kennieth Robinson, of D.C., who was arrested and charged with assault and battery. Police said that video surveillance showed that Robinson “was clearly visible as being the main culprit in the assault.”
Robinson was arrested and charged with assault and battery and released March 27 on $2,000 bond. He goes to court on April 11.
One person was arrested after an assault by mob in the West End on Saturday night (March 26).
Police reported that at around 9:20 p.m., police responded to a group of people fighting on a basketball court at in the 5600 Block of Sanger Avenue. No weapons were reported at the event, and the victim refused medical treatment after receiving minor injuries.
Kennieth Robinson, a 25-year-old Washington D.C. man was arrested and charged with assault and battery. He goes to court on April 11.
Notification::: There is a heavy police presence in the 5600 block of Sanger Avenue. This is in response to an assault by mob(physical altercation between groups of people). APD is on scene. pic.twitter.com/s13G8EHrSw
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) March 27, 2022
Alexandria Man Claims Trucker Convoy Assaulted Him — “D.C. police are looking into claims that participants in the trucker convoy assaulted a motorcyclist in the District last week. The encounter reportedly happened as an Alexandria, Virginia, man was traveling on Interstate 395 on the Francis Case Memorial Bridge back on Wednesday, March 16 after 3 p.m.” [WTOP]
Local Women Business Owners Celebrated — “The pioneering spirit that helped give women the right to vote just over 100 years ago is alive and well today as women-owned businesses grow across the city.” [Connection Newspaper]
Alexandria Wedding Showcase Returns — “To help couples prepare, the Alexandria Wedding Showcase, presented by Alexandria Living Magazine, is set for Sunday, April 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Alexandrian, 480 King St., in the heart of Old Town Alexandria.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]
Things to Do in the Area This Weekend — A listing of things to do this weekend in the area, including Cherry blossom guided tours with Pedego electric bikes Alexandria from March 19 to April 17 or through cherry blossom peak bloom [Patch]
It’s Friday — Mostly cloudy throughout the day. High of 59 and low of 47. Sunrise at 7:05 a.m. and sunset at 7:26 p.m. [Weather.gov]
Alexandria police officers responding to a domestic situation at a high-rise apartment building Monday night were confronted by a wanted man who allegedly attempted to run over officers as he made good his escape.
Police responded around 7 p.m. to the Foundry Apartments at 2470 Manderville Lane, a couple of blocks from the Eisenhower Avenue Metro station, after a woman called police and said she was concerned about her ex-boyfriend, who reportedly had a knife and broke her phone.
Once inside, officers reported that the man had taken off down the stairwell. Moments later, he hopped into a newer model Honda Pilot in which he used in an attempt to run over an officer who had arrived to assist, according to initial reports.
EMS personnel took the officer to the hospital, though the officer’s injuries were said to be non-life-threatening, according to APD.
Police are looking for the suspect and the black Honda Pilot with Maryland tags he was driving. It may have front-end damage and damage to the passenger-side door from trying to run over the officer.
According to one radio report, the man has an extensive rap sheet including several open warrants.
Notification:: There is a heavy police presence in the 2400 block of Mandeville Lane in response to a domestic dispute. During the encounter, an officer was struck by a vehicle and sustained non-life-threatening injuries, the officer was transported to a local hospital. pic.twitter.com/6unJNzQHdW
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) December 28, 2021
