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.

Via Google Maps 

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 IX  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.

A  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.

Via Google Maps

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

Via Google Maps

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

Overall, Alexandria’s Part 1 crime rate is down 9% compared to 2020, but it’s still 8% higher than 2019, according to recently released figures.

Police released the city’s Part 1 crime statistics for 2021, as of Dec. 7, and included are the reported numbers of homicides, rapes, robberies, auto thefts, larcenies, burglaries and aggravated assaults.

There have been two homicides so far this year — a woman killed earlier this month and the stabbing death of a man in September. Both incidents occurred in the West End of the City.

Burglaries saw the biggest increase in number this year, with 39% more than in 2020 and 50% more than in 2019. Aggravated assaults increased 3% when compared to 2020, and 10% more than in 2019.

All other Part 1 crime has gone down. There have been 10 reported rapes so far this year, 16% less than in 2020 and 50% less than in 2019; Auto thefts have gone down 32% when compared to 2020, but just 5% more than in 2019; and with the holidays weeks away, larcenies are down 9% so far compared to last year, but 7% higher than in 2019.

The below numbers are not finalized and are subject to change.

Alexandria Police are reporting double-digit increases in burglary and drunk driving arrests so far this year.

In an update to the Health and Safety Coordinating Committee, police reported a 35% increase in driving while intoxicated arrests (136 incidents) — as of August 2021.

The DWI arrests were expected, police said, “as COVID-19 restrictions have lightened and nightlife activities expanded their hours and operation this year.”

There has also been a a 63% increase in burglaries, with 135 reported arrests over the 83 at this point in 2020.

“While the rate has slowed from the pace through April, this increase is driven by an increase in Commercial Burglaries due to Asian restaurants being targeted early in the calendar year, a Fairfax County-based juvenile crew heavily targeting Northern Virginia in March through May, stealing currency from registers, and residential burglaries,” police reported.

The theft of vehicle parts also jumped 49%, and the theft of car parts valued at over $1,000 (mostly tires, catalytic converters and airbags) jumped 106%.

There have been 127 aggravated assaults so far this year, down from 136 at this point in 2020; eight rapes reported this year, down from 11 in 2020; and 65 robberies in 2021, up from 63 in 2020.

There have been no homicides so far this year, while there was one homicide by this point in 2020 (three total in 2020) and one homicide in 2019 (two overall for that year).

The latest report on crime statistics from @AlexandriaVAPD was presented at last week’s Health & Safety Coordinating Committee.

Great partnership between our Police and our community in reducing auto thefts.

Still work to do on burglaries, both commercial and residential. pic.twitter.com/TM1AF6Y97r

— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) September 7, 2021

A 30-year-old Alexandria man is being held without bond after allegedly committing sexual battery on a woman  and following other women in the Landmark area on Thursday night.

Police responded to the 300 block of S. Reynolds Street at around 5:45 p.m. to investigate a report of a disorderly person, according to a release.

“While gathering information, APD learned that the adult male suspect had committed sexual battery on a female victim and was following other women in the area,” police reported. “At the time of his arrest, he appeared to be under the influence.”

Tonio Richardson was arrested and charged with sexual battery, simple assault, and public intoxication. He was also positively identified by the victim, police said.

NOTIFICATION: There is police activity in the 200 & 300 blocks of S Reynolds St. Officers responding to reports of sexual battery took a male suspect into custody.

— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) September 9, 2021

Via Google Maps

A 24-year-old Alexandria man was arrested last week and released on bond after allegedly beating his ex-girlfriend with a chain and his fists in Old Town North, according to court records.

Herman Stitt was arrested Aug. 20 and released on bond the same day after allegedly fighting with his ex-girlfriend at her home at Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority property in the 800 block of Montgomery Street in Old Town.

The incident occurred at around midnight on June 23, and police found the victim crying with injuries to her face and right eye, according to a search warrant affidavit.

The victim told police that Stitt pushed her to the ground, possibly knocking her unconscious.

“When she woke up, she stood up and Mr. Stitt proceeded to punch her in the face approximately 10 times with a closed fist,” police reported in the search warrant, adding that the victim claimed Still beat her with a broken-off metal chain from her purse strap. “(The victim’s) injuries included a burst blood vessel in her right eye, cuts on her lips and chin, an abrasion on her right knee and welts across her right shoulder and back, in the shape of a chain.”

Police said that Stitt, who has an extensive criminal record, is a known member of the Alexandria-based Mob 4 Life gang, which is responsible for area violence over the last several years.

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.”

Via Google Maps