crime | ALXnow - Part 36

AFD investigates suspected arson at vacant West End house

Published May 4, 2023 at 1:45PM | Updated May 4, 2023 at 3:27PM

There was a fire at 5173 Seminary Road at around 3 a.m. on April 19, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Fire Department suspects arson after a fire at an unoccupied house used for police and fire department training in the West End, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.

The fire at 5173 Seminary Road was reported by a passerby at around 3:45 a.m. on Wednesday, April 19, according to AFD. Firefighters arrived to find the boards used to secure the front windows of the vacant house were on fire, and the blaze spread into the interior of the building, according to the search warrant affidavit.

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Carjacking suspect arrested after midnight pursuit on King Street

By Vernon Miles

Published May 3, 2023 at 11:00AM

Police car lights (file photo)

Just after midnight this morning, the Arlington Police Department arrested a wanted suspect with some help from Alexandria and Fairfax police.

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Fairfax County man sentenced 10 years for 110-mph Duke Street crash that killed man

By James Cullum

Published May 1, 2023 at 3:45PM | Updated May 2, 2023 at 12:29PM

The Franklin P. Backus Courthouse at 520 King Street in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated 5:30 p.m.) A 45-year-old Fairfax County man was sentenced to 10 years in prison last Thursday for a 2022 crash on Duke Street that killed a Fairfax County man and injured four others.

Carlos Kami Adar McKethan pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence of drugs in connection with the death of 39-year-old Bizuayehu Bulti on the night of Feb. 22, according to Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter.

News

Teen arrested for attempted carjacking on Duke Street

By Vernon Miles

Published May 1, 2023 at 1:45PM

2727 Duke Street, site of an attempted carjacking (image via Google Maps)

A 14-year-old was arrested this weekend after an attempted carjacking on the 2700 block of Duke Street.

The incident occurred at Carydale East (2727 Duke Street) around 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 29.

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No arrest after shots fired in Landmark area Sunday morning

By James Cullum

Published May 1, 2023 at 10:45AM

Gunfire was reported in the 6200 block of Duke Street on April 30, 2023 (via Google Maps)

No one was injured and no arrests have been made after shots were fired in the 6200 block of Duke Street on Sunday morning.

Alexandria Police were dispatched at around 10:30 a.m. to the area near the Landmark Mall site after a driver called in the incident. The caller reportedly told police that the suspect was a male wearing all-black clothing and black sneakers with white soles.

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Police investigating armed carjacking in Old Town, vehicle recovered in Fairfax

By Vernon Miles

Published April 27, 2023 at 4:10PM

Alexandria Police at night (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating an armed carjacking that allegedly occurred in Old Town earlier today..

The incident allegedly took place around 2 p.m. near the 700 block of S. Alfred Street. According to the scanner, the victim told police a man in all-black clothing put a gun to the driver’s head and took the white Mercedes.

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Alexandria Police unveil strategy to combat crime surge

By James Cullum

Published April 26, 2023 at 3:30PM

Suspect arrested after shooting near Braddock Road Metro station (staff photo by James Cullum)

Adding police presence to high-crime areas, putting more cops in communities and strategically placing mobile camera units are just a few of the initial strategies that the Alexandria Police Department is employing to confront a crime surge.

APD Assistant Chief Easton McDonald briefed City Council on the uptick on Tuesday night, and also said that there is an increase in juvenile crime and crimes being committed by young people.

News

No bond for Fairfax County man arrested for West End shooting and allegedly eluding police

By James Cullum

Published April 26, 2023 at 10:45AM

A 28-year-old Fairfax County man was arrested earlier this month for a Jan. 4 shooting incident and a number of other charges, including drug and gun possession and eluding police (via Google Maps)

A 28-year-old Fairfax County man wanted for a Jan. 4 shooting incident faces numerous charges after allegedly striking an Alexandria Police Department cruiser in the Landmark area earlier this month.

Police arrested Mengesha Mnat after a brief chase on April 3, after he allegedly pulled into the 7-Eleven parking lot at 6120 Lincolnia Road, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. Police said Mnat parked facing the street and struck a police cruiser as APD approached his car to make an arrest.

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Suspect arrested after man shot in the neck in West End

By James Cullum

Published April 25, 2023 at 10:45AM

A man was shot in the 4oo block of N. Armistead Street on March 18, 2023 (via Google Maps)

An arrest has been made after an Alexandria man was shot in the neck while returning home to pick up clothes after a domestic dispute, police said in a recently released search warrant affidavit.

The incident occurred Saturday, March 18, near an apartment that the male victim shared with his child’s mother and child in the 400 block of N. Armistead Street. Prior to the shooting, police mediated a domestic assault complaint between the victim and his child’s mother in an apartment. The victim told police that he agreed to leave the apartment and made an arrangement to return to pick up clothes.

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Police respond to another shots fired and armed robbery over the weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published April 24, 2023 at 11:00AM

Alexandria Police at night (staff photo by James Cullum)

After a week of multiple high-profile shots fired calls, the Alexandria Police Department responded to yet another one on Sunday in the 5500 block of Trent Court.

Police responded to the call early Sunday morning but said no injuries were reported in connection to the incident.

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Police say West End shooting incidents last Saturday are likely related

By ALXnow.com

Published April 21, 2023 at 1:15PM | Updated April 21, 2023 at 1:31PM

Police car lights (file photo)

(Updated 1:30 p.m.) No suspects were arrested after two related incidents of gunfire from a chase between two vehicles in the West End last Saturday night (April 15).

The first incident occurred at 7:58 p.m. at Braddock Road and North Van Dorn Street, in the underpass below Interstate 395. Police said on the scanner that a black SUV was involved in a gunfight with another vehicle.