crime | ALXnow - Part 63

Morning Notes

Published September 7, 2021 at 5:00AM

Police assist in chase Friday night — “There is a heavy police presence in the area of North Latham Street and Taney Avenue due to a Virginia State Police pursuit that originated from out of the city. APD assisted and suspects have been taken into custody for non-violent offense(s).” [Twitter]

Alexandria Library eliminates fines for overdue items — “Here’s some great news for library patrons. Alexandria Library has decided to eliminate fines for overdue items. What is the reason for the change?” [Zebra]

News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published September 3, 2021 at 3:35PM

Alexandria was spared from significant flooding this week after remnants of Hurricane Ida swept through the East Coast. The only flooding found was on lower King Street in Old Town, where businesses laid sandbags at windows and doorways.

“We’re open inside, but if you want to eat you’re probably going to have to come barefoot,” a hostess at Mai Thai told ALXnow on Wednesday.

News

Man arrested for spending spree after finding wallet in Bradlee Shopping Center parking lot

By James Cullum

Published September 2, 2021 at 1:00PM

Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

A 31-year-old Fairfax County man was arrested for credit card theft and fraud last month after allegedly finding a wallet in the parking lot of the Bradlee Shopping Center and going on a spending spree.

On May 24, the male victim reported to police that he was the victim of fraud after losing his wallet in the parking lot. He said that someone made $423.99 and $1,097 purchases at a Target store in Falls Church, and then $314.96 at a T-Mobile store at 247 S. Van Dorn Street.

News

Man arrested after brief chase leads to hit-and-run near Holmes Run

By James Cullum

Published September 1, 2021 at 1:00PM

A 19-year-old Prince William County man was arrested after a brief chase near the 5200 block of Taney Avenue in the West End.

The incident occurred on Monday, August 9. An Alexandria Police officer was at a stationary traffic post in the 4800 block of Taney Avenue, when he tried to stop a black Ford sedan, according to a search warrant affidavit.

News

Man swallows two bags of drugs and runs from police in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published August 31, 2021 at 9:55AM

Alexandria Police in Old Town. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

A 35-year-old Alexandria man is being held without bond after swallowing two bags of drugs and running away from police on foot through Old Town North.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 11, at around 9:15 p.m. Police were called regarding a bronze Toyota Camry with severe damage was “excessively changing lanes” before parking near the Harris Teeter at N. Saint Asaph Street and Madison Street.

News

Alexandria man on run from police for more than a year after theft from gym in Carlyle

By James Cullum

Published August 30, 2021 at 2:15PM

An Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

A male suspected of breaking into a locker at a gym in the Carlyle area and going on a spending spree has been on the run for more than a year-and-a-half.

The incident at OneLife Fitness occurred on December 1, 2019. The victim told police that he locked his belongings with a Swiss turnstile lock, and returned 40 minutes later to find the lock gone and the locker empty. Among the items stolen were a $100 duffel bag, a sterling silver money clip, cash, credit cards, his driver’s license, and car and house keys, according to police.

News

No injuries or arrests after shots fired on Duke Street

By James Cullum

Published August 30, 2021 at 9:45AM

Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

No one was injured or arrested after shots were fired early Sunday evening (August 29) in the 4600 block of Duke Street in the West End.

The incident occurred at around 5:30 p.m. near the Shoppes at Fox Chase and the 4600 Duke Street Condominiums. A helicopter assisted in the search for the suspect.

News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 27, 2021 at 3:35PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

What a busy week in Alexandria. Here’s the rundown.

Alexandria City Public Schools reopened their doors to full-time in-person instruction on Tuesday, and there have been a few hiccups. On Friday, we published a video taken of a brawl inside Alexandria City High School, and a teenager was hit by a car while walking home from school in Del Ray on Thursday.

News

Alexandria man convicted for possessing child porn and violating parole

By James Cullum

Published August 27, 2021 at 9:45AM | Updated August 27, 2021 at 1:39PM

Federal courthouse (image via Google Maps)

A 58-year-old Alexandria man who spent years behind bars for possession of child pornography now faces at least 10 more years in prison after being convicted Thursday for the same offense in federal court.

James B. Clawson, Sr., was convicted in 2009 for possession of child pornography after it was discovered that he was the administrator for a forum dedicated to spreading around child porn. Clawson was on supervised release when, in July 2019, his probation officer found a laptop in a hidden shelf in his home, as well as multiple thumb drives with images of children having sex.

News

Alexandria man arrested for beating up ex-girlfriend in Old Town North

By James Cullum

Published August 26, 2021 at 1:00PM

Alexandria police (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

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.

News

Alexandria woman scammed of $15K by ‘friend’ with compromised Facebook account

By James Cullum

Published August 25, 2021 at 2:15PM | Updated August 27, 2021 at 1:41PM

Police car lights (file photo)

Alexandria Police are investigating the scamming theft of more than $15,000 from a woman who says she believed she was applying for a Community Services Block Grant.

The victim reported that she was contacted by a Facebook friend on July 24, and was unaware that her friend’s profile was compromised. The supposed friend told the victim that she was eligible for a $100,000 CSBG grant, and then referred her to a grant agent named Thomas Johnson, police said in a search warrant affidavit.