The Alexandria Police Department is investigating the theft of an ATM stolen from the 7-Eleven at 6120 Lincolnia Road in the West End early yesterday morning.
APD was notified of a hold-up alarm in the store at around 2:30 a.m. A store employee called police and said that four male suspects entered the store, that employees were told to keep their heads down, and that the suspect fled in a vehicle, according to the police scanner.
No injuries were reported, according to APD.
There have been a number of ATM thefts in and around Alexandria this year. In November, the Fairfax County Police Department announced it was investigating a series of ATM thefts that occurred near Alexandria. In May, a truck crashed into the CVS in Del Ray and suspects unsuccessfully tried to steal the ATM, followed by a theft from a Del Ray 7-Eleven in June.
Anyone with information on this incident can contact the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Officers are investigating a commercial robbery at 6120 Lincolnia Rd. There is a moderate police presence. No injuries have been reported.
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) December 11, 2023
(Updated 10 p.m.) The Alexandria Police Department is investigating two reports of gunshots over the weekend in the Seminary Valley neighborhood.
No injuries were reported from both incidents. The first occurred on Friday night (Dec. 8) at around 10:15 p.m. when an APD officer reported shots fired in the 5300 block of Taney Avenue. The officer chased two suspects on foot, but both eluded her by running through a neighborhood of townhomes, according to scanner traffic.
On Sunday at around 7 p.m., six-to-seven gunshots were reported just a few blocks away in the 500 block of N. Pickett Street. Police searched the area for about 30 minutes and no arrest was made, according to scanner traffic.
Anyone with information on either incident can contact the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Notification: Moderate police presence in the 5300 block of Taney Avenue due to an illegal discharge of a weapon. APD is investigating and seeking potential suspects involved. pic.twitter.com/NQ1O3Txr0l
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) December 9, 2023
What makes a good bus stop?
Though Alexandrians probably shouldn’t expect Arlington’s $1 million bus stop, the city is looking for feedback on what kind of amenities should be included on the new West End Transitway.
The West End Transitway is a proposed bus rapid transit system that will run from the Van Dorn Metro station, past the new Landmark development and Mark Center, up to Shirlington.
According to the city website:
The West End Transitway will connect major transit facilities – Van Dorn Metrorail Station, a new transit hub at the former Landmark Mall site, Mark Center Transit Center, a new Southern Towers transit hub, Shirlington Transit Center, and the Pentagon Transit Center – and several neighborhoods along the corridor – Van Dorn/Landmark, a redeveloped Landmark Mall, and Beauregard. This is one of three BRT corridors planned for the City, including the existing Metroway line.
A survey by the city shared a concept for a bus station on the new West End Transitway and asked residents what they do or don’t like about their current bus stops.
The survey also asks bus riders to rank their priorities for new station amenities, including:
- Smart lighting that gets brighter when a person is at the station
- Trees to shade the area
- Solar power to reduce energy use
- Free WiFi
- Interactive screens
- Charging stations for e-bikes or scooters nearby
- Highly visible station names
- Charging ports for phones or other devices
The city’s website said design for the West End Transitway will run through mid-2024, with construction lasting from early 2025 to mid-2027. The first phase of the West End Transitway should begin operating in 2027.
A man was allegedly robbed by four males on Monday afternoon on Yoakum Parkway in Alexandria’s West End.
At around 4:45 p.m., the 38-year-old victim reported to the Alexandria Police Department that he’d been robbed by four males while walking in the 200 block of Yoakum Parkway. The victim told police that he’d been walking with $50 in his hand, and that that’s what the suspects took.
The victim was not injured and no weapon was used, according to APD.
No arrest has been made in connection to this incident, but the case remains active and it remains under investigation, according to APD.
Anyone with information about this incident can contact the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Notification:: In response to a robbery, there is a moderate police presence in the vicinity of the 200 block of Yoakum Parkway. No injuries were reported in connection with this incident. APD is on scene and investigating. pic.twitter.com/DBUbfXStTG
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) November 27, 2023
A 35-year-old man was stabbed in an attempted robbery Wednesday night, according to the Alexandria Police Department.
APD was notified at around 11 p.m. that the victim was stabbed in the arm in an attempted robbery in a parking lot in the 5600 block of Derby Court, which is near William Ramsay Elementary School, the William Ramsay Recreation Center and the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center.
The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital. No suspect information was released to the public. APD sent out a notification at 11:40 p.m. to expect a moderate police presence in the area, and the Alexandria Fire Department dispatcher said that the victim was intoxicated.
Anyone with information on the incident can contact the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Notification: Moderate police presence in the 5600 block of Derby Court. An adult male has been stabbed and sustained non-life-threatening injuries during an attempted robbery. He is being transported for medical treatment. APD is investigating at this time. pic.twitter.com/9SPswUBW2q
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) November 30, 2023
If you’ve never heard of or been to Winkler Botanical Preserve, you’re not alone.
In a 2021 poll, over 55% of ALXnow readers had never heard of the Winkler Botanical Preserve and nearly 20% had heard of it but never gone there. A little over 5% said they go to the park frequently.
But that could be changing as NOVA Parks works to make the park more accessible and involved in local partnerships.
A little over a year after NOVA Parks took ownership of the Winkler Botanical Preserve, NOVA Parks and city leaders met to commemorate the changes over the last year, unveil a new sign by the central pond, and look ahead to what’s coming for the park.
Sean Kumar, NOVA Parks Board vice chair, said that over the last year over 600 Alexandria City Public Schools students have gone to the park and 56 students were involved in the summer camp at the park.
“I’m so excited by what NOVA Parks has been able to do in such a short time,” said Mayor Justin Wilson. “This is a great community resource. In an area without a lot of community green space, we have the best community green space. I appreciate the incredible act of charity and vision that led to this park.”
“This is truly a hands-on experience for children to engage with,” Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt said to Kumar. “On behalf of students and staff, thank you.”
The park is described on the NOVA Parks website as a 44-acre oasis in the middle of Alexandria’s Mark Center. Those 44 acres contain two herds of deer, foxes, herons and more.
While the park is a beautiful resource, NOVA Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert said parking remains a challenge for making the park truly accessible to the community.
“The weak link in the preserve is a significant lack of parking,” Gilbert said. “We can’t even have tree identification hikes because we only have eight parking spots.”
Gilbert said NOVA Parks is working on plans to expand the parking, and he hopes to start the permitting process by this upcoming spring.
“The ideal would be enough space to bring in a school bus to come in and turn around,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert said he hopes more parking would get people out to what he described as a spectacular park and a learning opportunity.
“It’s a botanical preserve, too; it’s more than an opportunistic forest,” Gilbert said. “The Winklers cultivated and grew native plants. There’s an impressive collection of native plant life and a low level of invasive species.”
Gilbert said his dream for the Winkler Botanical Preserve would be for every ACPS student to visit at least once.
“Wouldn’t it be great if every child in Alexandria came here at least once and experienced a forest in this city?” Gilbert asked.
Park Manager Rachel Doody said one of her favorite parts about working at the park is seeing the reaction of local students.
“I love what we’ve seen with summer camps,” Doody said. “The look in their eyes when they see the waterfall and the pond. One girl right behind me said ‘That’s a waterfall! Where are we?'”
Winkler Botanical Preserve is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A Metropolitan Police officer has been charged with one felony count of eluding police after allegedly crashing into a car near the Seminary Road exit of Interstate 395.
Just before midnight on Wednesday (Nov. 22), Virginia State Police reported investigating a four-door blue Tesla driving 95 miles per hour in a 55 mile-per-hour zone on I-395 near the Seminary Road exit. The state trooper attempted to pull the driver over, and he instead took the Seminary Road exit, allegedly ran a red light and smashed into a Honda Civic.
The driver, 25-year-old Peter McCauley, was reportedly driving his own vehicle and had a 28-year-old female passenger, who was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The 22-year-old female driver of the Honda also reportedly suffered minor injuries. Everyone involved in the crash wore seatbelts, according to VSP.
“The impact of the crash caused the Tesla to run off the road and strike the Jersey wall,” VSP said in a release. “Meanwhile, the Honda ran off the road and struck the Jersey wall and a light pole.”
McCauley is an MPD officer and his police powers have been revoked, according to the Washington Post.
VSP said that the incident remains under investigation.
The crash was recorded by STATter 911.
UPDATED: With video of the blue Tesla as it exited I-395.
Crash #caughtoncamera: A @VSPPIO trooper tried to catch up with a car he witnessed speeding on I-395S. The car exited at Seminary Road in Alexandria and headed east. That's where it appeared to have run a light and hit… pic.twitter.com/txtvEaNMxx
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) November 23, 2023
(Updated 4:20 p.m.) The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a dead woman found inside a parked car at a gas station in the West End of the city.
APD was notified of an unresponsive woman sitting in the parking lot of the Liberty gas station at 3468 King Street at around 8:15 a.m.
Police found an unresponsive person inside a black Hyundai with dealer tags, according to the police scanner. APD said in an update later that the person in the car was a woman, despite earlier reports the person was male.
At 10:55 a.m., police notified the public to expect a moderate police presence in the area.
Anyone with information on this incident can call the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Notification:: There is a moderate police presence in response to a deceased adult male being found in a vehicle in the 4300 block of King Street. APD is on the scene investigating at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the non-emergency line at 703.746.4444. pic.twitter.com/f6aTs1UFF4
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) November 27, 2023
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of self-harm, call 911 or the Department of Human Services’ emergency services line at 703-746-3401. CrisisLink also has a 24-hour crisis hotline at 703-527-4077 or 800-SUICIDE, or text 703-940-0888.
A 40-year-old man suffered a head injury when he was robbed in the West End early this morning, according to scanner traffic.
The Alexandria Police Department (APD) was notified at around 2:30 a.m. that a man was beaten and robbed outside an apartment building in the 5700 block of Merton Court, near the intersection with N. Beauregard Street in the Mark Center area.
Police tweeted that the man suffered non-life-threatening injuries and that money was taken. No suspect description was provided.
Anyone with information on the incident can call the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Notification: There is a moderate police presence for the report of a person being robbed in the 5700 block of Merton Court. Money was taken from an adult male who sustained minor injuries. APD is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call 703-746-4444. pic.twitter.com/3WQUQE3kTa
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) November 21, 2023
(Updated at 2:35 p.m.) Alexandria police arrested a West End man on Sunday afternoon for allegedly brandishing a handgun against his neighbor outside of their apartment complex.
The incident occurred at around 2:45 p.m. in a parking lot in the 2200 block of N. Beauregard Street. Police confirmed that there was a brandishing incident by speaking with witnesses at the scene, and the suspect and the victim were screaming at each other, according to the police scanner.
As the suspect was being arrested, a neighbor told ALXnow that the suspect also pulled a gun on him two months ago.
“It was right outside here at around 9 or 10 p.m.,” the neighbor said. “I did nothing. I was walking across the street and coming home and he was standing there with his gun and he said, ‘Halt,’ and pointed a gun at me. I stopped. He apologized to me. He told me that it was a mistake.”
The man was arrested and charged with brandishing a firearm, according to APD. His identity was not released.
Anyone with additional information can contact the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
