It was a short, but news-filled week in Alexandria.
With Monday off in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we started the week running with a COVID-19 update. Cases of COVID-19 in the city now stand at 8,975 and fatalities are at 99. That’s an increase of three deaths and 165 cases since Tuesday, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
Alexandria Police are investigating a series of hit-and-runs that damaged cars in the West End last month.
On Dec. 13 at around 11:15 p.m., Alexandria police responded to the area of N. Van Dorn Street and Sanger Avenue in the West End in reference to a motor vehicle crash.
Just after midnight on Dec. 21, Alexandria Police received a 911 call from a city resident saying that she could hear a woman screaming for help in the 2200 block of N. Van Dorn Street in the West End.
The woman in distress allegedly pulled out a knife when approached by police, and was then commanded to drop it. An officer used a TASER on the woman and she was placed in handcuffs, according to a search warrant affidavit.
A 52-year-old Alexandria man has been charged with driving while intoxicated in a crash on Jan. 5 that put a 59-year-old man in critical condition.
“The victim was transported to an area hospital, where he lost both legs as a result of the crash,” Alexandria Police reported. “He remains in critical but stable condition.”
New taco shop, Taco Rock 2 is opening today at the western edge of Alexandria.
Chef Mike Cordero announced in a press release that the spin-off of Rosslyn-based Taco Rock is opening at 6548 Little River Turnpike in the Pinecrest Plaza shopping center.
Police are investigating another shots fired call at 5700 Eliot Court — barely a block away from a shooting last week — even as the police department prepares for a presentation at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
Police said on social media that the police responded to a shots fired call at Eliot Court in the West End at around 11 p.m. last night (Thursday). Senior Public Information Officer Amanda Paga told ALXnow that multiple shell casings were found at the scene but there was no property damage.
Two Fairfax County men were arrested last month and charged with drunkenness, resisting arrest and assault and battery after a fight at a West End bar.
On Dec. 11, police arrived at the Hashtag Restaurant & Lounge at 654 South Pickett Street and found the 23-year-old and 22-year-old men with swollen knuckles and welts on their faces. Both men were highly intoxicated and told police that they were assaulted while they fought by bar security staff and a bartender.
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in the parking lot of the Safeway at 299 S. Van Dorn Street and is in serious condition, according to Alexandria Police.
The incident was reported at 2:54 p.m. by police via Twitter, and involved multiple cars.
Police are currently investigating a “shots fired” incident in the West End, a few blocks from John Adams Elementary School.
Senior Public Information Officer Amanda Paga told ALXnow that the incident occurred on the 5700 block of Dunster Court. Paga said police confirmed that evidence of shots fired was recovered at the scene, but there were no reported injuries. Police are currently investigating.
What a year, right?
Even though the fireworks, scavenger hunt and live musical performances have been called off, there are still opportunities to get a taste of Alexandria this New Year’s Eve.
A 22-year-old Alexandria man was arrested last month for receiving a stolen firearm and resisting arrest in the West End.
The man was arrested on Nov. 24 after police responded to a call that a suspect walked into the 7-Eleven store at 4949 Seminary Road in the Southern Towers apartment complex, brandished a handgun and allegedly stated that “he would kill everyone,” according to a police search warrant affidavit.
