Police Release Photos of Suspect's Car in Springfield Kidnapping

Car followed victim's car as he was forced to drive to banks.

Fairfax County Police Department detectives have a new clue in the abduction of a Springfield man from his home earlier this month: a photo of a car that could have been used to help the suspected kidnappers.  In the early morning hours of May 9, last Wednesday, three men reportedly kidnapped a man from in front of his Cumberland Avenue home at gunpoint. The suspected kidnappers forced him to drive them in his car to two banks, where he withdrew money from ATMs. After taking the money, the reported kidnappers cut their victim before leaving him crammed in his car's trunk. The suspects abandoned the car in Annandale and fled. The photos, captured on Commerce Street, are of a car following the reported victim's car. While the suspects had …

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National Police Week Poignant for County Officers

May marks National Police Week and the anniversary of the 2006 shooting deaths of two Fairfax County officers.

May is a difficult month for Fairfax County Police Chief David Rohrer and his department. May 8 marks the sixth anniversary of the tragic shooting deaths of two FCPD officers. In conjunction with National Police Week 2012, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed May 13 - 19 as Police Week and May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in the county.  On a dreary afternoon on May 8, 2006, Michael Kennedy, a Centreville teen, opened fire at Detective Vicky Armel and Officer Michael Garbarino in the back parking lot of the Sully District Station. Armel was killed and Garbarino was severely injured. He died from his wounds nine days later. “The officers of the Fairfax County Police Department and the Fairfax County Sherriff’s Department …

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Look Back, Look Ahead: Fairfax County News to Know

A cocaine ring, school security cameras and more in the news this week across Fairfax County.

Here’s a look at some of the top Patch stories of the past week from across southern Fairfax County and a look at what’s coming up: Cocaine Ring More than two dozen people from Northern Virginia were arrested in connection with a Honduran cocaine ring. According to case documents, those charged — largely Honduran immigrants who have lived in Northern Virginia for the past seven years — hired couriers to smuggle cocaine to the United States, usually through wooden shoes or picture frames. In other crime news, police arrested Gloria Alfreda McMillan and charged her with a felony hit and run that resulted in the death of 21-year-old Shelinda Delores Arrington earlier in May on Harrison Lane in the Groveton area. School Security Cameras The …

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Beth Lawton

3:24 pm on Monday, May 14, 2012

Sorry we weren't able to get out there! I'm glad it was so successful. You (or any community member!) can post an announcement on our site with photos at any time, and we love getting contributions from the community. Just click on 'announcements' above and then on 'click an announcement' to the right. Thanks!   more ›

Springfield Residents Among 28 Arrested for Honduran Cocaine Ring

Group allegedly smuggled cocaine into Northern Virginia, wired money to South America

Two Springfield residents allegedly participated in a cocaine ring which smuggled the drug into Northern Virginia, distributed it across the East Coast, then wired more than $1 million back to suppliers in Honduras over several years. Twenty-eight people were charged with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine in connection with the case, officials from the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigations announced Wednesday. The charge carries a minimum mandatory of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, U.S. Attorney's office spokesman Peter Carr said. Joel Lopez, 41, and Gloria Elena Olivia Castro, 25, both of Springfield, Va., were arrested by law enforcement for allegedly …

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Springfield Man Abducted, Robbed, Stuffed in Trunk

Suspects cut victim with a knife and left him near Braddock Road.

Three men abducted a Springfield man from outside his home, forced him to withdraw money from ATMs, and left him in the trunk of his car early Wednesday morning, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. Around 1:30 a.m., the 22-year-old victim was leaving his home on the 6100 block of Cumberland Avenue, near the Concord Shopping Center and Springfield Plaza. Three men with their faces covered approached him, demanding that he get into his own car at gunpoint.  The robbers drove the man to two banks, where they made him withdraw cash from the ATMs. The robbers then forced the man into the trunk of his car and drove the car to Piedmont Place near Braddock Road in the Annandale area. One suspect opened the trunk, cut the victim with…

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Burke Man Arrested, Charged With Sexually Assaulting Manassas Woman

Prince William County Police arrest FCPD employee James Summers.

Police Blotter

Twelve-Year-Old Escapes Assault

The West Springfield District of the Fairfax County Police Department supplied the following information. Arrests mentioned do not indicate a conviction.

West Springfield District Police report the following incidents in the Burke area for the week ending May 2, 2012. Assault: On April 28 at 8:30 p.m. at Keene Drive/Sydenstricker Road, a 12-year-old victim reported someone attempted to grab him. He hit the suspect, yelled “let me go”, and was able to run away. The suspect was described as black, approximately 5’8” and in his 20s. Burglary: On April 26 at 4:30 p.m. a homeowner reported someone broke-in and stole jewelry. Forced entry was made through a rear door of the home in the 7500 block of South Valley Drive. Indecent Exposure:  The victim reported indecent exposure by a man in a vehicle in the 4300 block of Americana Drive. He was described as black, about 30 years old, with brown hair…

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Bites Lead Animal Control Reports in April

Animal control responded to multiple calls for dog bites in addition to an attack on therapeutic riding program horses in Herndon.

Every week, the Fairfax County Police Department releases a list of Animal Control incidents at the end of its weekly incident report. Patch is compiling these responses at the end of each month. Animal Wounding Between April 25 and 26, three horses were wounded near Frying Pan Farm Park in the 2600 block of Centreville Road. The horses were cut by a sharp object on their hind quarters, leaving about eight-inch gashes. Police say the horses were hurt between 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25 and 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 26. The Fairfax County Police are asking for the public's assistance in finding out who harmed the horses. Animal Bite At 2 p.m. on April 4, a postal carrier was making a delivery on the 5800 block of North Kings Highway …

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Update: Shooting Reported At Burke Target

Burke resident dies of gunshot wound.

We have published a follow-up to this story with information and resources to help the community cope with and heal from this tragic event.  Read it here: Suicide Prevention and Survivor Healing UPDATED 5:00 p.m. A 56-year-old Burke woman died from a gunshot wound to the head Tuesday, according to Fairfax County Police. “Preliminarily, our detectives believe this shooting was self-inflicted,” said Lucy Caldwell, Fairfax County Police Public Information Officer.  “The final determination, however, will be made by the Office of the Medical Examiner.” The woman’s identity will be released once next of kin are notified. Police responded to the Target store in Burke at about noon today for the report of a shooting. Witnesses report seeing EMS …

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