TLHCA

Arlington Police Investigate Series of Assaults; Three incidents may be related

ARLINGTON POLICE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ASSAULTS
THEY ASK FOR YOU TO BE VIGILANT AND PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION YOU MAY LEARN
The Arlington County Police Department is investigating three attacks on women. Detectives believe the three incidents may be related. The most recent attack was an attempted abduction that occurred on Thursday, May 10, 2007, in the Virginia Square neighborhood. At approximately 2:38 a.m. a woman walking alone in the 4000 block of Washington Boulevard heard someone running up behind her. Before the victim could turn around, a man tried to put a plastic bag over her head. The woman pushed the bag away and fought against her attacker who immediately fled on foot.

A similar attempted abduction occurred on Tuesday, April 16, in the 1400 block of N. Nash Street in Rosslyn. At approximately 11:30 p.m. a woman was walking to her parked car when she was attacked from behind by a man who placed a plastic bag over her face and tried to pull her backwards. The victim turned around, screamed and struck the suspect with her handbag. The man then fled on foot.

Those two attacks may be related to a third incident on March 5 in the 1500 block of N. Key Boulevard in Rosslyn. At approximately 9:45 p.m. a woman was walking down the street when a man came up behind her and groped her. The victim turned to confront the suspect who then walked away.

The suspect is described as a black male, 20 to 30 years old, 5’10” to 6’ tall, with a medium build, light to medium complexion and a clean shaven face.

Anyone with information about these cases, or about similar attacks that might be related, is asked to contact Detective D.R. Cupka at (703) 228-4193. The police encourage women to avoid walking alone, especially after dark and in the early morning, to stay in well lit areas if possible, and to be aware of their surroundings. They recommend that if you wear headphones to keep the volume low to hear what is going on around you.