Public Security – week of August 19, 2022 | public safety

Fairfax County Trainee Firefighter James Gupton of Mount Vernon B-Shift Engine 409 crew rescued a kitten from a storm drain earlier this week. Fairfax County Police Department animal protection officers turned the kitten over to the animal shelter for possible adoption.

Arlington man charged with homicide at Falls Church

OOfficers responded to an apartment in the 2900 block of Willston Place in the Falls Church section of Fairfax County for the report of a domestic dispute at 3:05 p.m. on August 10.

A neighbor called the police after hearing a man and a woman arguing in an adjacent apartment. Officers observed smoke emanating from the apartment upon arrival. Inside the apartment they found Silvia Vaca Abacay, 40, of Falls Church, on fire and suffering from multiple stab wounds to her upper body. First responders extinguished the fire and attempted to provide lifesaving measures. Sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy to determine the exact cause and circumstances of death.

Detectives, with the assistance of professional support staff, conducted an investigative scan of the apartment and identified a person of interest, Richard Montano, 47, of Arlington. Surveillance footage of Montano entering the home prior to the murder was found and distributed to officers and the community.

Beforehand, detectives believe Montano broke into the apartment, assaulted Abacay, and set it on fire. He fled the apartment and eventually returned to his residence in Arlington. Fairfax County Police detectives from the Special Investigations Unit and the Fugitive Tracking and Apprehension Squad, as well as the Arlington County Police Department, located Montano near his home and arrested him without incident. He was taken to Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and charged with second degree murder, burglary with intent to commit murder and setting fire to an occupied dwelling. He was held without bail.

Court date set for Tysons shooting suspect

Evidence presented at a Fairfax County General District Court preliminary hearing into the malicious discharge of a firearm and other weapons charges against a Washington, D.C. man is sufficient for the decision to a judge be certified to the grand jury, according to a statement from the Fairfax Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.

Noah Settles, 22, faces three counts of maliciously discharging a weapon into an occupied building, one count of attempted malicious injury and one count of maliciously injuring a firearm for the June 18 incident at Tysons Corner Center. Settles, who faces up to 43 years in prison, has been held without bond since turning himself in to Fairfax County police.

“People can’t come into Fairfax County and shoot a gun in a crowded mall without expecting to be fully prosecuted,” Fairfax County District Attorney Steve Descano said. “This kind of behavior is unacceptable and deserves a long prison sentence.

Settles is due in court again on September 22 at 9 a.m.

Hospital guard arrested for sexual assault

A 21-year-old man has been arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault while working as a hospital attendant.

On July 7, the victim reported to a hospital technician that his former caregiver had sexually assaulted him in April. His caretaker fondled the victim’s genitals twice. The victim, who requires 24/7 care due to his condition, was receiving long-term care at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital at 3600 Joseph Siewick Drive in Fairfax.

Fairfax County Police Detectives from the Major Crimes Bureau were notified on July 8 and responded to take on the investigation. Detectives identified the hospital attendant as Hektor Fernando Alvarez of Falls Church. Alvarez was employed by Metropolitan Healthcare Services (MHS), a company hired by Inova to provide on-call services to patients. He is no longer employed by MHS. After a month of investigation by detectives, Alvarez was arrested on August 9 for aggravated sexual assault of a victim by mental incapacitation or impotence. He was held without bail, but was later released on bail.

Through the investigation, detectives learned that Alvarez is currently employed as a medical technician at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington County. So far, no incidents have been reported at this location. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this case or who believes Hektor Fernando Alvarez had inappropriate contact to call the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 3. Tips may also be submitted anonymously. via Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477).

Fair Oaks townhouse fire caused by improperly discarded smoking materials

Fairfax County and City of Fairfax Fire and Rescue Services were dispatched to a reported townhouse fire in the 12000 block of Dorforth Drive in the Fair Oaks area at 6:37 a.m. on August 10 .

Units arrived at the scene of a three-story townhouse in the middle of the row with smoke billowing from the roof. Crews quickly located a fire on the aft deck, which quickly spread to the roof and attic. A second alarm has been requested. Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control, which prevented the fire from spreading to adjoining houses. No civilians or firefighters were injured.

Two occupants were in their home at the time of the fire. A FCFRD firefighter, driving by after leaving duty, saw the fire, stopped, called 9-1-1 and knocked on the townhouse door to alert the occupants of the fire. They evacuated safely before firefighters arrived.

Fire investigators determined that the fire was accidental in nature and started on the after deck. The fire was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials.

Two occupants were displaced due to the fire. Red Cross assistance was offered and refused. Damage from the fire amounted to approximately $93,750.

In one case, officers found additional undeclared currency during a baggage search.

Dulles customs officers seize $95,000 in undeclared currency

With the cost of fuel and consumer goods at historic highs, it’s imperative to save money. For international travelers, it’s as simple as honestly declaring all currencies they travel in upon inspection with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.

United States Customs and Border Protection officers at Washington Dulles International Airport continue to encounter travelers who violate national currency reporting laws. Officers seized more than $95,000 in undeclared currency in three recent incidents.

Three groups of travelers recently learned this invaluable lesson after CBP officers seized a total of $95,397 in undeclared currency at Washington Dulles International Airport.

Two groups of travelers were attempting to board departing international flights when CBP officers encountered them. A couple bound for Lebanon handed over $29,052 to CBP officers on July 21 and a family bound for Nepal handed over $32,001 to CBP officers on July 26. On July 31, a South Korean family handed over $34,344 to CBP officers after arriving on a flight from South Korea. .

In each case, CBP officers uncovered more information during the baggage examination than the travelers reported to CBP officers. CBP officers seized their change and released all travelers to continue their journey.

There is no limit to the amount of currency or other monetary instruments travelers can bring into or take out of the United States. However, federal law [31 USC 5316] requires travelers to report all currency of $10,000 or more to a CBP officer and complete the U.S. Treasury Department’s Report on the International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments [FINCEN 105].

The consequences of violating U.S. currency reporting laws are severe – from missing a flight and disrupting vacation plans, to having all their currency seized by a Customs and Border Protection officer, and even face potential criminal prosecution for smuggling bulk currency.

CBP is not releasing any of the names of the travelers because none have been criminally charged.

“For some reason, travelers keep betting that Customs and Border Protection officers won’t find their currency undeclared and concealed, but they quickly learn that’s a bad bet,” said Daniel Escobedo, CBP Regional Port Manager for the Washington Regional Port. , DC “These seizures should remind all travelers of the importance of being honest and complying with the laws of our country, including federal currency reporting requirements.”

Springfield man arrested after robbery

An 18-year-old man and two minors approached the victim in the 5500 block of Vincent Gate Terrace at 5.30pm on August 7. One of the miners pulled out a gun, assaulted him and took his property.

Alvin Ou, 18, of Springfield, was arrested and charged with theft and possession of a Schedule I/II drug.

Man arrested for taking goods without paying

A 27-year-old man took goods from Home Depot at 6691 Frontier Drive without paying at 2 p.m. on August 8. When confronted by a store employee, the man held up a knife and fled the area.

Officers found Robert Holt, 27, of no fixed address, nearby and arrested him for robbery. No injuries were reported.

Lorton man dies in motorcycle crash

A 43-year-old man from Lorton died following a fatal accident on August 13.

Officers responded at 5:46 p.m. to Henderson Road near Devereux Station Lane to the accident involving a 2007 Honda 600RR motorcycle and a 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Fire and rescue workers said the motorcycle driver, Abdul Lee, died at the scene.

Beforehand, detectives from the Fairfax County Police Accident Reconstruction Unit determined that Lee was traveling east on Henderson Road. It crossed the double yellow center line near Devereux Station Lane and collided head-on with the Grand Cherokee. The driver of the Grand Cherokee was uninjured and remained in place. Detectives do not believe alcohol was a factor and are continuing to investigate speed as a factor in the crash.

Man arrested after putting goods in pockets

City of Fairfax police responded to the Home Depot at 3201 Old Lee Hwy. for a 7:20 p.m. flight on August 14.

The reporting person stated that a male subject was observed removing the merchandise from its packaging and placing it in his pockets. Officers located the subject with the items in his possession.

Edwin Perez Alvarado, 32, of Fairfax, was charged with petty larceny and released on a summons. Perez Alvarado has an upcoming date in City Court.