Tag: crime
Police believe burglaries at Asian American homes might be linked
Fairfax County Police are investigating eight residential burglaries that targeted Asian Americans, most of whom are local business owners. One of the burglaries, on Jan. 12, occurred on the 3200 block of Holly Berry Court in Annandale. When the victim returned home, she noticed her jewelry was missing. There were no signs of forced entry. … Continued
Police identify victims killed in bloody stabbing incident
Fairfax County Police have identified the victims killed in a bloody stabbing incident on Feb. 23 and the perpetrator killed in a police-involved shooting. Mamta Thapa, 33, and Binda Thapa, 52, were stabbed shortly before 5 a.m. at Margate Manor in the 3900 block of Persimmon Circle in the Mantua area of Fairfax. When police … Continued
Man who stabbed family members to death killed by police
A Fairfax County police officer shot and killed a suspect on Feb. 23 in the Mantua area who was in the process of stabbing members of his own family with a dagger. The man’s daughter and wife died from their injuries, and his son-in-law is in the hospital in a life-threatening condition, said Police Chief … Continued
Woman arrested for carjacking
Police arrested a woman for carjacking in Bailey’s Crossroads on Feb. 12. The victim reported that a woman approached his vehicle shortly before 2 a.m. in the 5900 block of Seminary Road and asked for a ride. When the victim refused, the suspect opened the door and pulled the victim out of the vehicle. The … Continued
Brendan Banfield convicted of aggravated murder
In a case that drew national attention, Brendan Banfield was convicted of aggravated murder on Feb. 2 for killing his wife, Christine Banfield, 37, and Joseph Ryan, 39, Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced on Feb. 2. The crime occurred at the Banfield’s home in Reston on Feb. 24, 2023. The jury convicted Banfield, a law … Continued
Virginia leaders denounce ICE
Virginia’s two senators and congressional representatives from Northern Virginia are speaking out against ICE after the murders of two protestors in Minneapolis. Sen. Tim Kaine said he won’t support the House-approved appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security because it lacks “effective safeguards against ICE operations that inflame tensions within our cities, terrorize our … Continued
Man convicted of 2021 ATM murder
Winston Nathaniel Lark IV, 20, was convicted by a jury of first-degree felony murder for killing Nelson Alexander, 73, during an ATM robbery, Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced Jan. 22. Lark was also convicted of using a firearm in committing a murder. In the early morning of Oct. 20, 2021, Alexander, of Falls Church, went … Continued
Police arrest two suspects for carjacking
Fairfax County Police arrested two suspects for carjacking in Annandale. On Jan. 11 at about 1:45 a.m., officers responded to the 7400 block of Little River Turnpike in Annandale for a carjacking. The victim reported that a known suspect, who had been riding inside the victim’s vehicle, brandished a firearm and demanded that he exit … Continued
Scam targets land use applicants
Fairfax County is warning the public about a new scam. People submitting applications through the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) have been receiving fraudulent emails asking for payment that appear to come from the Department of Planning and Development. These messages may reference real application numbers or upcoming hearings and may include fake invoices … Continued
Annandale HS instructor charged with assault
The Fairfax County Police Department’s Child Abuse Squad has charged an instructional assistant at Annandale High School with Simple Assault. Following an investigation, detectives learned Jamie Gerardo Gallo Pacheco, 33, of Annandale, physically assaulted a student on Dec. 19. A school resource officer heard about the incident earlier that day and called the police. On … Continued
A police search turns up 20 ATM skimmers
A Fairfax County Police operation to search ATMs across the county discovered 20 skimming devices used to steal personal credit card and bank information. Three skimmers were found at these locations in the Annandale/Mason District area: Detectives from the FCPD Financial Crimes Unit, with the assistance of the U.S. Secret Service, searched 287 point-of-sale terminals, … Continued
Annandale man gets 10 years for drug crimes
A federal court sentenced an Annandale man to 10 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the FBI reported Dec. 11. According to court documents, David Monroy, 28, was convicted in 2017 on three counts of possession with intent to … Continued
Annandale man gets 15 years on drug charges
An Annandale man was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Nov. 20 for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the Department of Justice reports. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, police observed … Continued
Woman fatally stabbed in Annandale
A woman was fatally stabbed in Annandale on Friday, Nov. 7, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. The suspect is in custody. Shortly before 10 p.m., officers responded to a report of an unconscious person with trauma to the upper body in the 3900 block of Terrace Drive in the Columbia Pines neighborhood. Upon arrival, … Continued
Traffic stop in Annandale leads to arrests for guns and drugs
Fairfax County police arrested two men for drug and gun violations after a traffic stop in Annandale. On Sept. 10, shortly before 2 a.m., officers from the Franconia Police District on patrol in the area of Backlick Road and Braddock Road observed a driver committing a moving violation. They stopped the vehicle, and through their … Continued