[Updated 3/4] Police statements on recent carjackings in the area

[UPDATE: Captain Linder provided this update Feb 26 ]

I just wanted to provide a quick follow-up on some recent arrests related to our efforts in the Crystal City area.   All of these items can be found on the ACPD website under Daily Crime Reports.   Additionally, you may or may not have seen our sign boards in the area for the last couple of weeks, which reminded people to not leave their cars running and to take their keys with them.  They are being removed at this time due to school going back into session next week and the need to post school safety items in and around our schools. 

Although the signs boards are being removed, our presence and efforts in the area will continue.

WEAPONS VIOLATION, 2021-02240224, 800 block of Army Navy Drive. At approximately 5:15 p.m. on February 24, an officer investigating a license plate reader hit located the associated vehicle parked and unoccupied. The investigation determined that the vehicle was displaying a fraudulent temporary tag that did not match the VIN on the vehicle. The vehicle was subsequently determined to have been previously reported stolen out of Prince George’s County, Md. At approximately 6:08 p.m., police made contact with two suspects as they returned to the vehicle and detained them without incident. A search of the vehicle yielded marijuana and two firearms. Shawn Eubanks, 31, of Washington, D.C., was arrested and charged with Violent Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Felony Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, and held without bond. Deontay Curtis, 34, of District Heights, Md., was arrested and charged with Violent Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Felon Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, and held without bond.

WEAPONS VIOLATION, 2021-02250247, 1500 block of Richmond Highway. At approximately 9:07 p.m. on February 25, an officer on patrol observed an improperly registered vehicle exiting a garage in the area of Richmond Highway at 23^rd Street S. and effected a traffic stop. Upon making contact with the occupants of the vehicle, the driver was determined to be not licensed. During a search of the vehicle, marijuana and a firearm were located. James Hobbs, 32, of Washington, D.C., was charged with Carrying a Concealed Firearm, No Operators License, and Improper Registration, and released on summonses.

WEAPONS VIOLATION, 2021-02250269, 15^th Street S. at Richmond Highway. At approximately 10:50 p.m. on February 25, an officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle displaying improper registration. During the course of the investigation, it was determined the driver of the vehicle did not have a valid license. During an inventory of the vehicle prior to towing, officers recovered a firearm, which was determined to be stolen, and an extended magazine. Kelvin Hamlett, 28, of Washington D.C. was arrested and charged with Receiving a Stolen Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Violent Felon, Driving without a License and Operation a Motor Vehicle with Improper Registration. He was held on no bond.

Captain Linder, February 26 email

On the question of whether these types of weapons issues typical Arlington over the years or if it represents a change in behavior we should be concerned about, the response was:

That is a great question without an easy answer.  According to our Crime Analysis Section, we have seen an increase in recovered firearms over the last couple of years, which could be due to a myriad of reasons.  Additionally, ACPD has only recently (2020) started regularly including weapon and drug offenses on our Daily Crime Report, in an effort to be more transparent and to inform the public on our activities.  Many of these recoveries can be attributed to our proactive criminal efforts.   It would be difficult to know how these gun recoveries impact criminal activity within the county as many were recovered while not being actively utilized in a crime.  One thing is certain, once they are recovered there is no longer the possibility that they can be used during the commission of a crime within the county. 

Any uptick in criminal activity is concerning and we will continue to do our best to work with the citizens and business community to educate the public on safety measures that can be taken and to address these issues as they arise. 

Captain Linder, February 26 email

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Original article content from February 17:

The following was provided by Captain Linder of the Arlington County Police Department Community Resource Section:

I hope everyone is doing well.  The police department has received several inquiries recently about the carjackings and robberies in and around the Crystal City area.   Although we have had several conversations with individuals/groups about these incidents, I wanted to take a moment to provide some information to the civic association presidents, with the hope that you all will disseminate it to your members. 

Over the last week or so, you should have seen an increase in patrols in the area, some visible and some not visible. There are elements from our Special Operations Section, Community Resources Section (Outreach and SRO’s), Patrol and Investigations contributing to these efforts.  The visible patrols consist of both mobile and stationary units.

Additionally, we are conducting an education campaign with local businesses, delivery drivers and residents about not leaving vehicles running, unattended or with keys in them.  Our uniformed officers and parking aides are specifically looking for this activity and are either educating the individuals or issuing summonses.  You may also have seen signs boards in the area with similar messaging.  Hopefully, with this multi-pronged approach, it will help to eliminate or reduce potential opportunities for these incidents.

Our Public Information Office recently issued a press release to provide information related to our efforts (a copy is pasted below).  In the release, safety tips are provided as well as a link to additional crime prevention tips.  Also highlighted is an arrest from last weekend.  Basically, a suspicious vehicle was observed, police were notified, the vehicle was located, and it was determined to have been recently stolen in a carjacking from another state.  Surveillance was conducted and eventually several people were taken into custody. 

There have been questions about the publicized carjacking taskforce out of Washington D.C.  Although it was not specifically put together with Virginia jurisdictions, we are already members of the Northern Virginia FBI Violent Crimes Task Force.  These groups do work together in a collaborative effort to share information in an attempt to solve and reduce violent crimes.

Another service I wanted to highlight is our free residential/commercial security survey or CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design).  Upon request, our CPTED expert reviews your residence, business etc., and provides some suggestions on ways to better secure or enhance your safety.  The link for requesting a security survey is on our website and I have included in this response.  For those that are interested, they can fill out the request form and she will be in contact with you.

`https://police.arlingtonva.us/crime-prevention-unit-service-request/

Thank you for your time.  Below is the press release mentioned earlier. 

Captain Linder, February 17 email

Police Provide Overview of Carjacking Incidents; Share Safety Tips and Crime Prevention Methods

ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Capital Region, along with other major metropolitan areas across the country, is experiencing an increase in carjacking offenses. Since January 2020, the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit has investigated 18 reports of carjackings in the County. Eight of those cases have been solved with arrest or the identification of a suspect currently held in another jurisdiction. As part of our ongoing investigative efforts into these incidents, detectives are working collaboratively with regional law enforcement partners to identify trends and apprehend suspects.

The Department continues to deploy increased police resources, to include both visible and non-visible assets, in Crystal City and the surrounding neighborhoods to combat this crime trend. At approximately 4:40 p.m. on February 13, officers working in the area were dispatched to the 900 block of Army Navy Drive for the report of a suspicious unoccupied vehicle. The reporting party advised they had observed four subjects exit the vehicle, walk slowly through the parking lot, appearing to be casing vehicles. Using law enforcement resources, officers determined the vehicle had previously been reported stolen from a carjacking in Maryland. Officers established a perimeter and the occupants were taken into police custody as they returned to the vehicle. Jeremiah Diggs, 18, of Washington D.C. was found in possession of the vehicle’s key and was charged with Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. Two other occupants, an adult and juvenile, were charged with narcotics offenses.

Our efforts to prevent crime in Arlington County are enhanced by the active involvement of the community. If you observe suspicious behavior or are the victim of a crime, contact police immediately by calling the Emergency Communications Center at 703-558-2222 or 911 in an emergency.

Related: Factors to consider when reporting suspicious activity

Method of Operation

Carjacking suspects often approach victims as they are exiting or sitting in their parked vehicles, brandish a firearm and demand the victim’s keys or property. In some cases, the suspects approach the victim on foot while in others, the suspects approach in a vehicle later determined to be stolen. Reported incidents in Arlington County have involved between one and four suspects.

Public Education

The Department is engaging with community members and businesses in the area to share important crime and safety information. Additionally, the Department is deploying electronic signboards in various locations throughout the County as part of a high-visibility public awareness campaign.

Safety Tips and Crime Prevention Measures

Police are reminding the public to follow these safety tips:

• Exit your vehicle and continue to your destination promptly after parking
• Park in well-lit, high traffic areas.
• Be aware of your surroundings when entering and exiting your vehicle
• Limit your use of devices that may distract you, such as cell phones and headphones
• Don’t leave items unattended or visible in your vehicle

Read More: Additional Crime Prevention Tips

Media Contact

Ashley Savage, 703-228-4331

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