Arrest Made In Home Improvement ScamMatthew W. Fincham, 22, has been arrested and charged with no solicitor's license and larceny by false pretense for allegedly operating a home improvement scam. He is currently being held at Fauquier County Jail on unrelated charges, according to Fairfax County Police.
On Monday, March 10, at 1:30 p.m., Fairfax County Police officers responded to a call in the 5300 block of William and Mary Drive in Mount Vernon District. They learned that several laborers had entered into a contract with a 74-year-old man to perform work on the house.
The employees were allegedly soliciting without a license and never completed the work, according to police. The investigation is continuing with additional charges expected, police reported.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), text "TIP187" plus your message to CRIMES (274637) or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
Dollar Plus Store RobbedThe clerk at Dollar Plus, a 49-year-old Fairfax woman, was robbed at gun point Saturday, March 15, according to Fairfax County Police. The suspect entered the store at 8646 Richmond Highway at 12:30 p.m. and demanded money. He left with an undisclosed amount of cash, police reported. There were no reported injuries.
The suspect is described as black, in his 20's, approximately six feet two inches tall, weighing an estimated 150 to 170 pounds. He was wearing dark clothing, a ball cap, and had a cloth covering his face.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), text "TOP187" plus your message to CRIMES (274637) or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
Police Initiate Pedestrian Enforcement CampaignIn an effort to curb pedestrian injuries and fatalities along the Route 1 corridor from the Beltway to Fort Belvoir, Fairfax County Police from the Mount Vernon District Station initiated a pedestrian enforcement campaign March 17 that will run through March 22. There have been 18 fatal crashes involving pedestrians in Fairfax County since 2007.
Patrol officers, auxiliary officers, neighborhood patrol units and motorcycle officers have distributed over 2,000 pamphlets on pedestrian safety over the past several weeks in addition to the highway enforcement efforts.
Pedestrian safety tips include:
* Use marked crosswalks at intersections when crossing the highway
* Look left, right, then left again before crossing
* Use pedestrian pushbuttons to control traffic signals
* Begin crossing the street only on the "Walk" signal
* Stay visible after dark and in bad weather
* Be aware of large vehicles, such as truck and buses, backing out of parking areas and driveways
For information about the Fairfax County Pedestrian Task Force go to
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fedot/pedestrian.htm. For additional information about the pedestrian enforcement campaign, contact Lt. Daniel Gohn or Officer Steve Cicinato at Mount Vernon District Station at 703-360-8400.
Chamber Scholarship Applications AvailableApplications are now available for the 2008 Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce Education Partnership Scholarships. These $2,000 scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors who are pursuing further education in a business related field, according to the Chamber.
During the past decade the Chamber has given more than $50,000 in scholarships to local high school graduates. The money is raised through contributions from Chamber members, the Annual Golf Tournament, and other fund raising events conducted by the Chamber.
Scholarship applications are available in the Chamber's office, 8804-D Pear Tree Village Court, and in the various high school Career Centers in both Mount Vernon and Lee districts. Completed application must be received in the Chamber office no later than Friday, April 18.
For further information contact Holly Dougherty, executive director, Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce, at 703-360-6925.
