<sh>Bank Robbery
<bt>Fairfax County police are looking for a man who robbed a bank in Centreville, Tuesday morning, and tried unsuccessfully to do the same in Reston. Police believe the suspect may have also robbed other banks in the Washington Metropolitan area.
The attempted robbery was at the Bank of America on Sunset Hills Road in Reston. Police say a man approached a teller there, Tuesday, around 9:45 a.m., and demanded money, but she didn't give him any and he left. But he was successful, around 10:15 a.m., at the Wachovia Bank at 5736 Pickwick Road in Centreville.
Police say the man approached a 28-year-old Manassas woman employed there as a teller and again demanded money. She relinquished an undisclosed amount of cash and the robber fled. The teller was not injured.
In both cases, the suspect is described as white, 25-30, 6 feet, with a thin build and brown hair. He wore a red baseball cap and a long black trenchcoat. Police are continuing to investigate, and anyone with information about these incidents or the suspect involved is asked to call police at 703-691-2131.
<sh>Paintball Gun at School
<bt>Fairfax County Police went to Langston Hughes Middle School after a 13-year-old student was found with a paintball gun in his locker about 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1. The gun did not appear to have been discharged at the school. The male teen was released to his parent. Police charges are pending.
<sh>Fine Arts Festival
<bt>The 11th Annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival will be held May 18 and 19 at the Reston Town Center. Anticipated attendance is 60,000. Artwork by more than 170 painters, sculptors, fine-crafters and jewelers will be available for purchase. In addition to art, the two-day festival features entertainment, food, and children's activities from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day.
<sh>Crow Found with West Nile Virus
<bt>A dead crow found in the Herndon area has been confirmed to have the West Nile Virus, according to Dr. Carol Sharrett, director of the Fairfax County Health Department. This is the first positive bird to be found in Fairfax this year. Last year 53 positive crows were found in Fairfax County. The West Nile Virus positive crow was picked up in the Herndon area on Friday, April 19. The state's Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services in Richmond confirmed the bird tested positive for West Nile Virus on April 25.
West Nile Virus is spread to birds, humans, horses and other mammals through the bite of an infected mosquito. The majority of people bitten by an infected mosquito do not get sick. People who do get sick usually suffer a mild flu-like illness. People over age 50 are at greatest risk of serious illness, such as encephalitis — inflammation of the brain, or meningitis — inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.
As a response, treatment of the storm sewer catch basins within a half-mile radius of the positive crow location will take place. The treatment will not eliminate all the mosquitoes but will help reduce the mosquito population in the area. The product used to treat the catch basins is a naturally occurring bacteria, which is harmless to other insects and the environment.
Citizens can prevent mosquitoes from breeding by tipping and tossing containers of standing water or removing containers around the home where water collects, such as old tires, potted plant trays, buckets and toys. People should also clean birdbaths and wading pools once a week and clean out clogged roof gutters and down spouts regularly. For more information, log on to the county web page at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/hd/, then click on "mosquitoes" at the bottom of the page.