MAN CHARGED WITH PLAN TO MURDER POLICE OFFICER
After a yearlong investigation, Arlington police last Wednesday arrested 24-year-old Freddy Alberto Juarez, charging him with threatening and conspiring to kill and Arlington police officer.
Detectives from Arlington’s Gang and Homicide/Robbery units arrested Juarez, a resident of the 5500 block of Columbia Pike, on Sept. 3 and charged him with conspiracy to commit murder and participation in a criminal street gang. Another individual, whose identity is not being released, was also taken into custody. Juarez is currently being held in the Arlington County Detention Facility without bond. If convicted, Juarez faces up to 30 years in prison.
Police said Juarez's arrest is the result of a multi-jurisdiction investigation that began last year, after detectives received intelligence about gang members threatening to kill Northern Virginia police officers. Assisting in the arrest were the Emergency Response Team and Tactical and Vice units from Arlington, as well as the recently formed 10th Congressional District Gang Task Force.
In a released statement, Police Chief Doug Scott said the arrest shows that Arlington, and other local police departments, take threats against any officers seriously. The investigation is ongoing, and additional arrests and charges may be forthcoming.
POLICE INVESTIGATE FATAL FALL
On Sunday, Sept. 7, Arlington police officers responded to a call of a woman lying on the ground. On their arrival in the 1200 block of North Veitch Street, the found a 20-year-old woman on the street, dead after an apparent fall from a balcony.
Police have withheld the woman’s identity, and other details of the incident, at the request of her family. The investigation is ongoing.
NEW BUS SERVICE ON PIKE
Buses will travel more frequently down Columbia Pike this week, after Arlington kicked off the Pike Ride bus service.
Last week, county work crews installed 53 new Pike Ride Bus Stop Information kiosks at each bus stop along Columbia Pike within Arlington County. These new information kiosks will be in addition to the WMATA Bus Stop flag pole and Ride Guide. Each kiosks will feature a destination sign, so riders can figure out which bus to take.
Gov. Mark Warner (D) and County Board members will be onhand today, Sept. 10, for the official kickoff of the service, along with Richard White, general manager of the Metro authority.
The Pike Bus is the first congestion relief project to be implemented in Northern Virginia this year under the governor’s transportation initiative, and is also part of plans for Columbia Pike revitalization.
SEEKING TUCKAHOE ALUMNI
Planbs are underway for a 50th anniversary celebration at Tuckahoe Elementary School this fall. Members of the anniversary planning committee are seeking Tuckahoe alumni to join the event. Former students should contact Paula (Lowrey) Dierkes at mi5boyz@aol.com for further information.