Week in Loudoun
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Week in Loudoun

Re-enforcements Called In

Area law-enforcement agencies were called to assist the Sheriff's Office with dispersing a crowd Saturday, Sept. 4 at a Sterling restaurant that was filled to twice its capacity.

Pepe's Mexican Restaurant in the Sterling Park Plaza had oversold tickets for an event featuring a soccer game, which could only be viewed at the establishment. Sheriff's deputies on routine patrol observed a large line outside the restaurant just before 9 p.m. and when they attempted to enter they found the doors were locked.

The Fire Marshal was called to the scene and estimated that the more than 300 people were inside the restaurant, twice its permitted capacity.

The establishment was cleared and due to the infractions the Fire Marshal's Office closed the restaurant.

Due to the large number of patrons, who had paid $30 a ticket to be in the bar extra units from the Fairfax County Police Department, Herndon Police and the Virginia State Police were called in to assist the Sheriff's Office with dispersing the crowd. A majority of the crowd left the restaurant without incident.

Three individuals who had been inside the bar were arrested for disorderly conduct when they refused to leave the scene.

DUI Patrol Nets Five

A scheduled DUI checkpoint turned to saturation patrols Saturday, Sept. 4, after deputies were reassigned to assist with dispersing an overcrowded restaurant in Sterling.

Once the scene was cleared at the eatery, deputies began conducting saturation patrols in the eastern end of the county. In all five arrests were made between 11:30 p.m. and 3 a.m. Sunday morning for driving under the influence. They included two arrests along Route 28, one on Sterling Boulevard, one on Algonkian Parkway and one on Gloucester Parkway near Tavern Drive.

The checkpoint was initially planned to take place on Ashburn Village Boulevard near Bruceton Mills Circle and is part of the "You Drink & Drive, You Lose" campaign, which is part of the nationwide crackdown on drinking and driving that runs through Sept. 12.

Former Teacher Accused of Assault

A former second-grade Loudoun elementary-school teacher turned herself over to authorities Friday, Sept. 3, on charges that she allegedly assaulted two of her students last school year.

In April members of Child Protective Services alerted Sheriff's

Investigators that they had received a complaint against a teacher regarding a child who attends Aldie Elementary School.

According to the allegations the teacher Lynne Wine, 55, of Middleburg, had assaulted an 8-year-old student at the school. During the course of the investigation the Sheriff's Office learned of an earlier assault of a second 8-year-old student that was said to have occurred in September 2003. According to the students both incidents occurred in

the classroom.

Wine, who has since retired from the school system, was charged Friday with two counts of misdemeanor simple assault and was released on a $5,000 unsecured bond.

Allen's Staff Comes to Loudoun

The regional representative for U.S. Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), John Putney, will hold office hours Sept. 9, from 1-2:30 p.m., at the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison St., Leesburg, to discuss issues facing the area and to help any constituents having a problem with a federal agency. For more information, call Putney at 703-966-6036.

Two-Car Accident

A two-vehicle accident during rush hour Thursday, Sept. 2, on Route 7 outside of Leesburg sent two people to an area hospital.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Fredy Arturo, 25, of Manassas, was attempting to make a left-hand turn

onto White Gate Place in his 1999 Ford Van when he pulled out in front of a 2003 Hyundai that was traveling eastbound on Route 7.

A front-seat passenger in the van, Jose Aguillar Louis, was partially ejected from the vehicle during the accident and was airlifted to INOVA Fairfax Hospital.

The driver of the Hyundai, Rachael Smith, 39, of Winchester, whose airbag deployed in the accident, was also airlifted to INOVA Fairfax Hospital.

Both patients are said to be recovering from non-life threatening injuries.

Arturo, who received minor injuries in the accident, was treated at the scene. There were two other passengers in the van who were not inured. Arturo has been charged with reckless driving and driving without a license.

Watch for Students

During the first few weeks of September the Sheriff's Office will be conducting a Back-to-School campaign strictly enforcing speed and other traffic violations in the area of elementary and middle schools around the county. The campaign is to ensure the safety and welfare for the children returning to school.

Sheriff's deputies will be utilizing Radar, Lidar and "Smart Trailers", marked and unmarked cruisers as well as the motorcycle unit.

The Sheriff's Office would also like to send a friendly reminder to all drivers to obey signals by law-enforcement officers and crossing guards.

Sheriff's Office Seek Explorers

The Sheriff's Office in an effort to expose youths to positive values and role models is initiating an Explorer

Program in Loudoun County. The Explorer Program is a work site-based program of how adult intervention can instill responsibility, leadership, teamwork and self-reliance.

Law Enforcement Explorer posts help youth to gain insight into a variety of programs that offer hands-on career activities. For young men and women who are interested in careers in the field of law enforcement, Exploring offers hands-on learning.

To qualify for membership, candidates must be between the ages 14-21, must achieve and maintain satisfactory school grades. Candidates under 18 years of age must have the approval and cooperation of a parent or guardian.

If interested in becoming a part of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Explorer Program of or would like more information, call Capt. Thom Shaw 703-771-5303.