Correction
<bt>The article, "Political Season Puts herring in a Tough Place," Loudoun Connection, March 7-13, 2007, inadvertently left out quotes from Sen. Mark Herring (D-33). The complete story, including those quotes, is available on our Web site, www.connectionnewspapers.com. In addition, Herring has written a letter to the editor in response to the article, available in this week's Opinion section.
<sh>Shooting Investigated
<bt>The Loudoun Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding a teenager who was brought to a local hospital Thursday, March 8, suffering from a gunshot wound.
Authorities were called to Inova Loudoun Hospital at Lansdowne just after 12:20 p.m. when the victim, a 17-year-old Leesburg male, was brought into the emergency room. The victim was suffering from a gunshot wound. His injuries were not life-threatening and he was released from the hospital the same day.
The victim initially stated he had been assaulted by several individuals in the Sterling area. In later statements the victim told authorities he was not assaulted but it is unclear at this time the exact circumstances as to how the victim received the gunshot wound. Sheriff's investigators do not believe there is any danger to the community.
<sh>Guilty Pleas
<bt>Four men pleaded guilty in recent weeks to a series of larcenies from construction sites that plagued the county over the past year.
Marco Julio Ortiz-Argumendo, 22, of Maryland, Oscar Asencio, 20, of Woodbridge, Poreido Gayordo-Alvaranga, 23, and Jimmy Mendoza, 26, and a fifth suspect were tied to nearly 100 cases of larcenies of appliances from construction sites throughout Loudoun County and the Northern Virginia region. In Loudoun County the four men were charged with five counts of grand larceny and five counts of destruction of property. Items stolen from construction sites in the county included washers and dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators and ovens. The four men along with another suspect, who remains at large, are estimated to have stolen more than $500,000 worth of appliances in Loudoun County alone.
Investigators were able to identify a vehicle involved in one of the larcenies in the South Riding area last summer. The vehicle led investigators to the Route 1 area of Fairfax County where they discovered two vans full of appliances. The suspects were identified and were apprehended in July 2006. All four of the suspects were turned over to Loudoun authorities in January after they had been charged and prosecuted in other Northern Virginia jurisdictions for similar crimes.
<sh>Safety Checks Offered
<bt>The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is asking county residents to help fight crime by making homes or businesses as safe and secure as is possible.
As a community service the Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention Unit offers security checks to county residents and businesses. During the checks a deputy trained in crime prevention will come to your home or business and check the interior and exterior and make suggestions on ways to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of a burglary. The deputies often suggest inexpensive ways to improve security such as adding lighting or maintaining shrubbery.
To schedule a security check, contact Master Deputy Terry Davis at 703-771-5749 or Deputy Specialist Jason Leydig at 703-771-5747 or by e-mail at terry.davis@loudoun.gov or jason.leydig@loudoun.gov.
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<bt>The one-year anniversary of Loudoun CountyÕs Check Enforcement Program has recovered more than $36,700 in the form of restitution to victims of bad check writing. The program gives merchants and other victims an effective, no-cost way to recover funds lost to bad checks while also helping businesses avoid receiving bad checks in the first place. Finally, it helps to prevent bad check offenders from passing bad checks in the future.
Similar to other diversion programs, the check enforcement program offers Òbad checkÓ writers a final opportunity to avoid possible prosecution. Bad check writers must fulfill the conditions of the program, which include making full restitution to the victims and paying the fees required to administer the program.
Additionally, the police, the CommonwealthÕs AttorneyÕs Office and the courts are relieved of having to investigate, prosecute and try a large number of bad check cases through the formal court process.
The program deals with checks that were dishonored because of Insufficient Funds, Closed Account or No Account. Check forgeries or counterfeit checks should be referred to the police immediately.
The Loudoun County was the fifth jurisdiction in Virginia to initiate this type of program and the first in the Northern Virginia region. There are now nine jurisdictions that have instituted similar programs across the state.
For more information about the Check Enforcement Program or how your business can participate, contact Assistant CommonwealthÕs Attorney Ryan Perry at 703-777-0242.
<sh>New Buses
<bt>Virginia Regional Transit, the public transportation organization of Virginia that provides service to Loudoun County and more than 14 surrounding counties, announces the first five of 18 new buses have arrived. These buses feature Virginia Regional TransitÕs new color scheme and graphics. The new design for the buses was created by GAM printers in Sterling. All 18 buses were purchased through a state contract.
The new buses come to a total of $1 million dollars. The federal government contributed $800,000, the state government contributed $130,000 and $70,000 came from local moneys. The buses were built by Supreme Corporation out of Indiana and were purchased though the dealer Sony Merryman Inc. out of Lynchburg.
All buses will be distributed though out Virginia Regional Transits service areas to replace some of the existing fleet. All buses in use in Loudoun County are being equipped with Illuminator signs to make is easier for passengers to identify the routes. Each Illuminator signs added an additional $5,000 to the total cost of the vehicle.
Each bus is ADA accessible and carries the latest technology for wheelchair securement from SureLock. Virginia Regional Transit has wheelchair lifts installed in the front of the bus so passengers in wheelchairs ride between the wheels for a more comfortable, smooth ride. For additional information contact Kim Myers at 540-338-1610 or Kim@vatransit.org or visit www.vatransit.org.