FROM POLICE REPORTS:

Rape / Aggravated Sexual Battery – On July 10th at 1:26PM, detectives from the Special Victims Bureau began an investigation into a sexual assault which was reported to have occurred at two addresses in Woodbridge (22192) – one on Rainbow Ct and the other on Bancroft Ln. The investigation revealed that the victim, a now 34 year old woman of Gainesville, was sexually assaulted by the accused, a known acquaintance, in the 1990’s when she was between 5 & 19 years of age. Following an investigation, the accused was subsequently arrested on July 25th.

Arrested:

Michael Karl JEFFERSON, currently 50, of 13500 Kingsman Rd in

Woodbridge

Charged with 5 counts of rape, 5 counts of aggravated sexual battery, 5 counts of

forcible sodomy and 5 counts of taking indecent liberties with a child

Court date unavailable, held WITHOUT bond

Malicious Wounding – On July 24th at 8:39PM, police responded to the 8000 block of Ashland Ave in Manassas (20109) for a stabbing. The victim, a 69 year old man of Manassas, reported to police that he and the accused, a known acquaintance, were inside a residence in the above area when a verbal altercation escalated. During the encounter, the accused allegedly stabbed the victim in the torso. The accused was also injured in the altercation. The victim and the accused were treated at an area hospital for minor injuries.

Arrested: (No Photo Available)

Nathaniel Tyrone SMITH JR, 45, of 10151 Parkview Dr #6 in

Manassas

Charged with malicious wounding

Court date set for September 21, 2012, held WITHOUT bond

Residential Burglary – On July 25th at 8:50AM, police responded to the 3600 block of Wharf Ln in Triangle (22172) for a burglary. Homeowner reported to police that the burglary occurred between 3:00PM on July 24th and 8:30AM on July 25th. Entry appeared to have been made through a rear glass door which had been broken out. A moped, 2 TV’s, 2 laptops and other electronics, valued around $2,400, were reported missing.

 

MANASSAS, Va. — Don’t pay any attention to that text message claiming to be from the courthouse: police say it’s a fake.

Prince William police this morning said text messages had apparently gone out to some residents in the area warning them they had missed jury duty and that are in trouble.

Police posted to a notice and said the Clerk’s Office at the Prince William County Courthouse in Manassas doesn’t send out text messages.

The alert from police:

*ALERT: The Prince William County Courthouse has received numerous phone calls this morning from concern citizens regarding a text message they received stating that they had missed jury duty at the “Manassas county courthouse” and are in violation.

**THIS MESSAGE IS NOT AN OFFICIAL MESSAGE AND WAS NOT SENT BY COURTHOUSE STAFF**

The Clerk’s Office of the Courthouse does not send any text messages. If you receive a text message about jury duty, please ignore the message and contact the courthouse at [email protected]

 

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — The Prince William County Fire and Rescue Department on Thursday night will recognize 23 uniform members recently promoted to the ranks of Technician II, Lieutenant, Captain and Battalion Chief. Telecommunicators from the Office of Public Safety Communications will also be acknowledged for recent promotion.

A public ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. at Forest Park High School near Dumfries. Retired Battalion Chief Hadden Culp will lead the ceremony and a reception will follow.

Department of Fire and Rescue Technician II

Yasmin Ahmady

Gregory Briney

Jay Byler

Bobby Cook

Terry Fuller

Daniel Gough

Kyle Kosinski

Matthew Livingston

Brendon Malone

Andrew Marsh

Timothy Moore

Robert Moreau

Joshua Owens

Helton Pereira

Brian Reader

Matthew Stewart

Jessica Weatherly

David Wesley

Lieutenant

Andrew Jeremiah

Regina Miller

Captain

Gene Luckinbill

Chip Morrison

Battalion Chief

Curtis Brodie

Office of Public Safety Communications

Zachary Fuhrman, Telecommunicator II

Philip Hunnicuttt, Telecommunicator II

Karen Lackey, Telecommunicator II

Hesuk Kim, Telecommunicator III

 

WOODBRIDGE, Va. -- A series of grants was awarded this month by the Potomac Health Foundation, based out of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, to local non-profit agencies in the Potomac Communities. More from the foundation’s press release:

The all-volunteer Board of Directors of Potomac Health Foundation approved grants to 17 not-for-profit agencies. This is only the second set of grants the foundation has awarded since its founding in December 2009. The total dollars awarded was $3,720,427 to support 21 health related projects.

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Welcome to Northern Virginia. Expect delays. Residents here know there is no shortage of cars and that congestion on local roads and highways can be a way of life.

That’s why thousands of people each day rely on the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission to help ease their ride, whether it be to work, school, or play.

OmniRide

One of the most popular commuter bus services in the region, PRTC OmniRide allows commuters a one-seat ride from areas in Prince William County and the independent cities of Manassas and Manassas Park to their jobs in Washington, D.C., Arlington, and other stops in the close-in suburbs of Northern Virginia.

See OmniRide bus routes and schedules.  See OmniRide fares.

Whether riders catch the bus from a park-and-ride commuter lot or they walk to an OmniRide bus stop in their neighborhood, commuters have come to rely on this safe, quiet, and reliable ride. OmniRide buses use High Occupancy Vehicle lanes on Interstates 95, 395, and 66 to get where they’re going, breezing by other cars that often slow down or get stuck in traffic in regular travel lanes.

“Northern Virginia has infamous traffic congestion, and by offering commuter bus services, we hope to take people out of their cars and allow them a quicker and stress-free ride in the High Occupancy Vehicle lanes,” said PRTC spokeswoman Christine Rodrigo.

Tysons Express

OmniRide buses also take passengers to Tysons Corner, a job center full of financial, contracting, and technology firms as well as world-class shopping. Tysons Corner has become an overall economic juggernaut in the region, and it’s also where new highway construction as part of the I-495 Express Lanes Project and construction of the new Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project collide.

Tysons Express riders don’t need to worry about lane closures or finding parking.

See Tysons Express AM bus and PM bus schedules and fares.

Each weekday, Tysons Express buses pick up passengers at two commuter lots in Woodbridge, travel on the HOV express lanes on I-95, and then use a portion of the Capital Beltway to access Tysons Corner, all while passengers relax and enjoy amenities like free wireless internet access.

“Instead of just sitting behind the wheel stuck in traffic, listening to the radio, you can be online, be on your smart phone, be paying bills, you can be reading, you can nap.It’s time that gets put back into your schedule to do things that you need to get done every day,” said Rodrigo.

Metro Direct

PRTC offers three options for those who need to travel to and from the nearby Metro stations. Those who live in eastern Prince William County have weekday connections with the Franconia-Springfield Metro, while those in the Manassas area have weekday connections with the West Falls Church Metro. And Gainesville area residents have rush-hour connections with the West Falls Church Metro.

See Metro Direct bus routes, schedules, and fares:

Linton Hall Metro Direct AM

Linton Hall Metro Direct PM

Manassas Metro Direct AM

Manassas Metro Direct PM 

Prince William Metro Direct AM

Prince William Metro Direct PM 

“The Metro station parking lots fill up early in the morning, but those who ride a Metro Direct bus don’t have to worry about parking because the bus drops passengers off near the Metro entrance,” said Rodrigo.

OmniLink local bus service

Now we know how to get to and from Prince William, but what if you want to get around locally? From sun up to sun down OmniLink is your link around town.

From humble beginnings in 1995, OmniLink has grown to serve major transportation corridors in our area, including U.S. 1 in Woodbridge, Dale Boulevard in Dale City and Sudley Road in Manassas, taking passengers to popular destinations like Potomac Mills mall, government buildings, employment centers, schools, and colleges.

See OmniLink local bus routes and schedules. See OmniLink local bus service fares.

“We recognize that people are in one-car households but have two people working, or there’s a teenager who has a driver’s license but the family, for whatever reason, doesn’t want to have another vehicle…and then you have people just out of economic necessity or medical reasons who cannot have a driver’s license or a vehicle. Local bus service helps all of these people get around and do all of the things we do every day,” said Rodrigo.

Cross County Connector

Those who need to travel between eastern Prince William and the Manassas area can rely on the Cross County Connector. The bus operates weekdays and connects Potomac Mills Mall and Manassas Mall with stops along Prince William County Parkway and Old Town Manassas.

See Cross County Connector bus routes, schedules, and fares:

Eastbound (Manassas to Woodbridge)

Westbound (Woodbridge to Manassas)

OmniMatch

Sometimes the bus doesn’t suit a person’s work schedule or destination. That’s why PRTC created the OmniMatch ridesharing service. Simply answer a few questions about your work hours, origination point and destination, and you’ll be entered into a regional database of commuters who are looking for carpools and vanpools. The service is fast, free and couldn’t be easier!

OmniSmartCommute

Employers looking for a recruiting and retention tool are turning to this free program! The OmniSmartCommute staff helps employers to create, implement and expand commuter strategies to save their staff members money and hassles. Some popular options are providing preferential parking for carpoolers, installing bike racks and showers for bicyclists, and offering flextime, compressed work weeks and telework.

On-The-Go Travel Training

Some people want to use public transportation but don’t ride because they are not familiar with the services and how they operate. PRTC’s new grant-funded travel training program is designed to help potential riders get over the hurdle of the unfamiliar and become confident users of public transportation. This free program provides one-on-one or group training sessions.

Easy to ride and pay with SmarTrip

No matter where you’re going, and no matter if you take a PRTC bus or Metro train, bring your SmarTrip card for an easy way to pay for your ride. SmarTrip is a rechargeable fare card used on multiple transportation systems in the Washington, D.C. region. One card makes it easy to connect with other services and makes travel outside our local community easier.

It also takes away the need to have exact change or proper fare, and riders can easily add more fare to their cards.

With so many options to choose from, PRTC has the Ride that’s Right for You!

 

FROM POLICE REPORTS 

Rape / Indecent Liberties – On July 19, detectives from the Special Victims Unit concluded an investigation into a sexual assault which was reported to have occurred in the 1300 block of Oregon Ave in Woodbridge (22191). The investigation revealed that victim, currently a 14 year old female, was raped by the accused, a known acquaintance, in March of 2010. Recently, in June of 2012, the accused sent the victim sexually explicit text messages. Following an investigation, the accused was subsequently arrested.

Arrested: (No Photo Available)

Gilberto ARANA MEJIA, 26, of the 1300 block of Oregon Ave in Woodbridge. charged with rape (for the March 2010 incident) and taking indecent liberties with a child (for the June 2012 incident). Court date unavailable, held without bond.

Residential Burglary – On July 18at 1:46AM, police responded to the 1300 block of East Longview Dr in Woodbridge (22191) for a burglary. Homeowner reported to police that the burglary occurred between 9 p.m. on July 16 and 1a.m. on July 17. There were no signs of forced entry into the residence. Entry is believed to have been made through an unlocked rear sliding glass door. A firearm, valued around $600, was reported missing.

Residential Burglary – On July 17 at 5:01 p.m., police responded to the 4700 block of Kirkdale Dr in Woodbridge (22191) for a burglary. Homeowner reported to police that the burglary occurred between 9:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. There were no signs of forced entry into the residence. Entry is believed to have been made through an unsecured door. Miscellaneous items, valued around $200, were reported missing.

Residential Burglary – On July 16 at 2:45 p.m., police responded to the 13600 block of Garfield Pl in Woodbridge (22191) for a burglary. Homeowner reported to police that the burglary occurred between 8:40AM and 2:40PM. Entry appeared to have been made through a sliding glass door which had been pried open. A laptop, jewelry and 2 cameras, valued around $1,400, were reported missing.

Attempted Residential Burglary – On July 18 at 12:46PM, police responded to the 15600 block of John Diskin Cl in Woodbridge (22191) for an attempted burglary. Homeowner reported to police that between 6:30AM and 9:00AM, an unknown person(s) attempted entry into the residence through the front door. Homeowner observed the door handle hanging from the door. No entry was made due to a secondary lock being in place. No items were reported missing.

Attempted Residential Burglary – On July 17 at 3:05PM, police responded to the 5100 block of Race Pointe Pl in Woodbridge (22193) for an attempted burglary. Homeowner reported to police that between 7:00AM on July 10 and 3:00PM on July 17, an unknown person(s) attempted entry into the residence through the front door. Homeowner observed drill holes in the deadbolt. No entry was gained into the residence and no items were reported missing.

 

Another round of violent storms swept through the region late Thursday into early Friday morning causing more power outages.

At 5 a.m. Friday, 66 Dominion Virginia Power customers who live near Leesylsvania State Park in Woodbridge and four who live in the Brooke section of Stafford County, were without power. Eight Northern Virginia Electric Power customers in Prince William County were also without power.

Today, a flash flood watch is posted from noon today through this evening as more storms could bring heavy downpours and localized flooding, according to the National Weather Service. The showers and thunderstorms are expected between 1 and 11 p.m.

Tomorrow, they’ll be a break in the recent heat wave as temperatures should reach 79 degrees, with showers and thunderstorms still in the forecast.

 

By URIAH KISER

OCCOQUAN, Va. — A retired educator and administrator with 35 years experience at Prince William County Public Schools will make a run for the School Board.

Lillie Jessie, of Lake Ridge, will run as a Democrat to represent the School Board’s Occoquan District — one of eight seats on the countywide Board. She will face Michael E. Wooten, who was appointed to the Board this spring following the sudden resignation of Grant Lattin in May.

Working now as an educational consultant and small business owner, Jessie retired from Prince William schools as Principal of Elizabeth Vaughn Elementary School in Woodbridge. During her tenure with the school system, she focused her work on the U.S. Department of Education’s Title I program that works to ensure fair access to higher education.

“Middle-class kids, my kids, I know are going to go to college. But some children don’t have that chance,” said Jessie.

Candidate Jessie appeared publicly for the first time Sunday night at Occoquan Town Hall. There she noted Prince William’s public schools as some as the best in the nation.

If elected in November, she said she’d do more to educate parents on the inner workings of schools, show them what educational options are available to their children.

She also said students need fewer multiple choice test and more exams that require critical thinking.

“I’m sticking with Prince William County School’s ‘World Class’ motto, and if our schools are world class you’ve got to make them teach students to be competitive in a world market,” said Jessie.

A product of a segregated school system in Newberry, S.C., Jessie was the first in her family, and was one of only a handful in her graduating class to go to college, she said. She credits the encouragement of a teacher, and his help filling out college applications, as the reason she continued her education beyond high school.

Jessie also has ties to Virginia Tech, and she developed a program called “Kindergarten to College” where fifth grade students at Vaughn Elementary School traveled to the Blacksburg school annually.

Wooten, her opponent, served as Marine Corps officer, holds a Doctorate of Higher Education Management, and serves as Vice Chairman of the Board at Northern Virginia Community College.

Jessie said her experience will make all the difference in this race.

“[Wooten] has a degree in education. I have a background in education, and my experience is documented,” she said.

 

FROM POLICE REPORTS: 

Armed Robbery / Malicious Wounding – On July 11th at 11:30PM, police responded to the 18500 block of Old Triangle Rd in Triangle (22172) for a robbery. The victim, a 17 year old male juvenile of Triangle, reported to police that he encountered the accused, a known acquaintance, in the above area. The accused allegedly approached the victim from behind, punched him in the face, threatened him with a knife and kicked him numerous times in the head prior to fleeing the area on foot with the victim’s cell phone and wallet. Following an investigation, and utilizing a police K-9, officers were able to locate the accused in a wooded area nearby. The accused was subsequently arrested without incident. The victim was treated at an area hospital for minor injuries. The wallet and cell phone were recovered and returned to the victim.

Arrested: (Juvenile)

A 14 year old male juvenile of Woodbridge

Charged with armed robbery, malicious wounding and a probation violation

Court date unavailable, held at a Juvenile Detention Facility

Indecent Exposure – On July 10th at 2:23PM, police responded to the area of Forrest Hill Rd and Fox Ridge Ct in Woodbridge (22192) for an indecent exposure. The victim, 42 year old woman of Woodbridge, reported to police that she and three other female juvenile victims, between 8 & 10 years of age, were in the above area when they encountered an unknown man, later identified as the accused. During the encounter, the accused allegedly exposed himself to the victims before fleeing the area. Police were able to locate the accused who was subsequently arrested without incident.

Arrested:

Brion Louis BOYLES, 51, of 13209 Delaney Rd in Woodbridge

Charged with three counts of indecent exposure

Court date unavailable, released on personal recognizance

Narcotics Investigation – On July 11th, detectives from the Street Crimes Unit concluded a narcotics investigation into the selling of marijuana with the execution of a search warrant at 15918 Donald Curtis Dr in Woodbridge (22191). As a result of the search and investigation, marijuana, firearms and an undisclosed amount of U.S. Currency were seized. The following arrest was also made without incident.

Arrested:

Tom Neil WEIR JR, 28, of 15918 Donald Curtis Dr in Woodbridge

Charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and a firearm with narcotics

Court date August 17, 2012, held on an $8,000 secured bond

 

FROM POLICE REPORTS:

Malicious Wounding ARREST – On July 6, detectives from the Violent Crimes Bureau were able to identify and arrest a suspect in regard to the shooting which was reported to have occurred in the 15700 block of Tassleford Ln in Woodbridge from July 5. Following the investigation, warrants were obtained against the accused who was later located at his residence on Keating Dr and was arrested without incident.

Arrested:

Stephen Hyrum WEAVER, 22, of 13423 Keating Dr in Woodbridge, charged with aggravated malicious wounding and the use of a firearm in commission of a felony. Court date unavailable, held WITHOUT bond

Malicious Wounding (Previously Released) – On July 5 at 8:56PM, police responded to the 15700 block of Tassleford Ln in Woodbridge (22191) for a shooting. The victim, a 17 year old male of Woodbridge, reported to police that he and other known acquaintances were involved in a verbal altercation with a group of unknown suspects which escalated. During the encounter, one of the suspects in the other group displayed a handgun. The victim and the group of known acquaintances ran from the suspects when the handgun was displayed. The suspect fired several shots towards the group and subsequently struck the victim in the lower body. All suspects fled the scene in a vehicle prior to police arrival. The victim was transported to an area hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported. The incident does not appear to be random. Investigation continues.

Malicious Wounding / Hit & Run – On July 7 at 2:54AM, police responded to the area of Spriggs Rd and Hoadly Rd in Manassas (20112) for a hit and run. The investigation revealed that the victim, a 19 year old man of Manassas, and another known acquaintance were involved in a physical altercation with an unknown suspect in the above area. During the encounter, the suspect returned to his vehicle while the victim and his acquaintance attempted to run from the suspect. The suspect allegedly drove his vehicle toward the victim and his acquaintance and subsequently struck the victim with his vehicle. The suspect fled the area in the vehicle prior to police arrival. The victim was transported to an area hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported. The incident does not appear to be random.

Investigation continues.

Lookout:

White male, between 18 & 25 years of age, 5’5” / 150 lbs, thin build with short black hair. Last seen wearing a white shirt and black pants

Vehicle Lookout: Newer model, silver, 4-door

Malicious Wounding – On July 8that 4:54AM police responded to the 13900 block of Jefferson Davis Hwy in Woodbridge (22191) for an assault. The victim, a 27 year old man of Woodbridge, was found, in the area above, unconscious with injuries to head. An investigation revealed the victim was involved in a physical altercation with a known acquaintance(s). The victim was transported to an area hospital with severe injuries. This incident does not appear to be random. Investigation continues.

Armed Robbery – On July 7 at 1:00AM, police responded to the area of Bel Air Rd and Jeffries Rd in Woodbridge (22191) for a robbery. The victim, a 19 year old man of Woodbridge, reported to police that he was walking in the above area when he was approached by two unknown men. One of the men displayed a handgun, pointed it at the victim and demanded he empty his pockets. The men took the victim’s iPod touch and a cell phone before fleeing on foot. No injuries were reported.

Lookout: two  males, unknown race, between 20 & 25 years of age, 5’7”/160lbs, medium build. Both were last seen wearing a long sleeve shirt, jeans and a mask. Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling – On July 8 at 12:39AM, police responded to the Shell Gas Station located at 13313 Occoquan Rd in Woodbridge (22191) for a shooting. Witnesses reported to police that a group of unknown suspects were driving in a white sedan in the above area and fired several shots from their vehicle in the direction of the Shell Gas Station. The suspects fled the area prior to police arrival. No injuries or property damage were reported.

No descriptions could be provided of the suspects. Investigation continues.

Residential Burglary – On July 6 at 8:41PM, police responded to the 13000 block of Lashmere Ct in Woodbridge (22192) for a burglary. A neighbor reported to police that the burglary occurred between 8:00PM on July 5 and 8:00AM on July 6. Entry appeared to have been made through rear basement window which had been broken out. No items were reported missing.

Residential Burglary – On July 6 at 4:27PM, police responded to the 15400 block of Wheatfield Rd in Woodbridge (22193) for a burglary. The homeowner reported to police that the burglary occurred between 5:00AM on June 26 and 3:00PM on July 6. Entry appeared to have been made through a basement window which had been broken out. Jewelry and other items, valued around $8,900, were reported missing.

Residential Burglary – On July 5 at 3:33PM, police responded to the 1600 block of Horner Rd in Woodbridge (22191) for a burglary. The homeowner reported to police that the burglary occurred between 2:45PM and 3:33PM. Entry appeared to have been made through the front door which had been forced open. Two televisions, valued around $1200, were reported missing.

Commercial Burglary – On July 5 at 7:44AM, police responded to the CITGO Gas Station located at 14101 Jefferson Davis Hwy in Woodbridge (22191) for a burglary. An employee reported to police that the burglary occurred between 10:00PM and 10:30PM on July 4. Entry appeared to have been made through a door which had been forced open. Cigarettes, valued around $13, were reported missing.