Muggers on Custis

[dasgeh]

Wow. TwoWheels, I’m so glad you’re ok. I live near there (Quincy) and there were posts on the listserv about helicopters circling last night. How scary.

We definitely need more cops on bikes patrolling the Custis, and generally.

[Amalitza]

Oh, my. Also glad you’re ok.

[creadinger]

When I first saw your post I was hoping it was a really bad April Fool….

It’s awesome that you’re ok, and were able to not only avoid a beating and being shot, but also still in possession of your valuables. That was some seriously quick thinking! I have no idea what I would do in that situation…

When I’m riding to/from work in SE I feel like my senses are on high alert to keep an eye out for suspiciously acting people or cars that may want to do me harm, but wow. This happens in ritzy Arlington? I guess it’s true that the crime tends to go where the money is.

[jabberwocky]

@Terpfan 48193 wrote:

That’s quick, but very accurate thinking. Even for a professional, it’s very hard to hit a moving target that’s running at full speed, let alone biking.

Not if its coming straight at you though. Though handguns are much harder to shoot than people realize. The best argument for what he did is probably that it was totally unexpected.

Glad this came out ok. Hopefully they don’t shoot the next guy and the police catch them soon.

[bobco85]

@Two Wheels 48149 wrote:

Last night around 10 or so two men tried to mug me at gunpoint on the Custis just before Glebe Road/footbridge over the I-66 westbound offramp. As I topped the last of the two hills, I saw one walking slowly towards me on the far left side, then saw the other on the edge of the path on the right. The one on the left pulled a semiauto handgun. I accelerated as hard as I could, rammed them, stayed upright and fled. Called 911 ASAP. They also mugged another guy. He stopped, they put the gun in his mouth and beat him, broke his collarbone. The police took his report from the hospital.

Be careful out there.

I’m glad you made it out without getting injured, although I wish the same had happened for the other guy.

Come to think of it, that area seems like an easier place for a criminal to do something like that, given the following reasons:
– traffic on I-66 is loud and will drown out most noise (gunshot, scream, etc.)
– after 2 hills back-to-back, I know I’m usually a bit winded, so there’s an advantage for the attacker
– multiple exit routes

I like to bike at night, especially during the summer, so this definitely reminds me to be more cautious on the trails because I easily could have been in that situation.

[myoglobinologist]

Thank you for the warning. I bike this route every day.

Is there a better way getting on to custis, west bound, from Ballston, at night then? Two possibilities appear to be:

1. Go out on wilson and turn in at bonair park?
2. Continue west on surface streets on Fairfax drive west of the on-ramp to 66 and then connect on George Mason drive.

Are either of these preferable?

Thanks.

-k

[rcannon100]

First, I am very glad you are okay.

I have sent a note to Washington & Lee HS altho I am guessing they already know (I assume they work very closely with the police).

For what it is worth, N Arlington is experiencing other violent crimes. In N Arlington we have had several incidents of smash and grab. During the day, someone smashes down the front door of a house – blasting the front door right off the hinges – and then grabs jewelry. This has happened twice that I know of, the last time on March 28.

This type of violent crime is all uncommon in Arlington.

I ride with a Contour Camera strapped to my handlebar. This is another unfortunate reason why these cameras might be helpful.

You may wish to express your concern about these incidents to:
* Arlington Department of Environmental Services (in charge of roads and things) DES@arlingtonva.us
* Arlington Parks and Recreation trails@arlingtonva.us
* Arlington Police police@arlingtonva.us

[consularrider]

@MRH5028 48190 wrote:

This should really be a catalyst for increased police patrols on the trails. Put some cops on bikes and have them ride the trails.

Two Arlington motorcycle officers were on the W&OD heading east around 5:30 near the two mile post.

Two Wheels, glad you’re ok. Interesting that we were talking about this type of safety issues after the Two Wheel Tuesdays at Westover.

And then my wife was making a comment about the “black” heliocopters overhead a little later.

[jhr]

ARLnow has an article up now, which will hopefully get the word out to non-cyclists using the trail: http://www.arlnow.com/2013/04/03/police-investigate-armed-robbery-on-custis-trail/

Unfortunately the police haven’t found the suspects.

[dasgeh]

FYI, I’m sending this out now ish
To: police@arlingtonva.us, countyboard@arlingtonva.us
CC: DES@arlingtonva.us, trails@arlingtonva.us
Dear County Board members and Arlington County Police Department leaders:
Last night, armed robbers targeted users of the Custis Trail near Glebe Road. As a resident of a nearby neighborhood and a frequent trail user, I am deeply concerned by this event. This is not that first violent attack on the Custis Trail. These events, however, are not surprising: In the 5 years I have lived and biked in Arlington, I have never seen a police officer on the Custis Trail (aside from the part of the Custis which is really a sidewalk in Rosslyn). I understand that ACPD does own bicycles for its officers, but they are rarely used. Arlington should immediately start bicycle patrols of the trail system.
As a cyclist, I have been frustrated at the lack of bicycle-based policing in Arlington County. The benefits of bicycle patrols are well documented. Police officers on bikes are better able to interact with the environment and the people around them. Importantly, police officers on bikes have a better understanding of the safety issues facing cyclists, and can help target law enforcement to make all road and trail users safer.
Across the river in DC, I see plenty of police on bikes – not only Washington’s MPD, but many agencies’ law enforcement officers utilize bikes as an effective police tool. Arlington has been an outlier in the region in terms of putting police on bikes, and our community is less safe because of it.
The County has been a national leader in getting people out of their cars, and the multi-use paths, including the Custis, are a big part of that. However, the Arlington Police seem to be less committed to make walking and biking safe, and without police involvement to ensure safety, the County’s efforts to encourage active transportation will be wasted.
Safety and smart transportation planning are two of the top reasons my husband and I have chosen to raise our family in Arlington. The Arlington County Police Department can do a better job at keeping our community safe and supporting the County’s transportation planning. Please start by putting police on bikes, and keeping our trails safe, as soon as possible.
Thank you for your service to our community.
Sincerely,

Gillian Burgess
[Address]

[baiskeli]

@Tim Kelley 48164 wrote:

Wow–yikes! Any description of the guys that you can provide?

ArlNow has a story up with descriptions:

The first suspect is described as a white male, around the age of 25 and approximately 5’8” tall and 185 lbs. Suspect one was wearing a dark puffy winter jacket and dark pants. The second suspect is described as a male of an unknown race, approximately 6’0” tall and 200 lbs. Suspect two was wearing a dark jacket and dark pants at the time of the incident.

http://www.arlnow.com/2013/04/03/police-investigate-armed-robbery-on-custis-trail/

[baiskeli]

@myoglobinologist 48212 wrote:

Thank you for the warning. I bike this route every day.

Is there a better way getting on to custis, west bound, from Ballston, at night then? Two possibilities appear to be:

1. Go out on wilson and turn in at bonair park?
2. Continue west on surface streets on Fairfax drive west of the on-ramp to 66 and then connect on George Mason drive.

Are either of these preferable?

Thanks.

-k

The Custis ends at Bon Air Park – do you mean you want to go eastbound? or are you connecting to the W&OD?

If you mean going west on the W&OD, take the Bluemont Junction trail from the end of Fairfax Drive, which takes you to the W&OD. The entrance is behind the wall just past the Holiday Inn where Fairfax turns into an on and off ramp for I-66. This trail crosses the intersection of George Mason and Wilson, catty-corner, and continues on to the W&OD east of Bon Air Park.

[DismalScientist]

@myoglobinologist 48212 wrote:

Thank you for the warning. I bike this route every day.

Is there a better way getting on to custis, west bound, from Ballston, at night then? Two possibilities appear to be:

1. Go out on wilson and turn in at bonair park?
2. Continue west on surface streets on Fairfax drive west of the on-ramp to 66 and then connect on George Mason drive.

Are either of these preferable?

Thanks.

-k

I do number 2. (Should be connect before George Mason. The trail goes under George Mason)
The Bluemont trail is a possibility, but not as direct. It depends on whether you are already on the north side of Fairfax. Otherwise you are crossing Fairfax/on ramp to 66 to get to the Bluemont trail.
Wilson to the WOD is an option, but Wilson is two narrow lanes each direction, so be forewarned. The right turn onto the westbound WOD is at the bottom of a hill, so you lose all the momentum.

[myoglobinologist]

Awesome, thanks. I ride west out of Ballston along Custis and then W&OD to East Falls Church. I’ll try the Bluemont Junction trail as you suggest.

-k

@baiskeli 48225 wrote:

The Custis ends at Bon Air Park – do you mean you want to go eastbound? or are you connecting to the W&OD?

If you mean going west on the W&OD, take the Bluemont Junction trail from the end of Fairfax Drive, which takes you to the W&OD. The entrance is behind the wall just past the Holiday Inn where Fairfax turns into an on and off ramp for I-66. This trail crosses the intersection of George Mason and Wilson, catty-corner, and continues on to the W&OD east of Bon Air Park.

[DismalScientist]

@myoglobinologist 48227 wrote:

I ride west out of Ballston along Custis and then W&OD to East Falls Church.
-k

If you are looking to avoid trails, I would take the Fairfax Connector to the Custis and immediately take the George Mason ramp. Take George Mason north and turn left on Washington to EFC. There are bike lanes on Washington between Harrison and Westover. Washington here is one wide lane each way.

[Author]

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