Muggers on Custis

[Dickie]

@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.

Interestingly enough on my ride home yesterday on the W&OD trail near Great Falls road I crossed paths with a policeman heading west on bicycle doing exactly that!

[JorgeGortex]

The post from the county crime email blast that I get every week:

REPORTS

ARMED ROBBERY, 04/02/13, 1300 block of N. Vernon Street. At 10:20 pm on April 2, two unknown subjects knocked a man off his bicycle on the Custis Bike Trail. The subjects then brandished a handgun. Both subjects fled the scene by foot. The victim was transported to Virginia Hospital Center with injuries that he sustained during the attack. The first suspect is described as a white male, around the age of 25, 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.

BRANDISHING FIREARM, 04/02/13, 1200 block of N. Abingdon Street. Shortly after 10 pm on April 2, two subjects attempted to knock a victim off his bicycle and block the Custis Bike Trail. The victim was able to ram one of the suspects back and break through to safety, but noticed one of the suspects brandishing a firearm. After the victim got to safety, he was able to report the incident to police. However, the suspects had already robbed and attacked another victim at a different location on the same bike trail.

###################

Scary. Glad you are OK Two Wheels. First incident is right near the neighborhood where I grew up and where my family still lives. This is very disconcerting to say the least. Arlington’s affluence is attracting the worst elements.

JG.

[invisiblehand]

@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

My preferred route is #2. While it gets you past the Glebe and I-66 intersection, its connection to the Custis Trail is still quite secluded and dark.

The Custis Trail is the fastest way to get from Ballston to EFC Metros, IMO. Any alternative is a real inconvenience.

EDIT: I mean route #2 is the fastest. You can certainly catch the WOD around Bluemont Park if you continue down Wilson Blvd. It’s at the bottom of the hill. http://goo.gl/maps/iv7oA

[invisiblehand]

This is a marginally more accurate map of where to catch the WOD off Wilson Blvd.

http://goo.gl/maps/q4IWt

[JorgeGortex]

I was inspired by your letter dasgeh. Here is the one I just sent to the county and ACPD:

Dear public officials,

As a native Arlingtonian and current resident I was greatly concerned to hear of the recent violence that occurred on our multi-use trails. It is my observation over the last few years, following the news and reports, that violent crime is on the rise in my home town. The increasing affluence the county benefits from is now drawing an element to our streets that has a total disregard for common decency, civility, and laws. This is most disconcerting to me, and so I am writing to urge that aggressive and proactive common sense actions be taken by the county.

ACPD has a good rate of responding to crimes and assisting those in need, but police presence has not increased at the same rate as the rise in crime. It is ironic to me that I address this in reaction to violence against cyclists, when I believe that an increased bicycle and foot ACPD presence is what is needed. Although cruisers can get to locations quickly, they are not as effective at patrolling trouble areas, areas that are harder to access, and places criminals tend to lurk. ACPD needs to be given the resources to expand the number of officers and specifically patrols on foot and bicycle supporting a 24/7/365 program (or as reasonable based on need).

Local trails, the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor (especially now fight prone Clarendon) as well as Pentagon City, and other locations would be greatly served by a more up close and personal ACPD presence. Officers assigned to these regular patrol areas would get to know the trouble spots as well as the community better. The community in turn would get to know the ACPD. Those elements bent on causing trouble might be more inclined not to if they know a ACPD officer could be rounding the corner at any time. Residents might also feel safer and knowing the same.

The diversion of funds from other public projects will make a lot of sense when, god forbid, another attempted rape, sexual assault, armed robbery, etc. occurs and is successful. But at that point it is too late. Aquatic Centers, trolley systems, bike lanes/trails, commerce and restaurants are all important but only if your citizens feel safe enjoying them. The best defense, as they say, is a good offence and so I urge you all to act before another serious crime takes place. The responsibility to act proactively and with prejudice is yours. Please do so before another taxpayer, father, wife, child, or citizen is impacted by the thuggery threatening our county, our home.

Sincerely,

George K.

[baiskeli]

@myoglobinologist 48227 wrote:

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

Excellent – now you must pay my toll before you may pass.

(I live on that trail).

[RESTONTODC]

Crime could happen anyplace. I will keep riding this route. I won’t let these criminals take over this trail but need to be more vigilant in this area.

Thank you for the warning.

Rick

[Two Wheels]

@JorgeGortex 48236 wrote:

The post from the county crime email blast that I get every week:

REPORTS

ARMED ROBBERY, 04/02/13, 1300 block of N. Vernon Street. At 10:20 pm on April 2, two unknown subjects knocked a man off his bicycle on the Custis Bike Trail. The subjects then brandished a handgun. Both subjects fled the scene by foot. The victim was transported to Virginia Hospital Center with injuries that he sustained during the attack. The first suspect is described as a white male, around the age of 25, 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.

BRANDISHING FIREARM, 04/02/13, 1200 block of N. Abingdon Street. Shortly after 10 pm on April 2, two subjects attempted to knock a victim off his bicycle and block the Custis Bike Trail. The victim was able to ram one of the suspects back and break through to safety, but noticed one of the suspects brandishing a firearm. After the victim got to safety, he was able to report the incident to police. However, the suspects had already robbed and attacked another victim at a different location on the same bike trail.

###################

Scary. Glad you are OK Two Wheels. First incident is right near the neighborhood where I grew up and where my family still lives. This is very disconcerting to say the least. Arlington’s affluence is attracting the worst elements.

JG.

Their report is a little screwed up. I called 911 from Abingdon, the “brandishing” was where I described.

[PotomacCyclist]

I haven’t read through the entire thread, but someone posted last year about getting mugged in Georgetown, just after riding over Key Bridge early in the morning. They took his laptop computer but didn’t assault him (I think).

[Rod Smith]

@Two Wheels 48186 wrote:

He was either going to shoot me or not, whether I tried to flee wouldn’t affect that decision. And I figured if he was going to shoot me, I might as well make it hard for him. It is hard as hell to hit a moving target with a handgun especially when you are surprised and excited. And that’s with lots of practice, which I assumed he did not have. It is easy to hit a someone when who is two feet away, on his knees hoping to live, especially when you have all the time in the world to aim. All this popped through my head in 1/100th of a second.

And after hearing what they did to the other guy that willingly surrendered his wallet and phone, I shudder to think what could have happened had I stopped.

This was not fun. I did not sleep a wink last night. I am still shaking and close to tears. I’ve never felt so physically insecure.

It’s going to take some time.

Really great job on getting out of there unharmed!

[KayakCyndi]

ACPD must be listening. Tonight on the way back up the Custis trial I spotted this parked next the trail:

[ATTACH]2655[/ATTACH]

Then as I was cresting the first of the two rollers I passed two ACPD officers riding the other direction. Needless to say I thanked them and said I appreciated their presence on the trail.

[eminva]

@KayakCyndi 48366 wrote:

Then as I was cresting the first of the two rollers I passed two ACPD officers riding the other direction. Needless to say I thanked them and said I appreciated their presence on the trail.

I saw two officers on bikes, too, down near Bonair Park. Thanks, Arlington Police!

Liz

[Two Wheels]

@eminva 48372 wrote:

I saw two officers on bikes, too, down near Bonair Park. Thanks, Arlington Police!

Liz

Yes. Thank you.

[edobson22207]

@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 very glad you are okay and the other guy seems stable.

I’ve lived at 15/Utah since 1965 and the recent incidents are most unsettling. I often walk the trail late at night to get fresh air and often because I’m tired of being hassled while on Glebe Road (the main, busy, loud road).

Your account and the police account don’t exactly add up to me; and then all the advice on how to “avoid” that area makes it worse. So I would appreciate some clarity if you have a moment.

I think this is what you are saying: You were traveling westbound on the trail and had just topped the two killer hills (the one after the i-66 garage/deck at W-L; and then, my street, North Utah. So you were on the straight away just before going across the Westbound I-66 Exit for Glebe Road. Is that correct?

The police report says the first incident was at Abingdon & 12th; and the second at 13th & Vermont. But it sounds like your incident was more 13/Vermont. Here is the crime report which gives the times and locations that i’m trying to correlate to your posting: http://news.arlingtonva.us/crime-report:-april-3-2013

I’m really sorry to pose this question, but as a bicyclist, walker and immediate neighbor, I’d like to understand better where it happened.

[Two Wheels]

Has anyone heard how the other guy is doing? I’ve been worried sick about him.

[Author]

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