Additional information is available, HERE.

Tragically, September ended with the Franconia District’s second homicide of 2022. On 9/27, officers responded to a home in the 5500 block of Justis Place for a death investigation. Talat Hassanein, 82, was found unconscious at the bottom of a basement stairwell. Detectives later determined that Talat’s son, 36-year-old Samy Hassanein fatally assaulted his father. He was arrested and charged with second degree murder. Detectives are continuing to investigate and victim specialists from our Major Crimes Bureau have been assigned to ensure the victim’s family is receiving appropriate resources and assistance. Additional information is available, HERE. 

Please continue to remain vigilant and don’t hesitate to connect if I can be of any assistance, john.lieb@fairfaxcounty.gov

On September 24^th, Lieutenant Derek L. Gray took over as Franconia District Station Assistant Commander. He takes over from Lieutenant Erica Webb who moves to the Internal Affairs Bureau.

Lieutenant Gray joined FCPD as an Air Force veteran and has been with the Department for over 25 years. Most of that time has been in the Patrol Bureau, working up from PFC and Master Police Officer to Lieutenant. Significantly for his current position, 19 of those years were at Franconia District Station! In addition to other patrol activities at Franconia, he was a Field Training Instructor (FTI). An FTI guides fresh graduates of the Criminal Justice Academy in learning the practical aspects of patrol work. In 2011 he was recognized as FTI of the Year. During his 22 years in patrol, Lieutenant Gray has also had assignments at Mount Vernon and Mason District Stations.

Before returning to Franconia, he served three years in the Internal Affairs Bureau, one year of which was as Assistant Commander of Investigations.

Lieutenant Gray says: "I consider Franconia my home away from home and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the community and my officers."

PFC Delanta Neal is Franconia District Station's newly assigned Traffic Outreach Officer. In that position, he works closely with community stakeholders and with VDOT and other agencies to address traffic safety concerns in the Franconia District. PFC Neal has almost eight years of experience at Franconia District Station including duty as a Field Training Instructor.

Before joining FCPD, PFC Neal worked on armored trucks and served with the Metro Transit Police Department.

On a personal note, PFC Neal says he is a collector of video game systems and cologne. He is a sports enthusiast who has played organized sports since he could walk.

Officer Sean Crotty is September Officer of the Month for his outstanding work in two separate cases.

On September 12^th, Officer Crotty took a report of credit card larceny and fraud at a local hotel. In follow up investigation, he obtained security video which provided photos of the vehicle used by the suspect. On September 16th, while on patrol, Officer Crotty observed the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop it, but the vehicle fled. He did not pursue, but he was able to see and identify the driver and recognize him as the suspect from the credit card larceny and fraud event. He was then able to obtain nine warrants for the suspect’s arrest.

The second case occurred on September 13^th. While on patrol, Officer Crotty observed a black Chevy being operated recklessly and without a rear license tag. As he attempted to get through traffic to make a stop on the vehicle, the driver observed his approach and attempted to elude him. In the process, the driver lost control and wrecked his vehicle at the entrance to a mall parking garage. The driver then attempted flee on foot, trying to change clothes at the same time. Officer Crotty was able to catch up to suspect and take him into custody. Further investigation of the vehicle’s contents revealed that the suspect had just committed a larceny at the Buy Buy Baby store and the merchandise was recovered from the car. Drug paraphernalia was also discovered in the car.

These are two examples of the great police work Officer Crotty does on a day-to-day basis.

Immobilizers are an important part of a vehicle's anti-theft system. The immobilizer looks for a signal from the key fob to ensure that the fob is present in the vehicle. If the signal is not there (or incorrect) the immobilizer prevents the engine from starting. Most cars built in the last 20 years have immobilizers and the newer a car is, the more likely it is to have one.

Immobilizers have significantly reduced vehicle theft. If a car is left unlocked or broken into by a thief, the contents of the car may be at risk, but the car itself will be less likely to be stolen.

Recently, insurance industry analysis has shown that Kia and Hyundai vehicles are stolen at a rate more than twice the industry average. The higher rate may be due to fewer of those vehicles having immobilizers. In fact, a proposed class action lawsuit alleges that certain Kia models from 2011-2021 and certain Hyundai models from 2015-2021 did not have immobilizers.

The best way to learn whether your car has an immobilizer is to look in the Owner's Manual. If your car doesn't have one, you should be especially careful to insure your car is locked and you should consider getting an after-market immobilizer or steering wheel lock.

To learn about county activities and resources honoring Domestic Violence Awareness Month, click HERE.

To learn about services available to help victims, abusers and families touched by domestic abuse, click HERE.

The FCPD 3rd Annual Trunk-or-Treat event will be held October 19th at the Fairfax County Government Center.

Questions? Email: FCPDSulOutreach@fairfaxcounty.gov

For more information about events or for other crime prevention information and assistance, contact the Franconia District Station Crime Prevention Office:

Crime Prevention Officer

PFC Sean Corcoran [sean.corcoran@fairfaxcounty.gov] 703-277-2476

Calls for Service and Crime Statistics

Total Calls for Service FCPD-wide increased 3.6% in September 2022 versus September 2021.

In Franconia, total Calls for Service decreased 1.3% in September 2022 compared to September 2021. However, the mix of calls changed significantly. While Service calls decreased 12.5%. Criminal calls increased 20.2% and Traffic calls increased 17.1%.

To see the call types included in each category click HERE

For information on how these statistics are compiled click HERE .

In the January - September period of 2022, Franconia Group A Events (more serious crimes) increased by 24% compared with January - September 2021. There were increases in all Patrol Service Areas. The FCPD department-wide change was a 16% increase.

In Franconia, there were notable increases YTD over the same period last year in the Assault, Counterfeiting, Larceny/Theft, Robbery and Motor Vehicle Theft categories with decreases in Drug/Narcotics and several other categories.

Group A offenses are more serious offenses as designated by the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS). For a full description of Groups A and B click HERE.

** A second possible homicide on 9/27 is currently classified as 'suspicious death' pending final determination.

DESTRUCTION – GRAFFITI (Anti Black): Wednesday – 09/21/2022

6500 Springfield Mall – Springfield Town Center; Racial slurs were spray painted on the steps, walls, elevator doors, ground, and stairwell on the top level of a parking garage. 

DESTRUCTION – GRAFFITI (Anti Black): Thursday – 09/22/2022

6500 Springfield Mall – Springfield Town Center; Additional fresh graffiti was located. Racial slurs were spray painted in the stairwell and on the elevators. 

INDECENT EXPOSURE (Anti-Islamic - Moslem): Friday – 09/30/2022 3700 blk of Burgundy Rd; A male subject made racial slurs to the victim, then pulled down his pants, exposing himself to her.

For more detail on Virginia and Fairfax County Bias Crime law click HERE

For additional information and statistics on crime please click below.

The new Lorton Community Center will open its doors on October 10th. A Grand Opening ribbon cutting ceremony will be held October 15th at the Center at 9520 Richmond Highway. Click on the image for details of the Grand Opening and click HERE for more information about what the Center offers.

CAC meetings are normally held at 7 PM on the 3^rd Wednesday of the month. However, there will be no meeting in October due to the FCPD Trunk or Treat and early voting. Also, the November meeting will be held on November 9^th due to scheduling issues.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 9^th, 2022 at 7 PM in the Community Room, Franconia Governmental Center, 6121 Franconia Road.

At the September meeting, Sergeant Ali Sepehri and Officer Kevin Gehr provided a presentation on the FCPD Civil Disturbance Unit. The unit is made up of officers who have other day-to-day jobs but who are called out for civil disturbance events such January 6^th, 2021.

Thank you to CAC members for all the candy donations for the FCPD "Trunk or Treat" which will be held October 19^th.

And, thank you to Greenspring Retirement Community for providing lunches on September 27^th and 28^th for both A and B Squads at Franconia District Station.

 Click on the image.

Anyone with information pertaining to cases is asked to contact Crime Solvers by one of the methods below. If the information provided results in an arrest and indictment, apprehension of a fugitive or the recovery of stolen property or seizure of illegal drugs, a cash reward ranging between $100 to $1000 is paid to the tipster.