February's Top Stories: State of the Union, Springfield Towne Center Top List
See which stories Kingstowne Patch readers clicked on the most in the month of February.
February has been an eventful month, and a few stories posted to Kingstowne Patch caught readers' eyes. Here are the top ten stories on the site from the past month.
Once you're done reviewing the list, let us know if you're surprised by this month's top stories. Which story had you talking to coworkers at the water cooler the next day?
10. Remains Found of Missing Springfield Man Oscar Velasco Montano
A mysterious case involving a Springfield man missing for 19 months appears to have been solved, according to a news report Friday morning by the Frederick News Post.
Remains found south of Frederick, Md., near New Design Road are apparently that of Oscar Velasco Montano of Springfield, who went missing July 9 2011, according to the newspaper report.
9. Police Arrest Two Suspects in Springfield Area Vehicle Shootings
The Fairfax County Police Department have arrested two men for incidents involving vehicle shootings. FCPD has charged Herbert Reyes-Cartagena, 18, and Alexander Chase, 19, with destruction of property and shooting a missile at an occupied dwelling and an occupied vehicle, according to a recent news release.
The two Arlington residents were arrested in connection with vehicles shot in the Newington Forest and Terra Grande neighborhoods in late 2012 after FCPD received numerous tips from the public.
8. Metro Police Arrest Suspect in Connection With Saturday Morning Auto Theft
Metro Transit Police have announced the arrest of the suspect in Saturday morning's auto theft. Isom Cooper, 49, was taken into custody Saturday afternoon by Fairfax County Police at a hotel on Van Dorn Street near the Capital Beltway, according to a metro news release.
FCPD and Metro Transit Police detectives interviewed Cooper and subsequently arrested him in connection with the car theft. Other charges may be pending.
7. Electrician Injured Friday in Fire at Springfield Home
An electrician was sent to the Burn Center at Washington Hospital Center Friday after a circuit breaker he was working on exploded at a home on Morning Dew Court in Springfield. The extent of his injuries was not known.
Firefighters from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue were called to the home at around 2:15 p.m. Friday, said Captain William Moreland. When firefighters arrived they found the home engulfed in flames.
6. West Springfield High Students Arrested on Child Porn Charges
Three teenage boys, students at West Springfield High School, were arrested last month on charges of producing child pornography, according to a report Friday by Fox 5.
The three students "are accused of getting teenage girls drunk and making sex tapes. The tapes were made sometimes after the girls had passed out," the Fox 5 report noted.
5. Crime Blotter: Man Exposes Himself Outside Woman's Home
Indecent Exposure (red on map), 1 a.m., Feb. 6, 6000 block of Essex House Square, A 47-year-old woman reported she observed a man standing on her porch. He was exposing himself and fled prior to police arrival.
In separate and unrelated incidents:
Burglary (blue on map), 3:40 a.m., Feb. 3, 5900 block of Frederick Street, A resident reported he heard a loud noise coming from an addition still under construction in the home. Wilfredo Vasquez, 28, of Springfield, was charged with burglary and drunk in public.
4. UPDATE: Police Identify Man Struck by Amtrak Train Thursday Night
Fairfax County Police have identified the man struck by the Amtrak train Thursday night as Richard Anderson, 64, of the North Springfield area.
The Amtrak train was traveling west, just west of the Backlick Road overpass, when it struck and killed Anderson.
3. Metro Transit Police Track Car Thief to Kingstowne Shopping Center
Metro Transit Police are asking for the public's assistance in finding a suspect wanted in a Saturday morning auto theft, according to a Metro (WMATA) news release issued Saturday.
The incident started around 7 a.m. when the suspect stole a black Pontiac from the Addison Road Metro Station, in Capitol Heights, Md.
Metro Transit Police were able to track the vehicle to a shopping center parking lot on Van Dorn Street in Kingstowne by using the victim's iPhone, which was left inside the car. Metro did not specify the shopping center address.
2. Springfield Town Center Construction Continues
The redevelopment of the Springfield Mall is currently progressing on schedule according to Mara Ooguin, a spokesperson for what will soon be the Springfield Town Center.
The demolition of the Springfield Mall began Nov. 26. All of the mall's stores closed back in July except for Macy's, JCPenney and Target.
1. What Time Is the State of the Union Address?
President Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night will offer local citizens more chances than ever to participate and find out more about issues they're most interested in. The White House will offer an "enhanced" viewing experience complete with charts, graphs and data.
The address will begin at 9 p.m. ET and will be followed by the traditional Republican response, this year delivered by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.
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