Police Still in Search of Suspect in Serial Groping Incidents

Fairfax County Police are making every effort to find the suspect in a series of groping incidents reported in the Springfield area since the end of last year.

Public Information Officer Lucy Caldwell said in a recent email that FCPD has had multiple resources devoted to the Springfield area for a few months now.

FCPD has had rapid responses to 9-1-1 reports of fondling incidents where in many cases, officers have arrived within minutes of the incident, Caldwell said.

"In at least one case, our officer was on scene with the victim before she had time to even find her cell phone in her purse. She was still looking for it," she said.

The most recent incidents were reported between Feb. 26 and March 1. According to an FCPD news release, one incident took place around 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 on Amherst Avenue near Cumberland Avenue. A 20-year-old woman was jogging when a man approached her from behind and fondled her. She screamed and he fled. The incident wasn't reported to FCPD until Feb. 28.

Another incident took place at about 5 p.m. Feb. 28 when a 29-year-old woman was walking in the 5900 block of Dinwiddie Street. A man reportedly approached her from behind, grabbed her and fled. The 21st groping report was reported March 1. Around 11:45 a.m. on Floyd Avenue near Hanover Street, a 28-year-old woman was walking when she was grabbed. She screamed and he fled.

The suspect in each of the recently reported groping incidents was similar, according to the release. He is described as a Hispanic male, around 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 8 inches tall, with facial hair, a ball cap and blue jeans.

Caldwell said FCPD has stepped up its patrol presence in the areas and this includes marked vehicles as well as undercover assets and resources. The police department has also spoken with local businesses which have been helpful and cooperative and have posted flyers. Officers have also gone door-to-door and kept the most recent information on the incidents available on the public FCPD website, Caldwell explained.

For various personal reasons, Caldwell said some victims don't report the incident right away.

"Sometimes there can be several hours or even days before officers receive a report," she said. "Sometimes, also, people make 'false' reports for a variety of reasons, that something happened and link it to the serial, high-profile assaults."

The dates and locations of the groping incidents are:

1. Sept. 7 at approximately 8:30 a.m. around the 7200 block of Monticello Boulevard
2. Sept. 9  or Sept. 13 at approximately 7:30 p.m. around Cumberland Drive and Dinwiddie Street
3. Sept. 18 at approximately 2:45 p.m. around the 6700 block of Metropolitan Center Drive
4. Sept. 19 around Hibbling Avenue and Exmore Street
5. Sept. 27 at approximately 9 a.m. around the 5900 block of Erving Street
6. Oct. 2 at approximately 7:15 p.m. around the Hibbling Avenue and Exmore Street
7. Oct. 25 at approximately 9:30 a.m. around Lake Pleasant Drive and Edinburgh Drive
8. Nov. 1 at approximately 4 p.m. around the 7200 block of Commerce Street
9. Nov. 1 at approximately 4:30 p.m. around the 6000 block of Hibbling Avenue
10. Nov. 19 at approximately 6 p.m. around the 7200 block of Commerce Street
11. Nov. 21 at approximately 1:20 p.m. around Amherst Avenue and Cumberland Avenue
12. Dec. 11 at approximately 10:28 a.m. around the Blarney Stone Drive near Omega Court
13. Dec. 13 at approximately 9 a.m. on Floyd Avenue and Erving Street
14. Dec. 13 at approximately 5:45 p.m. around the 6000 block of Hibbling Avenue
15. Jan. 3, at approximately 5:45 p.m. around Patriot Court and Briarwood Court
16. Jan. 30, at approximately 3:10 p.m. Dinwiddie Street near Dana Avenue
17. Jan. 30, at approximately 3:35 p.m. Backlick Road and Cabin John Road/I-495 underpass
18. Feb. 6, at approximately 5 p.m., 6600 block of Grey Fox Drive
19. Feb. 26, around 6:30 p.m., Amherst Avenue near Cumberland Avenue
20. Feb. 28, around 5 p.m., 5900 block of Dinwiddie Street
21. March 1, around 11:45 a.m., Floyd Avenue near Hanover Street

See also:

Serial Groper Strikes Again, 18th Incident Wednesday

Serial Groper Strikes Again, Incidents Now Number 17

Springfield Residents On Alert After Serial Groper's 14th Incident