Possible 24th Report Made in Series of Springfield Assaults, Police Say

Fairfax County Police responded to a possible 24th report in the series of Springfield assaults around 3 p.m. Thursday, after a 31-year-old woman was assaulted by a man in the 5900 block of Kingstowne Towne Center.

According to Public Information Officer Lucy Caldwell, the victim said she was followed by the man into the Home Goods store, which Caldwell said is distinctly different from the 23 incidents reported in the past six months where the victim were approached from behind on a public street.

The man grabbed the victim then fled, according to police. Other shoppers attempted to help, but the man still got away from the area, Caldwell said Thursday afternoon.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his 30s. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a black jacket, light-colored pants and a black hat, police said.

The incident, along with the 23 other incidents reported since early September, are still under investigation. Caldwell said at the moment, this incident seems to be connected to the other reports.

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
22. March 12, 7 p.m., 6400 block of Franconia Court
23. March 14, 3 p.m., Bauer Road near Old Keene Mill Road
24. March 28, around 3 p.m., 5900 block of Kingstowne Towne Center (in HomeGoods)

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

See also:

Serial Groper Attacks Spark Interest in Free Self Defense Class in Springfield

Franconia District Commander: Serial Groper Victims 'Traumatized'

More Than 200 Pack Serial Groper Meeting Thursday Night in Springfield

Serial Groper Attacks for the 23rd Time, Hours Before Police Meeting Thursday Night

Police Investigate Possible 22nd Assault in Serial Groper Attacks

Thursday: Serial Groper Incidents the Topic of Public Meeting with Police

Police Still in Search of Suspect in Serial Groping Incidents

Serial Groper Strikes Again, 18th Incident Wednesday

Serial Groper Strikes Again, Incidents Now Number 17