Police Investigating 4 Reston Path Assaults

Fairfax County Police are investigating a series of assaults and robberies on Reston bike paths that they say may be releated.

In three of the incidents, victims were walking when they were approached by groups of young men, physically assaulted, then robbed. In a fourth incident, the victim was a bicyclist. Each of the incidents happened during daylight hours between 3:25 p.m. and 9 p.m, police said.

The most recent attack was Thursday around 3:25 p.m. A 23-year-old man told police he was walking home from the store along a path adjacent to a soccer field at Hunters Woods Park (2401 Reston Parkway) when three men approached him from behind, knocked him to the ground, demanded his belongings and assaulted him.

They took his belongings and walked away, heading north on the path, the man said. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries and walked to a nearby business to contact police.

Police said the suspects were described as two black males, around 5 feet 9 inches tall and 150 pounds. One wore an orange tank top and appeared to be in his late teens or early 20s. The other wore a light red polo shirt. The third suspect was possibly Hispanic, same height, between 18-20 years old and thin. He wore navy and gray, striped, loose pants and possibly a gray shirt.

Previous incidents:

• Monday, June 3, 7:50 p.m. Two men were walking along a path near Moorings Drive and North Shore Drive when they were approached by a group of men who demanded money, assaulted them, stole their belongings and fled.
• Friday, June 7, 9 p.m. A 31-year-old man was walking on a path near the community center at 12125 Pinecrest Road when he says he was reportedly approached by four young men who spoke to the victim, punched him and took the victim’s belongings after he fell to the ground. They fled down the path.
• Sunday, June 9, 6:20 p.m. A 42-year-old man was riding his bicycle on a path behind Hunters Woods Village Center when he was approached by a group of four young men, police said. One of them pushed the victim off of his bicycle and began to assault him by punching and kicking. They grabbed the victim’s money and belongings, yelled at him and fled. The victim yelled for help; a walker assisted him and called police and rescue. The victim was transported to the hospital where he was treated for broken bones and other non-life threatening injuries.      

Reston Association interim CEO Cate Fulkerson said RA is cooperating fully with the police department in the investigation. The incidents took place on RA paths.

"As more details come forward we will determine how we might assist," said Fulkerson. "The safety of pathway users is important to this community and we ask everyone to be aware of their surroundings, and to keep an eye out for and report any suspicious activity, particularly in light of these recent incidents."

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.

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