This event is at the McLean Community Center, Friday, July 29, at 1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean, VA 22101. Calvin Earl, the US Spokesman for the African American Spirituals as a National Treasure, will share stories and songs of how slave ancestors embedded their oral history into spirituals for safekeeping. Discover their secret coding hidden within songs to help runaway slaves find safe routes on the Underground Railroad and explore how these humble songs were transformed into freedom songs during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Cosponsored by The Alden. Friday, July 29, 2022, 7pm - 8:30pm. McLean Community Center/The Alden. Registration required. https://librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/8949990

Man Arrested in Widespread Theft from Churches

A 61-year-old man has been arrested for stealing from churches throughout the region. On June 28, Fairfax County police officers responded to the Saint Mary’s of Sorrows Catholic Church in Fairfax for a man who stole a purse from a car in the parking lot. The man used stolen credit cards from the purse at several stores nearby. On July 4, the same suspect returned to the church and stole from two donation boxes. At least one stolen check was cashed from the donation box.

Detectives reviewed surveillance footage and distributed flyers of the suspect throughout the region to other law enforcement agencies. Detectives from Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) identified the suspect as a Maryland resident. MCPD was investigating Phelan for similar crimes.

At 10:50 p.m. on July 14, officers responded to the 5700 block of Columbia Pike for an unresponsive man in a white truck. Officers found the suspect in the same vehicle used during the larcenies. Officers determined the truck was stolen from Montgomery County. The suspect was treated by medics then taken into custody. He was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and possession of burglarious tools. Four days later, detectives obtained and served warrants for three counts of credit card fraud, three counts of identity theft, theft of a credit card and petit larceny. He was held without bond.

Detectives view him as a suspect in several other larcenies at churches and businesses throughout Fairfax County. Detectives continue to review surveillance footage and anticipate additional charges are forthcoming.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information about this is asked to call detectives at 703-277-2361. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477).

9-8-8 and Emergency Services

A new 9-8-8 crisis and support hotline is now active across the United States, including in Fairfax County.

In 2020, Congress designated a new 9-8-8 dialing code to operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network, which comprises over 200 locally operated and funded crisis lines across the country. 

PRS, Inc. operates the local network in our area.

Dialing either 9-8-8 or the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), will connect the caller to behavioral health care and support 24 hours a day. Virginia continues to invest in building capacity to enhance community-based crisis services. Further updates will be provided in the upcoming months.

In addition, county services include emergency services (open 24/7) at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health , operated by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board. You may access emergency services by calling 703-573-5679 or going to 8221 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive in Fairfax.

Before coming to the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health, please call ahead to emergency services to see if you can be seen via telehealth services – phone or video.