Crime never takes a holiday in Arlington County, Virginia, and the first weeks of 2026 have proven no exception. This past weekend, a series of notable incidents tested the mettle of local law enforcement, with officers responding to a variety of offenses ranging from assault on police to larceny and unlawful entry. The details, drawn from the Arlington County Police Department’s Daily Crime Report and corroborated by FOX 5 DC, paint a vivid, sometimes jarring, picture of the challenges faced by both residents and officers alike.
The evening of January 12, 2026, was particularly eventful. At approximately 6:14 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 3500 block of Columbia Pike following reports of a heated dispute. According to the official police bulletin, a male suspect and a female victim—who knew each other—had engaged in a verbal altercation that quickly escalated. The suspect allegedly assaulted the woman, stole her phone, and smashed it before fleeing the scene on foot. But the drama didn’t end there. Later that evening, the suspect returned to the area. When a responding officer attempted to take him into custody, things took a violent turn. The suspect resisted arrest and assaulted the officer. It took additional officers to subdue and detain him. During a search incident to arrest, brass knuckles were found in his possession.
The officer involved sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at a local hospital. The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Jalani Gatlin of Alexandria, Virginia, now faces a raft of charges: Assault and Battery on Law Enforcement, Assault and Battery, Robbery, Trespassing, Destruction of Property, Possession of Blackjacks, and Obstruction of Justice. He is being held without bond, underscoring the seriousness of the alleged offenses. As the Arlington County Police Department reminds the public, all individuals arrested or charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and charges may be amended as court proceedings unfold.
Just over an hour later, at 7:25 p.m., another assault on law enforcement was reported, this time at the intersection of North Lexington Street and Wilson Boulevard. Officers responded to a call regarding an assault and found that a female suspect had approached a woman in the area and allegedly spat on her before fleeing. Thanks to a timely lookout broadcast, officers quickly located a woman matching the suspect’s description nearby and took her into custody. But the situation escalated further when, while in custody, the suspect spat on two officers. The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Katherine Claffey of Arlington, was charged with two counts of Assault and Battery on Law Enforcement and one count of Assault and Battery. The case highlights the unpredictable risks officers face, even in seemingly routine encounters.
Earlier that same day, at 11:08 a.m., police were called to the 4300 block of North Carlin Springs Road after receiving a report of a possible burglary. Officers discovered that a male suspect had allegedly forced entry into a vacant apartment, causing property damage, before fleeing the scene. Despite a thorough canvass of the area, the suspect initially evaded capture. However, persistence paid off: later that evening, the suspect returned to the apartment, where officers were able to arrest him without further incident. The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Shaka Barnes, who has no fixed address, was charged with Unlawful Entry and Destruction of Property.
Meanwhile, the county saw a spate of property crimes over the same period. On January 12, a stolen vehicle was reported on the 2600 block of South Barton Court—a 2021 white Honda Civic bearing Virginia license plate UFU8117. In a positive turn, another stolen vehicle was recovered the same day at the intersection of South Lynn Street and South Arlington Ridge Road. Larceny incidents, a persistent challenge in urban areas, were reported at multiple locations, including the 2800 block of Clarendon Boulevard, 100 block of North Thomas Street, 1400 block of South Hayes Street, and several others. These cases, while often lacking the drama of violent crimes, nonetheless impact the sense of safety and security in the community.
Destruction of property also featured in the county’s crime blotter, with incidents at Army Navy Drive at South Hayes Street and the 5500 block of Columbia Pike. Assault and battery cases were logged at the 4100 block of South Four Mile Run Drive and the 300 block of South Glebe Road. A suspicious circumstance was reported on January 13 at the 1700 block of North George Mason Drive, though details remain scarce as investigations continue.
Not all of the weekend’s incidents occurred on January 12. On the night of January 11—a Sunday—a separate and alarming event unfolded. As FOX 5 DC reported, Arlington police responded to a hit-and-run at a red light. The driver, later identified as 34-year-old Shawnita Campbell of Washington, D.C., allegedly struck a victim from behind and fled the scene. She was found by officers on the 1900 block of North George Mason Drive, where, according to police, she ignored commands, became combative, and struck an officer during the arrest process. Fortunately, neither the officer nor the victim sustained injuries. Campbell was subsequently charged with Assault and Battery on Law Enforcement, Driving Under the Influence, and Refusal of a Breath/Blood Test. The case, which began as a road incident, quickly escalated into a confrontation with law enforcement, illustrating the unpredictable nature of policing.
These incidents, while diverse in nature, share a common thread: the challenges and dangers facing both Arlington residents and their police force. As the official crime report notes, the information provided is typically based on initial reports and may be supplemented or revised as investigations progress. The department encourages residents to stay informed through resources like the online Crime Data Hub and reminds the public that the presumption of innocence is a cornerstone of the justice system.
For those living in Arlington, the past week serves as a stark reminder that vigilance and community cooperation remain essential. Whether it’s a violent altercation, a property crime, or a suspicious circumstance, the swift response and professionalism of local law enforcement are crucial in maintaining public safety. As these cases work their way through the justice system, the community’s resilience and the ongoing commitment of its officers will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the weeks to come.
