The Reston Serial Rapist
There has been an email going around warning of a serial rapist in the Reston area, here is a notice that has followed from the Fairfax County Police Department:
Dear Citizens:
In the past week and a half, there has been a malicious and erroneous e-mail circulating in our community which is causing undue alarm and hysteria. This e-mail has the subject line “Serial rapist spotted in Reston” and has many inaccuracies, false information and presumptions which have caused much concern in our community. As a result of this e-mail being circulated to our schools, HOAs, other jurisdictions, etc. my office, our dispatch center, and the police Public Information Office have been inundated with calls and e-mails referencing the rapist loose on the Reston pathways.
The facts are that on Saturday morning March 13, we had two reports of a suspicious male on the pathway along Glade Drive between Soapstone Dr and Twin Branches Road. Based on these reports, I directed additional patrol and resources to the pathway in an attempt to identify the subject along with providing a sense of security to the users of the pathways. The subject did not commit any crime nor was there any physical contact made.
On Monday March 15, the Washington Post had a detailed report of an East Coast Serial Rapist. Based on this article, the circulating e-mail erroneously made the leap that our suspicious person report was somehow linked. First, let me state there is ABSOLUTELY no information which remotely ties the suspicious male/incident to the East Coast Rapist.
Second, we encourage all citizens to call the police when suspicious activity occurs. However, there is no evidence to substantiate the concern that the East Coast serial rapist is loose in Reston. If you receive such an e-mail, it would be best not to forward the information; call the police Public Information Office at 703-246-2253. On March 16, information was released and is currently available on our webpage www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/stations/reston/
If you have any community questions or concerns, please let me know or contact our Crime Prevention Office at 703-478-0799.
Thank you,
Captain Deborah Burnett
Commander, Reston District Station