Police Set Up Task Force to Find Serial Butt Stabber
FCPD uses model similar to the one used to solve serial burglaries last fall
Fairfax County Police announced it has set up internal task force to find the suspect connected with the series of butt stabbings at retail stores that began in February.
"It's basically the same model we used last year in the serial burglar task force in the way we internally manage our resources," said Lucy Caldwell, spokesperson for the FCPD. "It worked for the serial burglar. Although he was arrested in Maryland, our resources played a key role in that arrest."
Caldwell said using a task force helps coordinate the many leads and pieces of information that come from a variety of sources in a serial case like this one.
Though no incidents have been reported outside the county, the task force has already met with other jurisdictions to share details in case they come across similar incidents or relevant information.
Police are using several techniques in the investigation, including additional uniformed officers throughout malls and retail centers across the area, according to a statement released today.
The last known assault was July 25 at Forever 21 in Fair Oaks mall. Eight other cases have been reported.
The complete list of incidents are:
- July 25, Fair Oaks Mall, Forever XXI
- June 20, Greenbriar Shopping Center, Marshalls
- June 18, Tysons Corner Mall, H & M
- June 8, Fairfax Towne Center, T.J. Maxx
- May 16, Fair Oaks Mall, Ann Taylor
- March 11, Tysons Corner Center, H & M
- February 14, Fair Oaks Mall, near Champps
- February, Fair Oaks Mall (no other info available)
- February, Fair Oaks Mall, Forever XXI (no other info available)
FCPD is keeping a list of incidents on the department's homepage to keep residents informed as new cases arise, similar to the running tally last summer of incidents related to the serial burglar.
To interact with a map of the stabbing locations, click here.
The suspect is described as hispanic, late 20’s, around 5 feet 6 inches tall and heavy-set. He wore white shorts and a short-sleeved shirt in the July 25 assault.
Contact Crime Solvers at 866-411-TIPS/8477, www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 with any information. Fairfax County Police can be reached at 703-691-2131.
Kevin G.
3:34 pm on Friday, August 12, 2011
They probably should have kept that quiet. You don't sneak up on a criminal by banging pots and pans together and telling the world. We trust that the police are doing what they should to get this guy. Announcing it to him and putting uniformed officers in the area isn't gonna do it so well, in my humble opinion.
M
11:57 am on Saturday, August 13, 2011
Your opinion is pretty humble. The public will catch this guy and notify the police. What you prescribe is bad policing. They need to inform the public and this guy has a million people looking out for him. And potential victims can be more on guard. If you think relying on a tiny number of uniformed policemen is a bad idea, then you ought to see the merit in the publicity.
El
3:50 pm on Friday, August 12, 2011
What'cha gonna do with that bad boy when you find him? Secure Communities, anyone?
Impartial Observer
5:44 pm on Friday, August 12, 2011
Author, can you please use another term instead of "butt stabber"? Think of this as an opportunity to use your creativity in the headline... how about the "Suburban Shopping Slasher?" Or at least use the word "buttocks" instead of "butt." Bottom line: you trivialize the story by using juvenile language in the headline.
ROD KIRK
11:59 pm on Friday, August 12, 2011
DON'T WORRY ABOUT THIS TACTIC SCARING THE GUY STRAIGHT, COZ I'M SURE THIS IDIOT CAN'T READ!!! SADLY, IN HIS MIND, HE IS GOING TO "CATCH" THE GUY WHO IS DOING THIS TO THESE GIRLS, AND BECOME THEIR HERO. THIS SCENARIO NEVER QUITE WORKS OUT FOR HIM, SO HE KEEPS DOING IT, AND WON'T STOP BECAUSE OF ANY PUBLICITY, AND IN FACT MAY THRIVE ON SAME. TODAYS WORD IS SCHIZOPHRENIA...A FORM OF INSANITY MARKED BY INTROVERSION AND LOSS OF CONNECTION BETWEEN THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, AND ACTIONS. SEND HIM TO PENTAGON CITY MALL, AND I'LL DUST HIS ASS. ROWDY
Homey D. Clown
9:00 am on Saturday, August 13, 2011
Shut up 'Impartial Observer'. That is where he is stabbing people, so your sensitivities are of no importance.
Karen Goff
11:29 am on Saturday, August 13, 2011
Let's please keep it civil. Can you make your point without telling someone to "shut up?" That said, we will continue to use "butt stabber," as homey is right, that is where he is stabbing people.
M
11:55 am on Saturday, August 13, 2011
This guy will keep on and he will get caught. He better hope the police catch him because the odds are he will get caught by a citizen or citicens and will likely get the he11 knocked out of him. He may even find his own butt stabbed with his crime tool.