Loudoun News Briefs

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Teen Suspected in Armed Robbery of Lucketts Store

A 16-year-old has been identified as a suspect in the Wednesday night robbery of a Lucketts convenience store, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said.

His name was not released because he is a juvenile.

Shortly before midnight, a male entered the Lucketts Mini-Mart in the 14400 block of James Monroe Highway and brandished what appeared to be a firearm. Sheriff’s officials said he demanded cash and left the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.

Three From N.Y. Are Held In Traveler’s Check Fraud

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is alerting businesses to beware of shoppers using counterfeit traveler’s checks after a fraud incident at Dulles Town Center.

Sheriff’s officials said a woman used counterfeit traveler’s checks in $100 denominations to purchase small items Aug. 8 at Macy’s in Dulles Town Center. The woman then received the remaining balance in cash.

Sheriff’s officials apprehended a woman and two men. The three were found in possession of $8,000 in counterfeit traveler’s checks, sheriff’s officials said.

Jessica St-Preux, 23, Kevin Cajou, 24, and Ammiel Prochet, 23, all of Brooklyn, N.Y., were charged with conspiracy to obtain money by false pretenses. St-Preux was also charged with fraud and possession of forged bank notes. The three are being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center without bond.

The sheriff’s office is urging businesses to familiarize themselves with security measures on traveler’s and gift checks to help verify that the checks are valid.

Count of Leesburg Ash Trees Is Underway

Leesburg’s Tree Commission and the Loudoun County Master Gardener Tree Stewards are partnering to tally ash trees in Leesburg.

The estimate of the number of trees will help the commission assess the potential impact of the emerald ash borer, an invasive pest that kills the trees.

With the borer’s spread, most of the ash trees in Leesburg could potentially be lost. By tallying the trees, the commission can estimate their contribution to the tree canopy cover and the potential loss in canopy.

The Tree Stewards will survey ash trees visible from public streets. They will not enter private property. The effort kicked off Aug. 6 and will probably be complete by early fall, before the leaves fall.

The emerald ash borer is known to be in the area. Efforts are focused on tracking its spread and understanding the impact that the loss of most ash trees would have. Trees can be treated, but the treatment is expensive and must be applied every year to be effective.

The town has no plans to treat trees on public property. It is up to property owners to treat their trees.

The Tree Commission has set a goal of 40 percent tree canopy cover within 20 years in Leesburg. The most recent evaluation of tree canopy put the coverage at 27 percent.

— Compiled by KAFIA A. HOSH

Tagged: crime, Dulles Town Center, fraud, gardening, Leesburg, Lucketts, robbery, trees

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