Suspect Convicted in Stratford Motor Lodge Rape Case

Months of intense, complex investigative work by the City of Falls Church Police has resulted in a conviction earlier this month for the sexual assault of two female victims at a local hotel in January 2009. 

Arlington County Circuit Court sentenced 24-year-old Dennis Alba Terrazas, who lives in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County, to a 10-year consecutive sentence.  Falls Church Police have also charged 18-year-old Norka Linares and 23-year-old Ander Jiminez Foronda with concealing a crime.  One victim, a 23-year-old female, was raped and sodomized. 

With the assistance of the U.S. Marshals’ Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, Terrazas was located and taken into custody by U.S. Marshals, without incident on February 17, in Richmond.   On December 3, he was sentenced to five years for rape and five years for sodomy (10-year total sentence). 

The incident began the night of January 18, 2009, when Falls Church Police received a 911 call for a possible abduction and sexual assault.  An 18-year-old girl, her boyfriend, and the girl’s cousin, were celebrating the girl’s birthday at the Stratford Motor Lodge, 300 West Broad Street.  Over the course of the evening, two women were sexually assaulted, according to police.  One of the victims was taken to another hotel outside of the City limits after being assaulted, in order not to have the crime exposed.  The victim’s cousin then lied to police about her identity in order to minimize the events. 

None of the 12 people present in the motel room that night are City residents.  All live in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County.  Many of those involved are in their 20s, one female is 18 years old and two of the males are 17 years old.

City Teens Available to Shovel Snow — or Dog Walking, Babysitting, Etc.

While there was no shortage of snow during the Blizzard of ’09, there may have been a shortage of snow shovelers.

The Falls Church Recreation Department may have a solution. The Recreation Department maintains a Teen Work List of high school-aged youth who are interested in occasional jobs including snow shoveling, dog walking, yard work and babysitting.

Residents who are looking for teen workers may call 703-248-5077 to request assistance.

Teens who would like to register to be on the list (parental approval required) may call 703-248-5077 for a registration form.

Recreation staff coordinate the teens and the jobs to keep the youths’ contact information private. The rate of pay for the jobs is between the youth and the person looking for assistance.

Farmers Market Winter Hours: 9 to 12

The Falls Church Farmers Market, open every Saturday year ’round, begins winter hours of operation Saturday, Jan. 2.

The Market is open from 9 a.m. until noon, January through March. It opens at 8 a.m. the rest of the year.

The Farmers Market is held in the City Hall parking lot, 300 Park Ave., and is coordinated by the Falls Church Recreation and Parks Department.

For more information, call 703-248-5077.