Two men were arrested after a fight left a worker hurt Wednesday night near Ballston Quarter in Arlington. Officers were called to North Quincy Street and 5th Road North around 8:09 p.m. for what was initially described as a report of a stabbing, near the area of an Advanced Towing lot.
According to WJLA, a witness reported seeing two men throwing rocks at a nearby business. When an employee confronted them, the men turned and threw rocks at him instead. One of the men then struck the employee with a sharp object, causing lacerations, while the other prevented him from leaving the area, according to ARLnow. Initial reports described the victim as a tow truck driver, per that outlet.
The men ran from the scene, but responding officers found them nearby and took them into custody, the station's report notes. Police identified the pair as Yuvin Sis Tista, 20, and Edison Mendez Hernandez, 19, both of Arlington.
Charges Include Malicious Wounding by Mob
Tista was charged with malicious wounding by mob, assault and battery, and public intoxication, per the same account. Hernandez was charged with malicious wounding by mob and abduction. Under Virginia Code § 18.2-41, a person who, as part of a mob, maliciously or unlawfully shoots, stabs, cuts or wounds another, or otherwise causes bodily injury with intent to maim, disable, disfigure or kill, is guilty of a Class 3 felony.
Accounts of the employee's injuries differ. WJLA reported that he was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, while DC News Now reported he was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. ARLnow likewise described the employee as hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries.
No Ongoing Threat, Police Say
DC News Now reported that the incident remained under investigation and that police said there was no ongoing threat to the community. Arlington County Police reported that two adult male subjects had been detained and that there appeared to be no outstanding individuals connected to the case, according to ARLnow. Police said a presence would continue in the area as the investigation continued.
