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Crime Report: ‘Bulging Eyes’ Flasher Returns

By WTOP Staff

For the second time in a week, a suspect with “bulging eyes” exposed himself in front of a Virginia Square apartment building.

From this week’s Arlington County crime report:

INDECENT EXPOSURE, 11/07/13, 900 block of N. Pollard Street. Between 1:35 am and 1:38 am on November 7, a female victim reported a male subject exposing himself for the second time in a week. The suspect is described as a light skin black male with “bulging” eyes, and in his late 20s to early 30s. He was wearing a black winter coat at the time of the incident. The investigation is ongoing.

The rest of the crime report, after the jump. All named suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

ABDUCTION/STRANGULATION, 10/31/13, 4400 block of S. 31st Street. At approximately 8:28 pm on October 31, 2013, the victim was strangled and assaulted by her live-in boyfriend while she held their small child. The boyfriend then attempted to hold the victim in the apartment at knifepoint when she tried to leave. Arrested was Cliudio Olibio, 29, of Arlington, VA. He was charged with Domestic Assault and Battery, Strangulation, and Abduction. He was held without bond.

ROBBERY BY FORCE, 11/02/13, 3200 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 2:14 am on November 2, two victims were assaulted by three suspects in front of a restaurant. During the assault, one victim had his wallet taken. The three suspects fled in a vehicle, which was later stopped by Fairfax County Police after a lookout was given. The suspects were taken to the Police Station and interviewed by detectives. The investigation is ongoing.

RAPE, 11/02/13, 300 block of S. Pershing Drive. On November 2 at 1:25pm, a victim reported that she had been sexually assaulted by a known subject following a party. The investigation is ongoing.

SEXUAL BATTERY, 11/04/13, 900 block of S. Dinwiddie Street. At approximately 6:45 pm on November 4, the victim was walking home when an unknown suspect approached her from behind, put his arm around the victim’s shoulders, and put his hand up the victim’s skirt. The victim pulled away and screamed, and the suspect fled the scene on foot. The suspect was described as a black male in his mid 30s, 5’9” and 160 lbs. He had black hair, brown eyes, and a black beard. He was wearing a dark colored beanie, a black jacket, a bright blue shirt underneath the jacket, blue jeans, and black gym shoes at the time of the incident.

BURGLARY, 11/05/13, 2700 block of S. Troy Street. Between 9:00 am and 6:45 pm on November 5, an unknown subject forced a rear door open and stole cash and electronics.

LARCENY FROM AUTO (Series), 11/06/13, 2000 block of S. Pollard Street. During the overnight hours, multiple vehicles were entered and items taken, including a handgun. The investigation is ongoing.

BURGLARY, 11/06/13, 1200 block of S. Eads Street. Between 8:30 am on November 6 and 5:30 pm on November 7, two victims had two laptops and two Nooks stolen from their residence while at work. No suspect(s) have been identified at this time.

STOLEN VEHICLES

11/01/13, VA WZC-2895, 2006 Toyota Prius, Green
5200 block of Lee Highway

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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