Police: Arlington Officer Assaulted During Tow Truck Dispute

A woman who called the police over a tow truck dispute this week ended up being taken to jail, along with two acquaintances, after an officer was assaulted, according to the Arlington County Police Department.

Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck told Patch that 47-year-old Janet Thomas was at an apartment in the 700 block of South Greenbrier Street at about 11:16 p.m. Tuesday when she noticed her vehicle was getting towed.

The vehicle wasn't displaying a parking decal for the apartment complex, Sternbeck said.

The woman ran outside and confronted the tow truck driver as he was attaching her vehicle to the truck's hook. An argument ensued over whether she would have to pay a fee or else have her car towed.

During the dispute, Thomas got inside her vehicle to prevent it from being towed and called police, Sternbeck said.

When an officer arrived, he told the woman multiple times to get out of her car. She did not, Sternbeck said, and attempted to drive away, only to realize she was blocked in the parking space by the tow truck.

The officer attempted to remove Thomas from the vehicle, at which point she began screaming for help from her friends, Sternbeck said. Francisco Guerra Henriquez, 31, and 33-year-old Cruz Guerra Henriquez, who live at the residence Thomas was visiting, came to her assistance, according to police.

"She continues to struggle and fight with the officer. The two acquaintances come to her defense, and one physically tries to take the cuffs away from the officer" and pulled on the officer's arm, Sternbeck said.

The officer called for assistance. More police arrived and took all three people into custody.

Thomas and Cruz Guerra Henriquez were charged with obstruction of justice, and Francisco Guerra Henriquez was charged with assault and battery of a police officer, Sternbeck said.

No one was injured in the struggle.