FCPD lauds community for help in apprehending suspect in Woodlawn-area burglary, sex assault

February 29, 2016 Police and Fire
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Edwin Ponce Martinez (Fairfax County Police picture)

The Fairfax County Police Department held a press conference Monday afternoon that provided more details about the Feb. 20 burglary and sexual assault of a 50-year-old woman at an apartment complex off of Route 1 in the Woodlawn area.

Edwin Ponce Martinez was arrested Feb. 26 after being spotted by officers in a car near the intersection of Richmond Highway and Lockheed Blvd. in Hybla Valley. He was charged with burglary, rape and providing false identification to police officers. Ponce Martinez had been identified as a suspect earlier that day by the FCPD, four days after a sketch of the suspect had been released.

Chief Edwin C. Roessler credited engagement with an “active, robust community” in developing the information needed to quickly identify and apprehend a suspect.

“In this case from the start we had zero information as to who this suspect was,” Roessler said during the press conference, which the department streamed on Facebook.

Speaking after Roessler, Capt. Dave Smith said the police conducted two canvases in the neighborhood which were crucial in gathering clues in the case. Community members were “incredibly helpful,” according to Smith.

Citizens’ input pointed the police in the direction of a group of that were known to frequent the area, Smith said. Before the composite sketch provided by the victim was done, officers from the Mount Vernon police district were able to use the information provided by the community to zero in on Ponce Martinez. Evidence left at the scene was also tied to Ponce Martinez, Smith said.

The condition of the victim was not provided during the press conference, but Roessler indicated that she was receiving aid from the police force, and emphasized the brutal nature of the crime during his remarks.

“This case … is a tragedy for our community,” Roessler said.

Ponce Martinez is being held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.