Public Safety SAFETY briefs

Cruz’s hat found on the kitchen floor of Cruz’s apartment where the assault occurred, and bruises found on Cruz’s hand.

The one potential witness to the confrontation, Cruz’s then-girlfriend who also lived in the apartment, declined to answer most questions posed to her by Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Christina Brady. She evoked her fifth amendment protections against self-incrimination. Brady’s line of questioning centered on whether she and Cala had gone out on a date that night and that had caused the confrontation with Cruz.

Cruz’s attorney Ryan Campbell argued there was a lack of evidence to show that Cruz was the assailant. He also challenged whether the commonwealth had shown the assault of Cala was done maliciously, a requirement of both felony charges. If the cases were to proceed, Campbell suggested the charges be reduced, perhaps to manslaughter or assault and battery.

Brady said the severity of Cala’s injuries was indictive of malice.

Judge William R. Fitzpatrick agreed. He ruled the evidence demonstrated there was probable cause that Cruz committed the crimes.

The case is scheduled to be presented to a grand jury April 10.

The murder charge carries a sentence of five to 40 years in prison. n

Three Charged in Leesburg Arson Case

Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office has secured felony charges against three suspects accused of starting a fire at the former Westpark Golf Club building Jan. 23.

Marco Alexander Mendoza Monjaras of Leesburg, Elizabeth Caudill of Purcellville, and Adrian Mario Larrazabal of Leesburg were arrested March 16 on charges of arson, entering the building with the intent to commit arson, and conspiracy to commit a felony.

They were identified as suspects in the case from surveillance that was established following fires that occurred there earlier in the month, the agency reported.

The cases have been set for preliminary hearings on April 20 in Loudoun County District Court.

Virginia SAR Honors 2 Loudoun Deputies

The Virginia Sons of the American Revolution have recognized Loudoun Deputy First Class Camron Gentry and Deputy First Class Charles Ewing for their heroism and lifesaving.

Ewing and Gentry were recognized last April by the local John Champe Chapter, awarding Gentry a Heroism Medal and Citation and Ewing a Life Saving Medal and Citation. Gentry was subsequently selected as the best Virginia SAR Heroism nominee of 2022 among all such nominees across the state, and Ewing was selected as the best Virginia Society SAR Life Saving nominee of 2022.

On Jan. 2, 2021, Gentry and Ewing responded to the Walmart at Dulles Crossing Plaza for a report of a suspected shoplifter. The suspect shot Gentry and two security workers before fleeing the store. Ewing fired at the suspect as he fled, then gave medical care to Gentry including applying a tourniquet. He is credited with saving Gentry’s life.

Members of the Sergeant Major John Champe Chapter and sheriff ’s office command staff presented the awards at a surprise gathering Thursday, March 16.

Fire-Rescue Promotes

2 Deputy Chiefs

Loudoun County Fire and Rescue has promoted two battalion chiefs, both longtime Loudoun firefighters, to deputy chief.

Jason Collins was promoted to deputy chief of Special Operations & Emergency Preparedness. He joined Loudoun Fire-Rescue as a member of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company in 1986, and was hired into the career system in 1996, climbing through the operational ranks in the field as well as serving at the Fire and

Rescue Academy and in human resources. He has a degree in fire science administration, is a hazardous materials technician, has completed courses at the National Fire Academy, and serves on the Northern Virginia Fire Operations Board.

Justin Green was promoted to deputy chief of Communications and Support Service. He began his career in Loudoun in 1999 as a member of Recruit Class 1, serving at every field rank up to captain, implemented the Data Analytics section, and most recently served as the battalion chief of Special Operations. He graduated from the Northern Virginia Fire and Rescue Leadership Development Institute Company Officer Leadership Program and the Virginia Chief Officer Academy. Green is a member of the Northern Virginia Fire and Rescue Leadership Development Institute Advisory Board, the Northern Virginia Uncrewed Aerial System Working Group, the International Association of Fire Chiefs Wildland Fire Policy Committee, the Wildfire Learning Portal Governance Board, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security First Responder Resource Group.

Assistant Fire Chief Accepted to Executive Development Institute

Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief of Support Services and Volunteer Administration

Travis Preau has been accepted into the Fire Service Executive Development Institute.

The year-long leadership development program was created by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and includes learning online, meeting three times at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne, and attending the Fire-Rescue International conference in Kansas City, MO.

Preau began his fire service career in 1996 as a volunteer firefighter in the City of Franklin, going on to serve 16 years in Hanover County, rising to assistant district chief, and then 19 years with the City of Richmond Fire Department, rising to battalion chief of Administration. He joined Loudoun Fire-Rescue in May 2021.

He also plans to graduate in the fall with a master’s degree in public administration from Virginia Tech. n