Woodbridge man arrested for 2007 attempted abductions

ARLINGTON, Va. - A Woodbridge man has been arrested for two attempted abductions dating back to 2007 after his DNA was connected to a recent sexual assault of a woman sleeping in her Arlington home last month.

Arlington County police said 34-year-old Justin Wingate Poe was identified as a possible suspect in the 2007 cases after police recovered DNA evidence on May 15 in an investigation where a woman reported waking up inside her home in the 700 block of N. Edgewood Street and being sexually assaulted. The suspect fled after the attack.

The DNA evidence was submitted to the state crime lab and police found it was linked to an unsolved attempted abduction case on May 28, 2007. In this case, police said a female victim was walking in the 1100 block of N. Vermont Street when a man came up behind her and attempted to cover her face with a plastic bag. The victim screamed and the suspect fled the scene. The bag was processed for evidence and a fingerprint was recovered.

A month later, police said another attack occurred to another female in the 2600 block of Lee Highway. She heard a knock on her door and when she went to answer it, a man was standing against the wall outside the door. Similar to the previous attack, the man attempted to place a plastic bag over her head. The victim was able to scream causing the man to flee the area.

After finding the link between the three cases, Arlington County police reviewed cold case files, crime scene evidence and lab results that eventually led to the arrest of Poe on Friday at his home. He has been charged with two counts of attempted abduction. Police said additional charges are expected. He is being held without bond.

FOX 5 has confirmed that Poe was a juvenile probation officer for Fairfax County and there is concern based on his network that there could be more victims.

The investigation into Poe is ongoing. Anyone who has information regarding these incidents or concerning Poe is asked to call Detective Sloan at 703-228-4198 or gsloan@arlingtonva.us. To report information anonymously, contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866.411.TIPS (8477).