Residents in Woodbridge may soon have a new grocery option. Signs for Lidl, a popular discount grocer, have appeared in the Smoketown Stations shopping center on Prince William Parkway. The signs are placed at the former site of 2nd and Charles, a bookstore that closed its doors earlier this year.
Lidl, known for its budget-friendly groceries and streamlined shopping experience, has not confirmed its plans for the site. In an email, Lidl representative Bridget Johnson stated, “We announce store openings a month in advance. If there are future updates regarding Lidl US stores in the Woodbridge area, we will reach out.”
Santa Claus is coming to Potomac Mills! Starting this Friday, Nov. 22, shoppers will be able to partake in the annual Santa Photo Experience. View hours and make your preferred Santa reservations today by clicking here!
A 36-year-old man turned himself in on November 14 in connection with a 2023 sexual assault and abduction that occurred in the Woodbridge area. He faces charges of rape and abduction and is being held without bond.
Press Release from Prince William Police:
Rape Investigation *ARREST – On November 14, the suspect, identified as Kelvin Johnson ALVARADO-AGUILAR, who was sought in connection to the sexual assault that was reported to have occurred at a residence located in the Woodbridge (22191) area of Prince William County in 2023, turned himself into police.
Alvarado-Aguilar, K. J.
Arrested on November 14:
Kelvin Johnson ALVARADO-AGUILAR, 36, of the 1300 block of Ironwood St. in Woodbridge
Charged with rape and abduction
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond
Rape Investigation [Previously Released] – On October 17, 2024, detectives obtained charges in an ongoing investigation regarding a sexual assault that was reported to have occurred at a residence located in the Woodbridge (22191) area of Prince William County in 2023. The investigation revealed the adult female victim was sexually assaulted by an acquaintance, identified as the accused. While investigating the incident, detectives learned the accused had held the victim against her will in an altercation in 2022. The victim eventually reported the incidents prompting the police investigation. Following the investigation, detectives obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as Kelvin Johnson ALVARADO-AGUILAR. Attempts to locate the accused have been unsuccessful.
On November 11, 2024, a suspect was arrested in connection with a shooting incident on August 4, 2023, in Woodbridge, where the suspect fired multiple rounds at a vehicle. The suspect was charged with shooting into an unoccupied vehicle and reckless handling of a firearm, and is being held pending a court date.
Press Release from Prince William Police:
Shooting into an Unoccupied Vehicle | Reckless Handling of a Firearm ARREST – On November 5, 2024, detectives obtained arrest warrants for a suspect identified in the shots fired call that was reported to have occurred in the 13900 block of Rope Dr. in Woodbridge (22191) on August 4, 2023. The suspect, identified as Bryant Manuel HENRIQUEZ FLORES, was taken to custody without incident on November 11, 2024.
Henriquez Flores, B. M.
Arrested on November 11, 2024:
Bryant Manuel HENRIQUEZ FLORES, 25, of 13908 Rope Dr in Woodbridge
Charged with shooting into an unoccupied vehicle and reckless handling of a firearm
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Shooting into an Unoccupied Vehicle | Reckless Handling of a Firearm [Previously Released] – On August 4 at 10:40PM, officers responded to the 13900 block of Rope Dr. in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate a shots fired call. The investigation revealed the victim, a 50-year-old man, was working on a vehicle parked in the above area, when he was approached by an unknown man. During the encounter, the suspect brandished a firearm and fired multiple rounds towards the victim. The victim was able to flee the area on foot and was not injured. While investigating the incident, officers determined the man was possibly with a group of other men who were near a brown-colored vehicle prior to the encounter. While checking the area, officers located two vehicles that sustained damage [consistent] with being struck by projectiles, and shell casings in the roadway. No injuries or additional property damage were reported.
Prince William County officials celebrated a milestone today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new six-level parking garage in Woodbridge.
The $53.5 million Potomac/Neabsco Mills Commuter Garage, designed to serve as a park-and-ride hub, represents a significant investment in the region’s transportation infrastructure and is a step toward meeting the growing demands of residents and commuters.
The garage, located just off Opitz Boulevard near the Interstate 95 E-ZPass Express Lanes, opened one day after a new ramp providing direct access from Opitz Boulevard to the express lanes was inaugurated. The garage’s strategic location provides easy access to highways and toll lanes, aiming to alleviate congestion at the nearby Route 1/Route 234 Park and Ride Lot.
Prince William County Police Department reopened its field office at Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge earlier this month.
The field office will be utilized to support the mall, its visitors and tenants, but will also house members of the department's recruitment team. According to a press release, the office will be available for new hire testing, report writing, meetings, training seminars and processing people who commit minor offenses. The location within the mall is behind the Round Bowling & Amusement.
Courthouse Road commuter lot in Stafford County. Photo: VDOT
Press Release:
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is evaluating the performance of ParkZen, a new smart parking mobile app that enables local travelers to view real-time parking availability in six commuter lots in Fairfax, Prince William, and Stafford counties at no cost. The ParkZen app helps commuters check for and navigate to unoccupied parking spaces.
Potomac Mills has announced a major renovation to its Food Pavilion, timed with the mall’s upcoming 40th anniversary in 2025. The remodel, set to begin this winter and expected to be completed by early 2025, will transform the dining space with a modernized look, new seating options, energy-efficient lighting, and enhanced areas for socializing, all designed to elevate visitors' experience.
According to Potomac Mills’ press release, the upgraded Food Pavilion will feature contemporary flooring, stylish lighting, and a refreshed color palette to create a more inviting atmosphere. New seating arrangements, including elevated banquet tables, intimate conversation spots, and flexible benches, will offer comfortable spaces for groups of all sizes. The renovation, which incorporates energy-efficient LED lighting throughout, aligns with the mall’s commitment to sustainability.
Bethany Webb, a spokeswoman for Potomac Mills, shared additional details with Potomac Local News:
Jennifer Snitselaar, General Manager of Potomac Mills, distributed 30 Build-A-Bear stuffed animals to children during a police meet-and-greet at the mall on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. [Uriah Kiser/Potomac Local News]Families gathered at Potomac Mills mall on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, for a unique opportunity to meet and greet with Prince William County Police officers. The event, held in collaboration with Potomac Mills, aimed to foster positive connections between police officers and the local community. As part of the event, the mall provided free Build-A-Bear stuffed animals, all of which sported a police uniform, to the first 30 young visitors, creating a warm, friendly atmosphere for children and parents alike.
Jennifer Snitselaar, General Manager of Potomac Mills, emphasized the mall’s commitment to being a “center of community” in Woodbridge. “We are a very large tourist destination, and we aim to be a reflection of our community within our doors,” said Snitselaar. “Collaborating with Prince William Police to create a safe and welcoming environment is part of that mission.” The mall’s police substation, a permanent fixture, is another example of the ongoing partnership designed to enhance safety and build community connections.
Parent Lauren Lumley, who lives in Woodbridge with her 13-month-old son, Sawyer, said the event provided an invaluable experience for her child. “I thought it was really important for Sawyer to get to see police officers, so the first time he either needs one or sees one out in the world, it’s not so scary,” Lumley explained.
For Lumley and other local families, Potomac Mills has become more than a shopping destination—it’s a central community hub. “We come to the mall many times a week,” she said. “They offer so much for kids, from play areas to events like this. It’s a place where the community comes together.”
The meet-and-greet event exemplifies Potomac Mills' role as a gathering place for the local community, offering not only shopping but also family-friendly activities that promote safety and engagement. The partnership with Prince William Police aims to build lasting bonds and a welcoming environment where children and families feel at home with their local law enforcement officers.
A 36-year-old man turned himself in on November 14 in connection with a 2023 sexual assault and abduction that occurred in the Woodbridge area. He faces charges of rape and abduction and is being held without bond.
Press Release from Prince William Police:
On November 11, 2024, a suspect was arrested in connection with a shooting incident on August 4, 2023, in Woodbridge, where the suspect fired multiple rounds at a vehicle. The suspect was charged with shooting into an unoccupied vehicle and reckless handling of a firearm, and is being held pending a court date.
Press Release from Prince William Police:
Prince William County officials celebrated a milestone today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new six-level parking garage in Woodbridge.
Potomac Mills has announced a major renovation to its Food Pavilion, timed with the mall’s upcoming 40th anniversary in 2025. The remodel, set to begin this winter and expected to be completed by early 2025, will transform the dining space with a modernized look, new seating options, energy-efficient lighting, and enhanced areas for socializing, all designed to elevate visitors' experience.
![[Photos courtesy of Katie Combs]](https://www.potomaclocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/pwcpd-substation-2-1260x840.jpeg){kind=link}
