Were told they were free of zika virus. Months later they find out the test results were wrong. How many more could be affected. And how do muggers pick their targets . Well, it didnt matter whether it was a man or woman. The news 4 eye team goes behind bars to get some answers. Good evening, first up tonight, more fall grout the controversy involving president Trumps National security adviser. The man asked to replace general Michael Flynn has turned down the job. It comes on the heels of a bizarre president ial News Conference today. Chris lawrence gets us caught up on the latest from the live desk. Chris . Reporter Robert Harward says the decision came down to his personal life, not politics. After 40 years in the military, the former that i sri seal says he didnt want to dive back into that seal. Harward is a retired vice admiral who served on president george w. Bushs National Security council. Tonight the white house says harvard couldnt overcome the family and financial concerns associated with leading that job and moving back to d. C. So President Trump misses out on his first plachoice to replace Michael Flynn. He made it clear he had no problem with Michael Flynn talking with the russians while president obama was still in office office. Mike was doing his job. He was calling countries and his counterparts so it would having okay with me if he did it. I would have directed them to do it if i thought he wasnt doing it. I didnt direct him but i would have directed him. Thats his job. The president has another retired general as acting National Security adviser and keith kellog is in the running to get the permanent job. At the live desk, im chris lawrence. Le the u. S. Senate floor. Lawmakers in the Upper Chamber are pulling together another all nighter, this time the debate is over scott pruitt, the choice for epa administrator. Republicans s democrats say the he has been overly critical of environmental policies. Susan collins, republican from maine, will vote genls him but hes expected to be confirmed. A series of errors leads to shocking news for hundreds of people tested for the see a virus. Between july and december last year, more than 400 people were tested for zika virus. Almost 300 of them pregnant women. Late last year, Health Officials discovered the test results were flawed now all of the results have been sent back to the cdc for came back so far, two turned out to be pregnant women who were, in fact, positive for zika and there could be more. Assuming there may be some in there and we are also hope it feel majority of those will continue to be retesting as being negative. This isnt the first time problems have come up with the d. C. Department of forensic sciences. Its former director resigned two years ago after report he is ignored warnings of faulty dna testing. A new warning tonight about a string of armed robberies in our area that have a lot in common. Not only where but when they happen and who they target. News 4s Jackie Bentsen is live with that story. Jackie . Reporter jim, all of the victims are latino men who were robbed as they were leaving their homes very early the morning to get to work eight street robberies since middecember. Police believe the crimes are the work of the same man. No vehicle at all. We just have a black male wearing all black clothing he has a hood covering his head and a black semiautomatic handgun. Reporter the robber has a very specific stalking ground, a section of hyattsville border bid Queens Chapel road. He maintains very specific hours, according to police. We noticed that the crimes are being committed between 4 00 a. M. And 6 00 a. M. Monday through friday, more frequently on friday. Many like this man we spoke to are unaware of the crime. From now on ill be watching who is behind me, whos in the front of me, who is on the side because its terrible. Police are trying to get the word out to the community. They believe some victims are reluctant to come forward. Live in hyattsville, jaingky bentsen, news 4. A trail of shell casings could lead police to the shooter who unloaded on a car just before rush hour this afternoon. That kia had 13 bullet holes. Three people were hit and ended up in the hospital but they are expected to be okay. This unfolded at 3 00 p. M. At kennelworth avenue and carried on to Columbia Park road. Eastbound route 50 was closed for nearly five hours this evening. Police are trying to figure out who fired into that car and why. Tonight a house fire in arlington is blamed on another day of strong winds. The homeowners here told firefighters they had a fire pit going on in the backyard then the winds kicked up sending flames toward the house and catching the siding on fire. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Those winds dying down now but folks weve still got another cold night out there. And doug were ready for that weekend warmup youve been telling us is coming. Its coming in a very big way. Temperatures today well average in the city we hit 42 degrees. Look at the numbers across the eastern portion of the United States and you can sigh whats happening, look at the cold air in the east. Roanoke 45. Pittsburgh 28. 35 in new york. But look whats coming. 71 in st. Louis that warmer air will be moving in our direction storm. Tomorrow the 50s but by the weekend the 60s. A chilly night tonight, a nice tomorrow afternoon much warmer for the weekend and the warmth extends into next week. Ill show you how long it extends and just how warm we get. See you back here at 11 18. All right, doug. Thank you. Just in the last hour firefighters in baltimore were able to knock down a massive fire here in a vacant warehouse. Flames were shooting out of the roof at one point in baltimores wood bu woodbury neighborhood. It forced emergency officials to under control. No one was hurt. A warning tonight about the growing influence of gangs in our area after the murder of a 15yearold girl Alexandra Reyes disappeared two months ago, her body was found saturday. Police say her killers are gang members, likely the same gang members connected to the recent disappearance of several teen girls. Federal and local investigators sounded the alarm about the increased Gang Activity and say this stretches beyond our region. The fbi has partnered with other federal agencies to include state department to develop a Transnational Gang Task no, sir el salvador. A report says ms13 is recruiting middle schoolers and young adults. The district was one of several cities across the country to participate in the day without immigrants protests. Their importance to americas economy and way of life. The boycott was directed at President Trumps immigration crackdown. The Labor Department says there are nearly 26 million foreignborn workers in the u. S. Virginia Governor Terry mcauliffe is demanding answers after witnesses told news 4 that i. C. E. Arrested several men near a church hypothermia shelter in fairfax county. Governor mcauliffe wrote to Homeland Security secretary john kelly and voiced his concern i. C. E. Agents are detaining people without cause for specific allegations of criminal activity. I. C. E. Policy requires agents to avoid arresting people at places of worship. A spokesman told us the arrests were made across the street from the church. Tonight the Prince Georges County police chief is defending his departments culture as two of his officers face indictment for misconduct. Both aren suspended. News 4s shomari stone explains why they were charged. Today a Prince Georges County grand jury indicted two county Police Officers for separate incidents. Reporter Prince Georges CountyCorporal George merkel, a 14year veteran, is charged with misconduct in office and Second Degree assault. Internal Affairs Investigators say hes accused of striking a homeless woman in lanham when he responded to a call last september. The state Attorneys Office says two officers reported what happened. During the course of asking her to move on from where she was, the assault occurred, it was witnessed by two other councount y county officers. A second officer, Corporal William diaz, is a nineyear veteran indicted in a separate incident. Police say diaz told a prostitute when a special unit was going to be in the area to protect her from being arrested. He was part of the task force that investigated prosecutors also say he had a relationship with the prostitute while on duty last february and march. Authorities suspended both Officers Police powers. We are not tolerating any wrongdoing, whether its our officers or whether its a member of the public. We treat them both the same, this is evidence. Reporter the police chief tells us hes proud of the officers who reported what happened and hes pleased with the culture of accountability in the department. In Prince Georges County, shomari stone, news 4. Next at 11 00, what would make a mugger target you . The news 4 eye team goes looking for answers. I wouldnt suggest it at all. I. That could protect you no matter where you live. Clearing up confusing food labels. A change that could reduce waste and save you ney. Mo creating a cleaner environment by using cleaner Energy Sources weve reduced Carbon Emissions by nearly 25 , which is the equivalent of taking close to two million cars off the road. Cleaner air and cleaner water. Its good for all of us. Dominion. Depend on us for more than energy. To wanight inside the mind a mugger, who are the targets and should you fight back . Scott mcfarland and the news 4 eye team on what you need to know to stay alive directly from those behind bars. Reporter in a busy its easy to blend in. I always talk to everyone. Reporter heidi case wants to be safe. Im paying attention, im not afraid. Reporter but there was one morning this disability advocate says she didnt have her guard up as she headed to a meeting in d. C. We were waiting for the elevator and he suddenly just reached out and snatched. Reporter shocked when the man beside her at a metro elevator turned into a mugger. And i started screaming no, no. And i was trying to hi in seconds he was gone with her fanny pack, wallet and drivers license. I was very surprised. My favorite target was anyone alone. Anyone who was alone. It didnt matter whether it was a man or woman. Reporter david solano is a serial mugger doing a 25 to life prison sentence. Hes one of the inmates who responded to an eye team survey sent to convicted robbers by our News Partners in new york. Ive done over 100. Reporter according to the survey, for many muggers its not a onetime deal with 39 saying theyve committed more than 20 robberies when it comes to the target, more than half said gender didnt matter, 46 didnt care about age. What did they look for . Anyone flashy. 45 said nice clothes or jewelry first caught their attention. If they wore, like, shaggy clothes and gym clothes or bag i wouldnt bother. Reporter a third said theyd look for those who might not fight back. One out of four said they or drunk. Most muggers said they attacked mainly inside or outside a building, 27 preferred the subway. If i was in the subway i would be on the plat fwoforms cr to the tunnels. That would be my get away. Reporter thats why solano said its safer to stand in the middle of the plat norm a crowd. Were all surrounded by surveillance cameras in the city but the muggers surveyed by the eye team says that gives people a false sense of security. Nearly three quarters of the muggers said they dont mind being caught on camera, they just hide their faces. And sobering stats to keep in mind if youre a victim. 70 of the muggers said they carried a weapon, at least sometimes. With 69 saying they would get physical if the victim fought back. I wouldnt suggest it at all. If a person is really out to get the money, theyre liable to do anything. Ive had men try to fight back they said dont fight back, its only your wallet. Reporter thats the advice heidi received but she took a selfdefense class after being robbed . Its being aware of whats around you. Reporter now always noticing those next to her, relying on her instincts in a city where you never know who is around the corner. News 4, eye team. What motivated muggers to attack . More than half of those who responded said they did it to support a habit. Others said they did it for the adrenaline rush. To read more on this survey, visit our nbc washington app and tap investigations. Sell by, best by, enjoy by. 15 to 20 variations of that message appear on food labels. Most of us arent clear what these labels are trying to tell us now new language to cut through the confusion is coming today. Two of the nations Food Industry leaders approved t used by will describe product quality before it begins to diminish but it doesnt mean its unsafe after the date. Think cookies, crackers, pasta. Use by will apply to highly perishable products like uncooked meat to tell us when its no longer safe to eat as for milk and yogurt, companies will decide which label is best. Because there are so many different phrases and consumers are confused, consumers might be throwing food away when its perfectly good or safe to eat. 30 to 40 of all food is wasted in the u. S. The new simplified food labels should be in widespread use by the summer of 2018. That will help. It is confusing to figure that stuff out. And enjoy by . How do they know im going to enjoy it . I may hate. It thats a good question. How do you know were going to enjoy the weekend coming up . A lot of people are wishing for snow but if youre not going to get snow, at least be in the 60s. Were looking at nice weather that everyone can enjoy. Out there right now, yeah, not the best time to be outside. Cold. 33 degrees, winds out of the ne northwest at 10 miles per hour. 27 the current temperature right now in gaithersburg. Temperatures down to 22 in culpepper, 17 in stanton, virginia, 25 in winchester. Add in the wind, the windchill goes down to the 20. It will be a cold start to the day but not that bad. No rain or snow. Today we saw snow showers. We have some making their way down from the great lakes again in through parts of ohio but these wont come our way what will is continued cold. Look at this. 19 in pittsburgh, 15 in elkins. So the cold air is trapped parts of the northeast but, but, it will be moving out quickly a trough of low pressure moving out and behind it were getting warm. Denver was 57 degrees. Theyll hit records in chicago, and that warm air moves our way in time for the weekend. Highs in the 60s. Warmer air moving back into the 60s and mild into next week. We may see one or two cooler days but above average the entire tenday forecast. 50 for tomorrow, partly cloudy and warmer. Nice afternoon. It will be chilly at the bus stop. 30 inside the beltway but 20s in cooler suburbs. 42 by noon and 50 by 4 00. A nice afternoon and by tomorrow night if youre heading out it will be cool but not as cold as tonight. Look at these numbers, 66 saturday. We could see sprinkles overnight saturday night into morning sunshine gets us back to 65. 61 on president s day so president s day weekend looking great. The cool day could be tuesday. 56 right now but it could be a little cooler but we rebound into the 60s. Look at that. 66 thursday. 68 degrees on friday and i would not be surprised, guys to see a couple 70s this weekend and a little for 307s next weekend. We could be seeing the warmest february ever. One of the warmest februaries ever. Right now were close if we were to end right now. If we cant have a know storm, thats second best. I agree. Coming up, the wizards hit the brakes hotter than ever. Sports up next but first, heres jimmy fallon. Guys, robert erwin is here and he brought some animals plus we have jessica biel, music from another big win for the wizards and a welldeserved break, too. When they were 28, did you think wed be talking about the thirdbest name the eastern conference . No way. Tell me the truth. No way. I didnt think so. After tonight the team gets a week off so its easy to look past the pacers, start thinking about vacation but not this tame. The wizards did no such thing. They took care of business in a big way and hit the allstar brake in a four game winning streak and one of the hottest teams in the nba. John wall all smiles 48 minutes to the break. Fans all smiles. Wall takes out otto porter, jr. , knocks it down. Six 3s on the night for otto. Wizards back up a bakers dozen. Wall finds porter again, baseline, contact, gets the circuit, shot to go. Look at this. Great night for porter. Game high 25, wy wizards up 10 the half. On the drive, the bucket and the foul, 12 assists for wall, ninth straight doubledouble then giving the young wizards fan the jersey on his back. We wanted to finish the first half strong. Now its time to enjoy the break, come back recharged and get ready for the second half of the subpoena. Wie have a you have to schedule. Im just having break in their new digs in West Palm Beach, florida. One notable absence, ace and cy young award winner max scherzer will be taking it easy as he recovers from a fracture on the knuckle of his right ring finger. Something he and dusty baker hope wont keep him from missing opening day. Most of my day to day life things i dont experience pain. Just throwing a baseball is the one thing that hurts which is the only thing i dont want to experience pain with. I have all the pain in my day to day life and be fine on the mound. Thats not pleasant news but at least theyre on top of it, i know max is a worker. Hes been injured the last quarter mile, it was the longest mile. Carol maloney is heading down nationals new facility in West Palm Beach tomorrow. Shell have you covered for spring trainin you can follow her on twitter and our Sports Department for all the latest from spring training. From florida to the ice, wcac High School Hockey championship. Second period, the loose puck, top shelf, 10 lead 20 in the third before oconnell storms back. Jake smith puts it home, cuts the lead to 21. Oconnell pulls their goalie late but they pressure too much. Colin mercer with the open net goal. The first ever championship with a 31 win. They play for the midatlantic press title next best cracked pepper sauce barbeque trophies most ribs eaten while calf roping. Yep. Greatness deserves recognition. You got any trophies, cowboy . Well, theres this one. Best insurance mobile app . Yep, three years in a row. Well ill be does that thing just follow you around . Like a little puppy. The awardwinning geico app. Download it today. And thats it for us, thanks for having us in for news. The tonight show is next. See you tomorrow. Good night. Welcome, welcome. Thank me. [ cheers and applause ] thank me. Thank me. And buckle up. Because im coming in hot [ light laughter ] this is going to be a crazy one. Daddy came to play. [ light laughter ] first of all, youre all fake news. I hate you all very much, and thank you for being