Elias Abuelazam, the man suspected in a series of stabbing attacks across three states, was arrested during an Arlington traffic stop last week, but then let go.

Detective Crystal Nosal, an Arlington County police spokeswoman, said Abuelazam was pulled over for a traffic stop at 1:15 a.m. on Aug. 5, a few hours before one of the Leesburg assaults. He was pulled over for failing to obey a highway sign.