Crime Report: Armed Robbery Goes Wrong When Gun Goes Off

Two would-be robbers were foiled when they accidentally fired a gunshot during their robbery attempt, according to Arlington County Police.

The alleged incident happened around 11 p.m. last Thursday, on the 1900 block of N. Culpeper Street in the Halls Hill neighborhood.

Police say two men dressed in all black tried to rob a man who was standing outside of his residence. When the man refused to give them money, one of the suspects pistol whipped him, but accidentally fired a shot in the process. That prompted the suspects to flee the scene empty-handed.

No one was hurt and nothing was damaged by the shot, but the victim suffered a laceration on his head from being struck with the gun, according to police. The suspects remain at large.

More from this week’s Arlington County Police Department crime report:

ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY, 2019-01240225, 1900 block of N. Culpepper Street. At approximately 10:58 p.m. on January 24, police were dispatched to the report of shots fired. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim was outside of his residence when he was approached by two male suspects. One suspect brandished a firearm and demanded money. When the victim declined, he was struck in the head with the firearm, causing a laceration that required medical treatment. Simultaneously, this action resulted in the discharge of the firearm. The suspects fled on foot prior to police arrival. No additional damage or injuries were reported as a result of the discharge of the firearm. Arriving officers canvased the area and a K9 track was initiated with negative results. The suspects are described as two black males, approximately 6’0″-6’1″, approximately 30-40 years old, wearing black pants, black hooded sweatshirts, black hats and black sneakers. The investigation is ongoing.

This week, police responded to a store on the 4700 block of Columbia Pike for a report of a man filming women in a dressing room. The only clothing store on that block is the Goodwill retail store.

More from ACPD:

PEEPING, 2019-01280189, 4700 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 7:19 p.m. on January 28, police were dispatched to the report of a peeper. Upon arrival, it was determined that the female victims were inside the dressing room at a business when they observed a male suspect holding a cell phone over the dressing room wall and allegedly taking photos. The victims confronted the suspect and informed him they were calling police, which prompted him to flee the business prior to police arrival. The suspect is described as a tall, thin black male, approximately 5’11”-6’0″, with dreadlocks, a black beard, chipped teeth with a gap in the center, wearing a long black jacket, light khaki pants, white headphones, and black and white sneakers. The investigation is ongoing.

Other notable items from this week’s crime report, including some we’ve already reported, are below.

BURGLARY, 2019-01290196, 1600 block of S. Eads Street. At approximately 3:27 p.m. on January 29, police were dispatched to the late report of a burglary. Upon arrival, it was determined that between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on January 28, an unknown suspect gained entry to a residence and stole items of value. There are no suspect(s) descriptions. The investigation is ongoing.

UNLAWFUL ENTRY (late), 2019-01280248, 1900 block of S. Arlington Ridge Road. At approximately 11:46 p.m. on January 28, police were dispatched to the report of an attempted breaking and entering. Upon arrival, it was determined that at some point during the day prior to 8:00 p.m., an unknown suspect(s) gained entry to a residence. Nothing was reported missing. There is no suspect(s) description. The investigation is ongoing.

ROBBERY, 2019-01250003, 200 block of N. Thomas Street. At approximately 12:19 a.m. on January 25, police were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival it was determined that the victim was looking at his cell phone when he was approached by two unknown suspects. One suspect asked the victim for change and when he advised he did not have any, he was assaulted by the suspects. Following the assault, one suspect brandished a knife, demanded the victim’s cell phone and destroyed it before fleeing the scene on foot. The victim was transported to an area hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries. The suspects are described as two black males in their 20’s, ranging in height from 5’10” to 6′. They were wearing dark clothing at the time of the incident. The investigation is ongoing.

LARCENY FROM AUTO (series), 2019-01250027/2019-01250029, 1200 block of S. Scott Street/1200 block of S. Courthouse Road. Between 10:30 p.m. on January 24 and 4:11 a.m. on January 25, the tires and rims were stolen off of two vehicles in the area. There is no suspect(s) description. The investigation is ongoing.

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES, 2019-01260261, 500 block of 12th Street S. At approximately 9:13 p.m. on January 26, police were dispatched to the report of a possible dispute inside a residence. Arriving officers restricted access to the floor and additional police units were requested to assist with the investigation. Attempts to contact the occupants were unsuccessful and the incident was cleared without arrest.

MALICIOUS WOUNDING BY CAUSTIC AGENT, 2019-01240124, 1800 block of Crystal Drive. At approximately 1:45 p.m. on January 24, police were dispatched to the late report of an assault. Upon arrival, it was determined that a building employee drank from her water bottle, which resulted in her feeling a burning sensation in her chest. She smelled the contents of the water bottle, believed it to have been filled with bleach while it was left unattended and subsequently dumped the remaining liquid prior to police arrival. There is no suspect description. The investigation is ongoing.