A group of juvenile suspects is facing an array of charges following a reported armed robbery in Pentagon City.
The incident happened around 4:45 p.m. on Easter Sunday in the area of the Westpost shopping center. Police say a teen girl had just parked when two girls from a group of seven juvenile suspects stole her keys, leading to a confrontation in which the suspects threatened the victim with pepper spray and what turned out to be an airsoft gun.
Officers responded to the scene and the suspects were taken into custody near the Pentagon City Metro station “following multiple foot pursuits.”
More, below, from an Arlington County Police Department crime report.
ROBBERY, 2024-03310129, 1100 block of S. Joyce Street. At approximately 4:49 p.m. on March 31, police were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, it was determined the juvenile female victim was walking away from her parked vehicle when she observed a group of approximately seven juvenile suspects in the area. Two juvenile female suspects then approached the victim and allegedly stole her car keys before the group dispersed and ran from the scene. The victim proceeded to run after the suspects who threatened her with pepper spray. The victim then attempted to call police during which one juvenile male suspect brandished what appeared to be a firearm at the victim, stole her cellphone and fled the area. Responding officers located the suspects and following multiple foot pursuits, they were detained in the area of the Pentagon City Metro. One suspect sustained minor injuries and was treated and released on scene by medics. During the course of the investigation, an airsoft gun was recovered. Various petitions were obtained for the seven juvenile suspects including the offenses of Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, Prevent Emergency Call to Police and Attempted Malicious Wounding by a Caustic Agent.
The crime report also details a pair of sexual battery incidents from Friday and Saturday, in Courthouse and the Arlington Forest neighborhood, respectively.
SEXUAL BATTERY, 2024-03290010, 2100 block of Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 12:18 a.m. on March 29, police responded to the police station for the report of an assault just occurred. It was determined the female victim was in the Courthouse Metro when the male suspect approached her from behind, engaged her in conversation and touched her buttocks before leaving the scene on foot. Responding officers canvassed the area for the suspect yielding negative results. The suspect is described as a Black male in his 30’s, approximately 5’8”-5’10”, wearing a dark-colored hoodie. The investigation is ongoing.
SEXUAL BATTERY (late), 2024-03300219, Arlington Boulevard at N. Park Drive. At approximately 8:30 p.m. on March 30, an officer working patrol was flagged down by the victim who reported a late assault. It was determined at approximately 7:45 p.m., the female victim was in the area when the male suspect approached her and engaged her in conversation. The suspect then touched the victim inappropriately, at which time the [victim] yelled and began to walk away. The suspect then grabbed the victim during which she screamed and was able to run from the area. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his 30’s or 40’s, approximately 5’6”, wearing tan pants. The investigation is ongoing.
Another ACPD crime report, meanwhile, includes an incident from Saturday evening in which a fight between two men in Ballston led to an officer being assaulted while taking a suspect into custody near the Metro station.
ASSAULT ON POLICE, 2024-03300163, N. Stuart Street at Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 5:08 p.m. on March 30, police were dispatched to the report of an assault. Upon arrival, an officer observed the male suspect and male victim, who are acquaintances, involved in a physical altercation. The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital. During the course of the investigation, additional responding officers located the suspect in the area of the Ballston Metro and took him into custody. While in custody, the suspect was noncompliant, became aggressive, assaulted a police officer and made threats. [The suspect] 27, of Falls Church, Va., was arrested and charged with Assault on Police, Malicious Wounding and Obstruction of Justice (x3).