Thieves have been increasingly targeting the Ballston area Target store, making it a frequent destination for police dispatches lately.
Arlington crime reports for July so far contain some 20 theft offenses for the 700 block of N. Glebe Road, where the store is located. The police department identifies crimes by block number and generally does not identify which specific businesses were the victim of crimes.
This year, from January 1-July 15, theft offenses on that block — including larceny and robbery, but mostly shoplifting — are up nearly 50% year over year. According to stats provided by Arlington County police, there were 92 such thefts so far this year compared to 63 in 2023.
“The Arlington County Police Department is committed to working in partnership with the business community to address crime and quality of life concerns,” police spokeswoman Ashley Savage told ARLnow. “Officers continue to share crime prevention tips and educational information with the business community while investigating reported incidents of theft.”
The most recent incident documented in an ACPD crime report happened late Tuesday afternoon. Security personnel were hurt after three teens stealing merchandise pushed them over while making a getaway, according to police.
ROBBERY, 2024-07160164, 700 block of N. Glebe Road. At approximately 4:38 p.m. on July 16, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery by force. Upon arrival, it was determined the three juvenile male suspects entered the business and allegedly concealed merchandise before they were confronted by loss prevention personnel. One suspect then pushed loss prevention personnel, causing them to fall to the ground, before the suspects exited the store without payment. Loss prevention personnel sustained minor injuries and did not require medical attention. A lookout for the suspects was broadcast and a responding officer observed three individuals matching the descriptions of the suspects and gave them commands to stop. Two suspects initially ran from the officer but subsequently complied with commands and were taken into custody in the 4100 block of 4th Street N. The third suspect was not located and is described as a juvenile Hispanic male wearing a yellow shirt and black shorts. Petitions are pending for the two juvenile male suspects for Robbery. The investigation is ongoing.
Late last month another robbery resulted in the suspect pushing security out of the way while fleeing.
ROBBERY, 2024-06300135, 700 block of N. Glebe Road. At approximately 6:02 p.m. on June 30, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery by force. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect entered the business, concealed merchandise and attempted to leave without payment when he was confronted by loss prevention personnel. The suspect pushed loss prevention personnel before exiting the store and fleeing the scene on foot. No injuries were reported. Responding officers canvassed the area for the suspect yielding negative results. The suspect is described as a heavy-build Black male wearing a dark short-sleeved shirt, gray pants, gray shoes and a black backpack. The investigation is ongoing.
And, as previously reported, a robbery earlier in June led to a police chase of the bicycle-riding suspect. The chase ended with an arrest along the Four Mile Run Trail.
The smaller-format Target store opened at 740 N. Glebe Road, on the ground floor of a new apartment building, in August 2020.
