A suspect is accused of cutting a police officer with the officer’s own knife yesterday (Thursday) following a reported theft in Pentagon City.
The incident occurred around 2:45 p.m. in the 900 block of Army Navy Drive, near the Westpost at National Landing shopping center.
Police responded to the area after a female suspect was reported to have altered price tags to purchase merchandise at incorrect amounts, according to Arlington County Police Department’s latest crime report.
The suspect then attempted to flee, ignoring commands to stop from both a store employee and a responding officer, according to police. She also tried to enter a vehicle driven by a male suspect, the incident summary says.
As the officer attempted to detain the first suspect, she reportedly tried to grab the officer’s gun before successfully taking possession of her knife.
The officer regained control of the knife but suffered a hand laceration in the process, according to the report and scanner traffic. She was able to take the suspect into custody with the assistance of other responding officers.
The incident was partially caught on camera and posted to social media by local public safety watcher Dave Statter.
The suspect faces eight charges, including disarming and attempted disarming of a law enforcement officer, as well as one count of assaulting a police officer.
More, below, from ACPD.
ASSAULT ON POLICE, 2024-10030128, 900 block of Army Navy Drive. At approximately 2:36 p.m. on October 3, police were dispatched to the report of a larceny in progress. Upon arrival, it was determined loss prevention personnel attempted to stop the female suspect after she allegedly altered price tags and purchased merchandise at incorrect amounts. The suspect ignored loss prevention personnel, and a responding officer observed the suspect and issued commands for her to stop. The suspect was noncompliant and continued to walk away. As the officer attempted to detain the suspect, she grabbed the officer before fleeing the scene on foot and attempted to enter a vehicle driven by the male suspect. The officer again attempted to detain the female suspect and a struggle ensued during which the suspect attempted to grab the officer’s firearm and took possession of the officer’s knife from their vest. The officer regained control of the knife, suffering a laceration in the process, and with the assistance of additional responding officers, took the female suspect into custody. While in custody, the female suspect provided officers with false personal identification information and was determined to be in possession of a burglarious tool. Medics responded and treated the officer and female suspect for minor injuries. The male suspect remained on scene, became disorderly and was taken into custody. During a search incident to arrest, stolen merchandise and suspected narcotics were recovered. [Suspect 1], of Washington, DC was arrested and charged with Assault on Police, Disarming a Law Enforcement Officer: Impact Weapon, Attempted Disarming a Law Enforcement Officer: Firearm, Obstruction of Justice, Shoplifting, Shoplifting: Altering Price, Possession of Burglarious Tools and Providing False Identity to a Law Enforcement Officer. [Suspect 2], of Washington, DC was arrested and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Shoplifting and Public Intoxication.
