Four D.C. teenagers were arrested after a series of overnight break-ins at businesses in Pentagon City yesterday (Tuesday).
They’re accused of hitting a total of at least five businesses, stealing cash and electronics before being arrested while trespassing inside an apartment building on S. Eads Street, according to a press release from the Arlington County Police Department.
Surveillance footage obtained by WUSA 9 shows teenagers wearing masks handling a cash register at Epic Smokehouse around 12:45 a.m.
“It feels heavy, like there’s money inside of it,” a girl can be heard saying.
Footage also shows the teens — three boys and a girl — counting cash before leaving. A manager told WUSA 9 that the suspects smashed the register and stole $200.
The suspects reportedly carried out similar crimes at a restaurant, a salon and a retail store in the same area, ACPD said. A medical office on S. Hayes Street also reported a break-in and stolen electronics.
Glass doors were broken at Chevys Fresh Mex and Bubbles Salon, across the street from the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, WJLA reported.
Police were dispatched around 1:20 a.m.
All four suspects have been charged with five counts of burglary and five counts of conspiracy. One of them was reportedly found in possession of stolen electronics and charged with grand larceny.
The complete ACPD press release is below.
The Arlington County Police Department has arrested and charged four teenage juveniles, three males and one female, following a commercial burglary series in Pentagon City. The juveniles, all from Washington DC, are charged with Burglary (x5) and Conspiracy (x5). Additionally, one suspect was found to be in possession of stolen electronics and is charged with Grand Larceny.
At approximately 1:20 a.m. on December 30, police were dispatched to the 1200 block of S. Hayes Street for the report of a possible breaking and entering. Upon arrival, it was determined the suspects forced entry into a closed restaurant and stole cash from the register before fleeing the scene. During the course of the investigation, officers determined three additional closed businesses had been broken into and cash stolen from a restaurant in the 1300 block of S. Fern Street, a salon in the 1200 block of S. Hayes Street and a retail store in the 1400 block of S. Fern Street. Additionally, a medical office in the 1400 block of S. Hayes Street was entered and electronics were stolen.
Officers located the juvenile suspects trespassing inside a residential building in the 1600 block of S. Eads Street and took them into custody.
This remains an active investigation and anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s tip line at 703-228-4180 or [email protected]. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
