ARLINGTON, Va. – A juvenile suspect is facing charges of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, Burglary, Eluding, and Motor Vehicle Theft following a series of property-related crimes that occurred on the morning of Saturday, February 20, 2021.
At approximately 5:07 a.m., police were dispatched to the report of a vehicle tampering in the 2000 block of N. Cameron Street. The reporting party advised they had observed four suspects associated with a Chevrolet Camaro trying door handles of parked vehicles in the area. A responding officer located the suspect vehicle, with two other vehicles following closely behind and attempted a traffic stop. The drivers disregarded the officer’s signal and fled the scene at a high rate of speed. Additional officers attempted to stop the vehicles on N. Culpeper Street where the driver of a sedan with Maryland temporary tags accelerated towards them, attempted to strike an officer who was on foot, and crashed into a police cruiser. No officers were injured.
The suspects fled the area onto Lee Highway where officers located the vehicles and initiated a pursuit. The Chevrolet Camaro crashed into the median in the 2400 block of Washington Boulevard and, following a brief foot pursuit, the driver was taken into custody. The third involved vehicle, a black Mercedes, was located unoccupied in the 100 block of N. Edgewood Street. A perimeter was established and officers, with aerial support from the United States Park Police, conducted an extensive search for the driver with negative results.
The investigation revealed the Chevrolet Camaro had been stolen earlier in the morning from the 900 block of N. Livingston Street. An additional vehicle on N. Livingston Street had been entered, rummaged through and cash was stolen. The Mercedes was determined to be stolen from the 1800 block of N. Cameron Street. Upon speaking with the victim, it was learned that the suspects had entered a separate unlocked vehicle, located a garage door opener and made entry into their residence from the garage. Once inside, the suspects stole a purse containing keys to the Mercedes and fled the scene in the vehicle before being located by officers.
This incident is being investigated as related to a similar residential burglary reported on February 19. At approximately 9:59 a.m., police were dispatched to the 2300 block of N. Quebec Street for the report of a burglary just discovered. Upon arrival, it was determined that at approximately 5:00 a.m., the suspects gained entry to the residence from an open garage door. Once inside, the suspects stole wallets, cash and vehicle keys. The suspects then used the vehicle keys to flee the scene in the victim’s 2021 white Mercedes.
The investigation into these incidents and the identities of the involved parties is ongoing. Anyone with information or video surveillance that may assist with the investigation is asked to contact Detective D. Johnson at 703-228-4193 or Djohns3@arlingtonva.us or Detective S. Whalin at 703-228-4159 or Swhalin@arlingtonva.us. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
Residential Burglary Tips and Crime Prevention Measures
Consider these tips to help keep you and your property safe and secure:
- Ensure all doors, windows and skylights are properly secured.
- Install deadbolt locks on external doors. Engage both the knob and deadbolt locks overnight and each time you leave your home.
- Keep garage doors closed and locked, even when home. If you have an attached garage, lock the door into the house.
- Never hide spare keys around your property. Instead, leave a spare key with someone you trust.
- Consider exterior lights, security cameras and alarm systems and activate them overnight.
If you are the victim of a residential burglary:
- Call the Emergency Communications Center at 703-558-2222 or 9-1-1 immediately.
- If you locate signs of forced entry, don’t enter your residence.
- While awaiting the arrival of officers, don’t touch anything or allow anyone to enter. This preserves evidence for crime scene agents.
- Assist police by compiling a list of serial numbers and/or exact descriptions of stolen property to increase the chance of property recovery.