22-Year-Old Man Accused Of Robbing Gun Store In Arlington: Police

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington County police arrested a man Thursday in connection with the robbery of a gun store on Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon.

Samai Gayle, 22, of an unknown address, was arrested and charged with robbery and prohibition against wearing a mask in certain places, according to the Arlington County Police Department. He has held without bond.

Shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, police were dispatched to the 2600 block of Wilson Boulevard for the report of an armed robbery. Police determined the suspect entered the business wearing a ski mask and was asked by store employees to remove it, but the suspect did not comply with their requests.

The suspect then selected a firearm and ammunition and began to exit the store, according to police. Employees tried to stop him, but the suspect attempted to strike one of the employees before fleeing the store with the stolen items, police said.

ARLnow reported Friday that the location on Wilson Boulevard corresponds with the address of the Nova Armory gun store.

The suspect then boarded a Metrobus, but police officers were able to stop the bus. Police found the suspect on board and took him into custody, according to police. During a search of his belongings, officers recovered the stolen firearm and ammunition, police said.