DC Men Charged In Separate Incidents Over New Year's Weekend: Police

ARLINGTON, VA — Two men from Washington, D.C., were charged in connection with separate incidents at businesses in Arlington over the New Year’s weekend, according to the Arlington County Police Department.

Zephaniah Rivers, 20, of D.C., was arrested and charged with robbery on Friday for an incident in the Courthouse area of Arlington. He was held without bond, police said.

Shortly after 3:30 p.m. on Friday, police were dispatched to the 2000 block of Clarendon Boulevard for the report of a larceny. Officers found Rivers in the Courthouse Metro and took him into custody without incident.

The police investigation determined Rivers was inside a business when an employee saw him concealing merchandise in his clothing, police said. Rivers then tried to leave the store with the unpaid merchandise, according to police. The employee confronted him and attempted to prevent him from leaving. Rivers verbally threatened the employee and pushed him before fleeing the scene on foot, police said.

In the other incident, police were dispatched to the area of Fashion Centre at Pentagon City at about 9:20 p.m. on Saturday for the report of a destruction of property. Police determined the male suspect attempted to force entry into a business by smashing a window and fled the scene on foot prior to the arrival of police.

On New Year’s Day, about 12:02 p.m., police were dispatched to the report of a larceny in progress at the same business. Upon arrival, it was determined a male suspect matching the suspect description of the previous incident was seen concealing merchandise. Officers found the suspect and took him into custody without incident, Arlington police said.

The suspect, Tajh Robinson, 32, of Washington, D.C., was arrested and charged with destruction of property and shoplifting.