Man With Knife Arrested Following Dispute Over Cigarettes, Police Say

ARLINGTON, VA — A 41-year-old man was arrested Saturday after he threatened two woman with a knife for refusing to buy him cigarettes at a Rosslyn-area business, according to authorities.

Officers responded shortly before 3 p.m. for the report of a suspect with a weapon at a business in the 1800 block of Wilson Boulevard.

Police determined that a man approached two women outside the business and asked them to purchase cigarettes for him, according to the incident report. When the two women refused, the man pulled out a knife.

"The suspect followed the victims inside the store, encountered a third victim, displayed a knife, collected merchandise and subsequently exited the business without payment," according to police. "No injuries were reported."

The suspect, identified as Donte Smith of an undetermined address, was arrested at the scene and a knife was recovered, police say. Smith was charged with three counts of robbery by force. He was then held without bond.

Smith was scheduled to be arraigned Monday morning in Arlington General District Court and has a bond hearing set for 9 a.m., on Tuesday, according to court records. A preliminary hearing was set for 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 29, 2026. He remains in custody.

Each of the robbery by force charges are Class 5 felonies and carry a potential sentence one to 10 years in prison, up to 12 months in jail, or a $2,500 fine if Smith is convicted, under the Code of Virginia.