Suspect In VA Strong-Arm Robbery Pushed An Employee Into Counter During His Escape

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington County Police are investigating a robbery that occurred midday on Tuesday at a business in the Ballston area, according to authorities.

Officers responded around 12:58 p.m. for the late report of a robbery by force at a business in the 4200 block of Fairfax Drive, according to the incident report. They determined that a man had entered the business about 45 minutes earlier and tried to buy merchandise at the counter. When his payment was declined, he leapt over the counter and grabbed cartons of cigarettes.

An employee confronted the man as he was trying to leave, but the suspect pushed another employee into the display case, causing property damage, according to police. The suspect then fled the scene on foot with the merchandise he had stolen. No injuries were reported.

Police described the suspect as a heavy-set Black man, who stood 5-foot-6 and was 30-32 years old. He was wearing a gray sweater, black pants and a backpack.