Robbery By Force In Westmont Lands Man In Jail: Police

ARLINGTON, VA — A 32-year-old man is facing multple charges of assault and battery and obstruction of justice, in connection to a robbery that occurred Saturday afternoon in Westmont, according to police

Arlington County police officers responded around 1:30 p.m. to the intersection of South Glebe Road and Columbia Pike for the report of a robbery, according to the incident report.

"Upon arrival, it was determined the female victim was walking in the area when the male suspect approached her and attempted to steal her purse and stole her wallet from inside," the report said. "A struggle ensued, during which two witnesses intervened, and the suspect made threatening statements towards them. The witnesses held the suspect until officers arrived on scene."

When the officers tried to take the man into custody, he resisted and kicked them, according to police. With the help of additional officers who arrived at the scene, the man was taken into custody. Even then, the suspect, identified as Ricko Ford of an undetermined address, continued to threaten the officers, the report said. One witness received minor injuries.

Ford was arrested and charged with assault on police, robbery, assault and battery, and three counts of obstruction of justice, according to the in incident report. He was then held without bond.

Ford was scheduled to be arraigned in Arlington General District Court on Monday morning and his preliminary hearing was set for 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 18, according to court records.

The most serious charge Ford faces is for robbery by force, which is a Class 5 felony. If convicted on that charge, he faces a potential sentence of one to 10 years in prison, or up to 12 months in jail, along with a possible fine of up to $2,500, under the code of Virginia.

The assault on a law enforcement officer charge is a Class 6 felony, which carries a possible sentence of one to five years in prison or, in the court's discretion, up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500, under Virginia law.

The other charges are Class 1 misdemeanors, which are each punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500, according to the Virginia Code.