2 Women In Custody Linked To 4 Fairfax County Retail Thefts

FAIRFAX, VA — Fairfax County Police investigators identified two out-of-state women for their involvement in multiple organized retail thefts that occurred last year across the county.

On July 19, 2024, officers responded around 5:51 p.m. to the 2900 block of District Avenue in Merrifield for the report of a grand larceny, according to police. A preliminary investigation determined that three women entered the business and stole items without paying. The three suspects then left the area in a vehicle.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division identified Tanihya Allen of Maryland and Destiny Howard of Washington, D.C., both of whom are 20, as two of the three suspects wanted in the case, according to police. Investigators were able to link the two women to additional cases in the county and obtained arrest warrants for both of them.

Police in Montgomery County, Maryland, arrested Allen on local charges and Howard was being held in custody at the Howard County Jail in Howard County, Maryland, according to police.

After Allen was extradited from Maryland to Fairfax County on March 19, she was charged with four counts of grand larceny, three counts of larceny with intent to sell, three counts of conspiracy to commit larceny, assault on law enforcement officer, eluding, reckless driving, two counts of hit and run, no operator’s license, and altered/forged license plates, according to police.

With Howard still awaiting extradition, detectives obtained arrest warrants for her for three counts of grand larceny, three counts of larceny with intent to sell, and three counts of conspiracy to commit larceny.

FCPD has linked Allen to all the retail theft incidents listed below. Howard was linked to three of the incidents.

Anyone who has information about this case is asked to call detectives at the McLean District Station at 703-556-7750 option 2. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web – Click HERE for a reward up to $5,000.