Guitar Theft In Fairfax City Lands Arlington Man In Jail: Police

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — A 55-year-old Arlington man was arrested Monday in connection to the theft of a guitar from a Fairfax City music store, according to authorities.

City of Fairfax police responded around 3:11 p.m., on Sunday, to the Guitar Center at 11051 Main St. for the report of a larceny. The person who filed the report told the officers that an unknown man had entered the business and took a guitar without paying, according to the incident report.

After identifying the suspect as Stephen Gatling of Arlington, the officers obtained warrants charging Gatling with grand larceny and felony concealment of merchandise, according to police.

On Monday, police located Gatling and took him to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where he was served the warrants and held on a secure bond, according to authorities.

Gatling has a hearing scheduled for Tuesday in Fairfax County District Court to face the charges stemming from the theft from the music store, according to court records.

Coincidentally, Gatling had a hearing Monday in Fairfax County General District Court to face 13 charges of failing to pay a toll, according to court records. Those charges stem from 13 incidents that occurred in 2023.