Man Accused Of Sterling Robbery Charged With Leesburg Heist

STERLING, VA — A man charged in connection with the attempted robbery on Friday, Sept. 13, of a Sterling gas station was also charged Monday with the attempted robbery of a Leesburg check cashing store a few hours earlier. The Leesburg Police Department charged Jedidiah M. Gauzza, 28, of no fixed address, with attempted robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

The attempted robbery Friday in Leesburg occurred at about 11:15 a.m., say the town's police. Gauzza is accused of entering Loudoun Checks Cashed in the 20 block of Plaza Street NE while carrying a handgun and then fleeing.

The second attempted robbery occurred shortly after 1 p.m. Friday. Gauzza is accused of entering the Sunoco gas station at 716 W. Church Road in Sterling, brandishing a firearm and demanding cash, according to the sheriff's office.

There were no injuries and nothing was taken in either attempted heist, say police.

The second attempted robbery led to a lockout at schools in Sterling on Friday as sheriff's deputies searched the area for the would-be robber.

Gauzza was identified through a joint investigation by the Leesburg Police Department and the sheriff's office. He was taken into custody by the Leesburg police Friday evening and held on outstanding warrants from Loudoun and Fairfax counties, the sheriff's office said.