Alexandria Jewelry Store Employee Charged with Staging Robbery

Prince William County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in progress July 25 at 2:42 p.m. at DMV Gold and Jewelry Exchange on Dumfries Road.

Reem Sami Awwad, 20, an Alexandria resident and employee of DMV Gold and Jewelry Exchange, initially reported that an unknown man entered the business, displayed a knife and demanded money and jewelry, according to a police report. The suspect allegedly assaulted the victim before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of money and jewelry.

During the investigation, police determined that Awwad planned the robbery with an acquaintance – John Andre Ransom Jr., 24, also of Alexandria, who acted as the unknown thief.

Both suspects were subsequently arrested and charged with grand larceny and Awwad was charged with filing a false police report. Police said all stolen money and jewelry were returned to the store.