Crime and Punishment, issue of 22.08.24

2 suspects arrested in robbery of luxury store in Tysons, several more wanted: Fairfax County Police Detectives, in cooperation with the U.S. Marshals Task Force, have arrested a 24-year-old Pennsylvania man for his alleged involvement in a June robbery in Tysons in which the suspects stole more than $60,000 worth of merchandise.

In that robbery, which occurred at a luxury retail store in the Tysons Galleria, several suspects stole purses, and one of them allegedly fired a fire extinguisher at a security guard employee in an attempt to flee the scene. No one was injured in the robbery, police said.

The suspects fled in a white Alfa Romeo whose license plates were believed to have been stolen or altered, Fairfax County police said.

On August 7, the U.S. Marshals Task Force team, in coordination with the Philadelphia District Police, arrested Onntrell Cunningham in Philadelphia on charges of robbery, theft with intent to sell, conspiracy to commit a serious felony, assault with a caustic substance, organized shoplifting, criminal damage to property, and petty theft.

Cunningham is being held without bail. After the conclusion of the Pennsylvania trial, Cunningham will be transferred to Fairfax County for pretrial detention.

Detectives are also trying to locate another suspect, 27-year-old Martina Lyons of Pennsylvania, and have obtained arrest warrants for her for robbery, theft with intent to sell, conspiracy to commit a serious felony, assault with a caustic substance, organized shoplifting, criminal damage to property, trespassing and petty theft.

In addition, detectives are searching for 24-year-old Abdullah Robinson of Pennsylvania and have obtained arrest warrants against him for robbery, theft with intent to sell, conspiracy to commit a serious crime, organized shoplifting, criminal damage, assault with a caustic substance and petty theft.

Police are still trying to identify four other suspects involved in the robbery.

District police arrest two suspected members of a shoplifting gang and are looking for other suspects: Detectives from the Fairfax County Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division recently arrested two members of an out-of-state gang of shoplifters who targeted high-end boutiques in several states, police said.

The gang is believed to be responsible for a total of about $170,000 in damage to such retailers in seven states, including about $35,000 in Fairfax County, police said.

On July 19 at 5:36 p.m., Fairfax County Detectives were alerted to a vehicle near Tysons that was believed to be driven by a gang of organized shoplifters. A short time later, Detectives located two suspects who arrived with the vehicle and took Javier Velasco Puebla, 24, and Kevin Brian Espinoza, 19, both of California, into custody.

Puebla was charged with three counts of grand larceny, three counts of conspiracy to commit larceny, two counts of theft with intent to sell and possession of burglary tools.

Authorities charged Espinoza with two counts of grand larceny, conspiracy to commit larceny, two counts of theft with intent to sell and possession of burglary tools.

Police took both suspects to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and held them on $2,500 bail.

Fairfax County Police Arrest 56-Year-Old Sterling Man in Connection with Multiple Church Burglaries: Detectives with the Fairfax County Criminal Investigation Department arrested a 56-year-old Sterling man on August 13 for his alleged involvement in several church break-ins across the county.

On August 5th at 9:42 a.m., officers responded to a reported burglary in the 8200 block of Little River Turnpike in Annandale. Officers learned that a suspect had allegedly entered a church overnight and attempted to steal property. Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division responded and took over the investigation.

After the investigation, detectives identified Steven Hildner as a suspect and, with the assistance of Leesburg Police, executed a search warrant for his Loudoun County residence.

Police reportedly collected evidence linking Hildner to additional church break-ins throughout Fairfax County.

These robberies occurred:

• April 11 in the 4900 block of Twinbrook Road in Burke and the 7200 block of Ox Road in Fairfax Station.

• June 14 in the 13000 block of Franklin Farm Road in Chantilly.

• July 16 in the 10000 block of Coffer Woods Road in Burke.

• Aug. 1 in the 8900 block of Little River Turnpike in Annandale.

• Aug. 5 in the 8200 block of Little River Turnpike in Annandale.

• August 12 in the 2700 block of Hunter Mill Road in Oakton.

Authorities have charged Hildner with petty theft, five counts of burglary and two counts of grand theft. He is being held without bail at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.

Investigators are continuing to review evidence to confirm Hildner's involvement in other cases. Police are asking anyone with information about these incidents to call the Mason District Police Station at (703) 256-8035, option 2.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers at (866) 411-8477. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards and should leave their contact information if they would like a detective to contact them.

NEW VIENNA RESIDENT SAYS PLAY EQUIPMENT STOLEN DURING MOVE: On June 4, a resident hired a moving company to transport his belongings from North Carolina to his new home in the 100 block of Sandy Circle (SE) in Vienna.

The resident subsequently discovered that several items, including games and play equipment, had been stolen, Vienna police said.

VIENNA WOMAN CLAIMS JEWELRY WAS STOLEN FROM HER HOME: A resident of the 600 block of Kearney Court, SW, told Vienna police that sometime between July 17 and July 21, someone stole jewelry from her home while she was out of town.

WIENER REPORTS THREATS AND SUSPICIOUS BANKING TRANSACTIONS AFTER ONLINE INTERACTION: A resident of the 900 block of Moorefield Hill Grove, SW, told Vienna police she interacted with someone on TikTok on August 8.

The next day, she noticed suspicious transactions in her checking account and began receiving threatening text messages telling her that something would happen to her if she did not give the other person money, police reported.

MAN FROM VIENNA OBTAINS TEMPORARY REStraining Order AGAINST HIS WIFE AFTER ALLEGED ASSAULT: A man who lives on Meadow Lane, SW, went to the Vienna Police Station at 10am on August 9 to report that his wife had allegedly assaulted him.

The police advised the resident to obtain a restraining order. Later that evening, the police served the restraining order on the wife.

DRIVER ARRESTED FOR DRUNK DRIVING AFTER ALLEGEDLY DRIVING WITH MISSING TIRES: A Vienna Police Officer initiated a traffic stop on August 10 at 10:21 p.m. in the 100 block of Maple Avenue E. after observing a driver attempting to proceed with a missing tire.

While speaking to the driver, the officer noticed signs of impairment, police said.

Officers arrested the driver after she reportedly failed several breathalyzer tests, police said.

Police took the 64-year-old Vienna woman to the Vienna Police Station, where she provided a breath sample for analysis. Police then took her to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where authorities charged her with drunken driving.

VIENNA RESTAURANT GUEST SAYS WOMAN BOTHERED HER WITH PERSONAL QUESTIONS: A woman was waiting for her food order at Panera Bread, 136 Maple Ave., W., at 12:32 p.m. on Aug. 12 when she was approached by an older woman who asked her several personal questions, Vienna police said.

When the plaintiff noticed the older woman following her out of the restaurant, she entered Ben & Jerry's to escape her, police said.

An employee escorted the complainant safely to her vehicle. Officers searched the area for the woman but were unable to find her, police said.

MAN STEALS ALCOHOL AND ESCAPES FROM VIENNA ABC STORE: An employee at the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Store at 419 Maple Ave. E. told Vienna police at 11:05 a.m. on August 13 that a man entered the store, filled a bag with several bottles of alcohol and left the store without paying for them.

Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the man, police said.

VIENNA MAN SURPRISES AND CHASES AWAY INVESTIGATOR: A resident was on the upper floor of his residence in the 200 block of Glen Avenue, SW, at 12:15 p.m. on Aug. 13 when he heard a noise coming from the downstairs living room, Vienna police said.

When he investigated the noise, he found an unknown man in his house, police said.

The resident escorted the man out the front door and followed him for a short distance before calling the police. Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the man.

FAIRFAX COUNTY POLICE OFFER ROAD SAFETY TIPS AS THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR STARTS: As Fairfax County Public Schools students begin fall classes on August 19, Fairfax County Police are urging parents, guardians and community members to practice safe transportation practices and contribute to the well-being of students, whether they walk, ride or bike to school.

Police urge parents and community members to:

• Plan ahead: Know your child's route to school. Look for safe crossings, well-lit areas and designated bike lanes.

• Walk in groups. Encourage your child to walk with friends or neighbors if possible. A group is more visible to drivers and provides company.

• Using crosswalks and traffic lights: Teach your child the importance of using crosswalks and obeying traffic signals.

• Be visible: Dress your child in bright or reflective clothing, especially in the early morning or in low light conditions.

• Safe riding: If your child rides a bike, make sure they know the rules of the road, such as hand signals when turning and obeying traffic laws. Make sure your child always wears a properly fitting helmet to reduce the risk of head injuries.

– Be alert when driving: If you drive during school hours, be extra cautious in school zones and at bus stops. Obey posted speed limits and avoid distractions.

• Get involved in the community: Consider starting a walking or cycling group in your neighborhood. This can create a sense of community and make the group safer.

• Encourage communication: Keep communication channels open with your child. Encourage them to share any safety concerns they may have while commuting.