Local police are searching for additional victims after arresting a Falls Church man in connection to two robberies of massage parlors: one that occurred this fall and one from 2021.
Mohamed Tahir, 33, was arrested on Sept. 9 after a reported robbery at Deep Blue Massage (6105 Arlington Blvd) in Seven Corners, the Fairfax County Police Department reported this morning (Friday).
Officers responded to the robbery at 10:52 a.m.
“A man armed with a handgun and taser entered the business, assaulted two employees, and stole money,” the FCPD said. “The two victims were treated for minor injuries at the scene.”
Police identified Tahir as the suspect based on a review of surveillance footage. He was charged with robbery, strangulation and two counts of abduction by force.
According to the FCPD, detectives working on the case realized that Tahir “matched the description and behavior of a suspect in a similar robbery in 2021.”
At 10 p.m. on December 15, 2021, officers responded to a commercial armed robbery at the Blue Therapy Massage, at 5532 Hempstead Way in Springfield. The suspect, armed with a handgun, assaulted and robbed two victims. Through the detective’s investigation, the suspect was not identified.
According to a Fairfax County General District Court clerk, Tahir was released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond granted by Judge Michael Lindner at a Nov. 17 hearing. The bond came with a condition that he be supervised and that his attorney be contacted if needed to address medical needs he may have been experiencing.
Police arrested Tahir again yesterday (Thursday) morning on new charges of robbery, abduction by force, strangulation and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in connection to the December 2021 robbery.
He is now being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center with no bond, the FCPD said.
A preliminary hearing for the Sept. 9 case has been set for next Tuesday (Dec. 5), while a hearing for the 2021 case will be held on March 4, 2024.
The FCPD says its detectives believe there may be additional victims from both cases.
“Detectives encourage victims to come forward regardless of when a crime may have occurred,” the department said in a news release. “Victims can speak with a Victim Services specialist at 703-246-2141.”
Image via Google Maps
(Updated at 10:45 a.m.) Fairfax County police have arrested two men who allegedly broke into a house in the McLean area earlier this week and robbed and assaulted its residents at gunpoint.
Officers were called to the 1300 block of Spring Hill Road — just north of Tysons and the Dulles Toll Road — at 5:45 a.m. on Monday (Nov. 27) when a 911 caller reported that at least one stranger was in her house “screaming about money,” according to the dispatch on Open MHz.
An investigation found that three people “forcibly entered” the residence and “demanded money” while brandishing a gun, the Fairfax County Police Department said today (Friday).
“The men assaulted two victims inside the home then ran from the residence,” the police department said in a news release. “One victim was taken to the hospital for injuries considered not life-threatening.”
Officers located one of the suspects — identified as 32-year-old Lorton resident Jaquan Ross — that day with help from a helicopter and K9 unit. Ross was spotted by the chopper “attempting to conceal himself by laying on the ground,” according to the FCPD.
Ross has been charged with three counts each of abduction and robbery, burglary, malicious wounding, and use of a firearm while committing a felony.
The subsequent investigation led detectives to identify Elijah Thomas, 24, of Dumfries as one of the other men involved in the robbery, the FCPD says. He was arrested yesterday (Thursday) and faces the same charges as Ross, with the addition of one count of being a felon in possession of a gun.
Police say the third person involved in the incident was also a man, but they’re still working to identify him.
Though the 911 caller described the intruders as strangers, the FCPD says detectives don’t believe the robbery was committed at random.
“During the investigation, certain facts and circumstances led investigators to believe this was not a random act,” the police department said in a statement to FFXnow. “The case is still currently under investigation and detectives are actively following leads.”
Ross and Thomas are both in custody without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. After an arraignment on Tuesday (Nov. 28), Ross will get a preliminary hearing on Feb. 28, 2024, while Thomas was arraigned today and scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 4, according to court records.
Fairfax County police are investigating potential connections between some recent ATM break-ins and armed robberies in the Lincolnia area.
Officers responded to the TD Bank in Pinecrest Plaza at 6566 Little River Turnpike around 3:08 a.m. yesterday (Tuesday) after getting a call that three people were attempting to “forcibly access” the ATM, according to a news release from the Fairfax County Police Department.
The individuals were reportedly unsuccessful, as officers found that the ATM was damaged but no money had been stolen, police said.
However, just minutes later at 3:13 a.m., police were called to the 7-Eleven at 4818 N. Beauregard Street — just outside the Plaza at Landmark shopping mall — for an armed robbery, according to the FCPD.
Officers are on scene of a robbery at the 7-Eleven at 4818 Beauregard St in Lincolnia. Multiple suspects entered the store, implied a gun, and stole the ATM. No injuries were reported. Suspects fled in a grey BMW w/ VA tags TNV1895. Call 911 w/ info. #FCPD pic.twitter.com/C1UTkhErgZ
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) November 7, 2023
“The suspects entered the store, implied they had a firearm and threatened the employee,” police said. “The suspects gained access to two separate ATMs at the business and left with an undisclosed amount of money.”
The FCPD believes the incidents were related, and detectives are investigating whether they might also be connected to a pair of ATM thefts, one of them involving a firearm, that occurred in Kingstowne last Thursday (Nov. 2).
On November 2 at 3:42 a.m., three suspects entered the 7-Eleven at 6147 Franconia Road in Kingstowne. The suspects displayed a firearm and stole money from the ATM. That morning, an employee reported someone attempted to steal money from the ATM at the Burke and Herbert Bank at 5519 Franconia Road. Detectives are investigating to determine if these cases are connected to the overnight incidents.
Alexandria police also responded to two robberies on Nov. 2 where the suspects reportedly took ATMs. In one case, they showed a handgun in the process.
The FCPD told FFXnow that “as of now,” it doesn’t have any information on the Alexandria incidents, but it is “diligently pursuing all leads to ensure the safety of our community.”
“Our dedicated detectives are collaborating closely with our regional law enforcement partners to thoroughly investigate any potential connections,” the FCPD said.
Local police are searching for a man who reportedly threatened to kidnap a woman’s child if she did not give up her belongings in Reston.
The man approached the woman near the 11900 block of Barrell Cooper Court in Reston and attempted to snatch her backpack. The suspect threatened to take her child if she did not give up the backpack, police said.
The Fairfax County Police Department generated a composite sketch of the suspect, who was described as Hispanic, between 20 to 25 years of age, around 5-foot-6, and with a thin build.
FCPD also released information about a second incident in Reston that they believe is linked.
In that incident on Aug. 9, two women were walking on a trail near the 12000 block of Greywing Square when two men approached them. The first man pepper-sprayed the women, stole their purses and ran. The suspect is described as a Hispanic man, roughly 19 years old, with dark hair and facial hair on his chin.
A second composite sketch was released on Saturday (Sept. 9), which police believe is linked to the July incident. The second man was described as short, Hispanic and roughly 16 years of age. A composite sketch was not available for the second suspect.
“Detectives believe the composite sketches are the same suspect,” FCPD wrote in a statement.
Here’s how to contact FCPD to provide information.
Detectives are asking anyone who may have information about these incidents to call the Reston Police Station at 703-478-0904 and ask to speak with a detective. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web –Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App and follow the steps to “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.
Three teenagers have been arrested in connection with a series of golf cart robberies at Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston.
Police arrested an 18-year-old from Lynchburg, a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old in connection with an Aug. 16 incident.
That day, around 6:40 p.m., one of the teenagers reportedly brandished a gun when an employee approached the group of teens, who were suspected of stealing golf carts in the past. During the verbal fight, one teenager brandished a gun, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
Later, around 8:06 p.m., the same group of teenagers reportedly stole a golf cart and crashed it. The group then robbed a party of golfers at gunpoint and drove away.
In both instances, police failed to find the individuals despite a helicopter-assisted search.
Police told FFXnow that three golf carts were also stolen on Aug. 13, but the management of the golf course did not seek to prosecute the case. The golf carts were recovered after a chase.
The FCPD announced yesterday (Sunday) that the individuals had been arrested and charged.
The 18-year-old faces a charge of possession of a firearm with an altered serial number. The 16-year-old was charged with possession of Schedule I/II Narcotics, and possession of a firearm while in possession of certain substances. The 14-year-old was charged with robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and underage possession of a firearm.
Four guns and suspected narcotics were discovered during the course of the investigation, police said.
(Updated at 9:05 p.m.) Local police are investigating an armed robbery that took place last night (Wednesday) at Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston.
Police arrived on the scene at around 8 p.m. to investigate the incident. No injuries were reported.
At least one suspect reportedly displayed a handgun, a spokesperson for the Fairfax County Police Department told FFXnow.
“This incident is still an active investigation, and no other information can be provided at this time,” the spokesperson wrote in a statement.
According to the county’s police scanner, six juveniles were seen near the 15th hole on the golf course. A female individual reportedly displayed a hand gun.
The juveniles were reportedly seen attempting to steal golf carts, according to the scanner.
Earlier this month, police confirmed that several golf carts were stolen from the golf course at 1711 Clubhouse Road and later recovered.
FCPD did not provide any additional information about the incidents.
(Updated at 4:30 p.m.) Local police have made an arrest in connection with the robbery of a 66-year-old woman in the vicinity of the North Shore pool.
Police arrested and charged the 38-year-old Reston resident with robbery on Wednesday (July 26).
The incident happened at 8:20 p.m. on Monday (July 24) near a Metro bus in the 11000 block of North Shore Drive.
“The victim was on a Metro bus near the Hunter Woods shopping center,” police said.
The victim reportedly left the bus, where she was conversing with the female suspect, and sat down on a bench.
Police believe the suspect sat down next to her and took her wallet.
“A physical struggle occurred between the victim and a suspect, at which time the suspect ran from the scene and was not located,” the Fairfax County Police Department said.
No injuries were reported.
The suspect is being held on no bond.
Correction: This story previously said the robbery occurred near the Hunters Woods Village Center. The police news release suggests that the victim was riding the bus near that shopping center, but the actual incident took place roughly three miles away on North Shore Drive.
Local police have arrested a 20-year-old Woodbridge man in connection with a Father’s Day shooting in in the McNair neighborhood.
Zaire Davis was arrested on June 29 for a robbery that happened in Annandale on June 25 — a process during which a detective noticed a “striking resemblance” to a sketch released to the community related to the June 18 shooting.
“Based on the investigation and evidence recovered, detectives determined Davis was involved in the shooting that occurred on Cornelia Road,” the Fairfax County Police Department announced today.
Detectives then secured a search warrant and found a handgun, revolver, ammunition and electronic devices.
Davis was charged yesterday (Wednesday) with malicious wounding and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in connection with the shooting. He is being held without bond.
For the Annandale robbery, he faces charges of robbery, malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and conspiracy to commit robbery.
According to police, a man was found in the 2500 block of Cornelia Road on Father’s Day morning with a gunshot wound to the upper body. His injuries were initially described as life-threatening, but his condition later stabilized while he was in the hospital.
The FCPD says detectives are still looking for a second suspect in the shooting, which they believe started when the men attempted to break into the victim’s vehicle. The other suspect is described as being in his early 20s with brown hair.
Vienna police are searching for a person who robbed a postal worker while armed with a knife and pepper spray on Friday (June 2).
Officers responded around 11:50 a.m. to a U.S. Postal Service employee’s report that they had been robbed in the 500 block of Church Street NE, the Town of Vienna Police Department said in a news release that afternoon.
“The employee stated the suspect displayed a knife and demanded the employee’s keys,” the VPD said. “The employee complied and gave up their United States Postal Service mailbox key. The suspect then proceeded to pepper spray the employee before fleeing the scene on foot.”
The worker was taken to the hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.
The department is seeking assistance from the public in the case, asking for potential eyewitnesses or video footage of the encounter.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement arm of the USPS, is collaborating with Vienna police on the investigation.
The VPD asks anyone with possible information to contact its public information officer, Juan Vazquez, at 703-255-6366.
Additional details about the robbery, including any identifying information for the suspect, weren’t immediately available.
A 26-year-old Herndon man was arrested yesterday (Monday) in connection with a trio of armed robberies in Sterling over a 36-hour period.
According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, the first robbery happened at a 7-Eleven in the 700 block of West Church Road. A man brandished a knife and demanded money from the clerk shortly before 1:50 a.m. on Sunday (May 14).
The second robbery happened at a nearby Sunoco gas station at 8:18 a.m. In that incident, authorities believe a man brandished scissors and demanded money from the clerk, according to LCSO.
The final robbery happened at the Exxon gas station on the 45600 block of Falke Plaza. A man approached a clerk with his hand in his pocket shortly after 12:30 a.m. yesterday (Monday) and demanded money, LCSO said.
Authorities believe the man left the stores in a grey Toyota Camry in all three robberies.
The suspect was charged with three counts of robbery. He was arrested at a home in the 700 block of West Church Road opposite of where the first gas station robbery occurred. The road was blocked off yesterday morning in both directions.
Photo via Google Maps
