Police arrest suspect in connection with attempted robbery and string of robberies in Woodbridge

Armed Robbery Investigations *ARREST | Attempted Armed Robbery – On July 3 at 3:48PM, officers responded to the 13900 block of Jefferson Davis Hwy in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate an attempted robbery.

The victims, a 42-year-old man and a 24-year-old man both of Woodbridge, reported to police that they were purchasing ice cream from a vendor in the above area when they were approached by an unknown man. The man immediately brandished a handgun and demanded the victims’ property. A struggle ensued and shots were fired from the weapon. One of the victims was struck by projectiles from the weapon which was determined to be a pellet gun.

The other victim intervened and the accused then fled on foot. The victims were treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect was eventually located at an apartment on Bayside Ave. The accused was also involved in multiple other robberies which occurred in the area including several convenience stores and gas stations robberies over the past two weeks. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Laron Rasheed THOMAS, was arrested and charged in connection to this latest incident and multiple past robberies in the Woodbridge area. The investigation continues.
Arrested on July 3:
Laron Rasheed THOMAS, 24, of 1310 Bayside Ave, #1, in Woodbridge
Charged with 9 counts of robbery, 7 counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony, 2 counts of aggravated malicious wounding, 1 count of abduction, 1 count of malicious wounding, 1 count of malicious wounding by caustic substance, and 1 count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Court Date: August 23, 2017 | Bond: Held WITHOUT bond

Armed Robbery [Previously Released] – On June 30 at 2:03AM, officers responded to the Wawa located at 2051 Daniel Stuart Sq in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate a robbery. An employee reported to police that an unknown man entered the business and approached the counter. During the encounter, the suspect brandished a handgun then demanded money. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the area on foot. No injuries were reported. A police K-9 searched for the suspect who was no located. The investigation continues.

Armed Robberies [Previously Released] – On June 21 at 12:39AM, officers responded to the 7-Eleven located at 13940 Jefferson Davis Hwy in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate a robbery. An employee reported to police that an unknown man entered the business and approached the counter. During the encounter, the suspect implied he had a weapon then demanded money from the employee and a customer. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the area on foot. No weapons were displayed and no injuries were reported. A police K-9 searched the area for the suspect who was not located. Later that morning around 7:25AM, the same suspect entered the Shell service station located across the street at 13801 Jefferson Davis Hwy in Woodbridge (22191) and approached the counter. During this encounter, the suspect again implied he had a weapon and demanded money. When the employee refused to give him money, the suspect took the employee’s cell phone before fleeing the area on foot. No weapons were displayed and no injuries were reported. A police K-9 searched the area for the suspect who was not located. The investigation continues.

Strong Armed Robbery [Previously Released] – On June 21 at 3:19AM, officers responded to the 7-Eleven located at 14820 Cloverdale Rd in Woodbridge (22193) to investigate a robbery. An employee reported to police that an unknown man entered the business and approached the cashier. During the encounter, the suspect demanded money then fled the store with an undisclosed amount of money. No weapons were displayed and no injuries were reported. A police K-9 searched the area for the suspect who was not located. The investigation continues.

Armed Robbery | Abduction | Malicious Wounding [Previously Released] – On June 1 at 5:07AM, officers responded to the 1300 block of East Longview Dr in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate a robbery. The victim, a 39-year-old woman of Woodbridge, reported to police that she was walking in the above area when she was approached from behind by an unknown male. During the encounter, the suspect grabbed the victim and took her to a nearby area where he demanded money. At some point, the suspect bit the victim several times on the back then sprayed her in the face with pepper spray. The suspect eventually fled the area on foot with an undisclosed amount of money and the police were contacted. A police K-9 responded to search for the suspect who was not located. Minor injuries were reported. The investigation continues.

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