It wasn’t long after MPO Kevin “Sr. Road Dog” Webb got the call about a lookout for a green Suburban that he observed the vehicle and started pursuing it. Officer Patrick Hardy also picked up the vehicle and joined in the pursuit.
The pursuit continued over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge into Prince George's County, where the suspect entered a house and barricaded himself. The suspect finally gave himself up and was taken into custody.
Captain Mike Kline, commander Mount Vernon District Station, attributes the quick action of the officers to the successful arrest of James R. Ellis, 38, of Buchannon Street, NW, Washington, D.C. Ellis was charged with six felonies; two counts of robbery, two counts of abduction and two counts of use of firearm in the commission of a felony.
The arrest is in connection with the robbery that took place at Hollywood Video, located at 8639 Richmond Highway, on Monday, March 21 around 9:44 a.m.
During this incident, two employees who were outside the closed business were approached by a suspect who displayed a weapon and forced them inside the business. Once inside, the suspect tied up the 21-year-old and 22-year-old men and robbed them of cash and personal property. Once the suspect fled, the victims were able to free themselves and call police.
Police arrived on the scene within a minute and were able to broadcast a lookout based on information provided by the victims. A patrol officer spotted the suspect vehicle northbound on Richmond Highway near North King’s Highway and attempted to pull it over. The suspect fled and Webb and Hardy continued the pursuit.
KLINE ALSO SAID that the suspect who was apprehended Tuesday night may be connected to two other robberies that occurred in the Hybla Valley Area last week.
The first incident occurred on Saturday, March 19, at approximately 11:45 p.m. A 21-year-old man was walking home when a group of black men assaulted him in the 7900 block of Audubon Avenue in the Hybla Valley area. They took an undisclosed amount of cash from the victim and fled the scene. The victim was taken to INOVA Mount Vernon Hospital with minor injuries.
Approximately 15 minutes later, a man was standing near his home when a group of black men assaulted him in the 3400 block of Anker Street in the Hybla Valley area. They took his wallet and fled the scene. The victim was transported to INOVA Mount Vernon Hospital with minor injuries.
The third robbery occurred the evening of Tuesday, March 26 and Kline said that after this third incident, a juvenile was arrested.
Police are investigating whether the robberies were committed by the same group. It is believed that individuals other than the one who was arrested were involved. One of the suspects is described as black, 17 to 20 years old, five feet nine inches, with black hair and a beard. He was wearing a white football jersey with blue numbers. A second suspect was described as black and was wearing a black jacket and black pants.
ANOTHER INCIDENT that occurred Tuesday evening was quickly brought under control by Fairfax County police officers. An individual was firing a Tech-9, a 9mm semiautomatic with a 30-round magazine. Officers moved in and took a suspect into custody and confiscated the weapon. The suspect has been charged with attempted aggravation; malicious wounding; shooting at occupied vehicle; possession of firearm with serial number filed off; and possession of firearm in commission of felony.