The Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's assistance in locating a missing female teenager who is believed to be with her 19-year-old boyfriend.
The boyfriend, Edson Mejia of Sterling is wanted on assault charges after an incident Sunday, May 15, in which he allegedly dragged the missing juvenile's 45-year-old mother a short distance with his car after an altercation, according to the police report. The incident began around 9:15 p.m. when the daughter, Giao Thuy Lai, 17, of Ashburn, had returned to her parent's residence in the 20200 block of Brookview Square. The teenager had been reported missing by her parents three weeks ago and was said to have left at that time on her own accord.
The mother, concerned her daughter was going to try to leave again, attempted to hold Giao in the house. The boyfriend then pushed the mother out of the way. Eventually the two teens would get into a black or dark colored Toyota, possibly a model year 2001 Celica with Virginia license plate. The mother attempted to keep them from leaving by grabbing onto the car and at that time Mejia was said to have driven away very fast dragging the woman a short distance.
The woman was taken to the Lansdowne Campus of Loudoun Hospital where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The Sheriff's Office obtained warrants Tuesday, May 17, for Mejia's arrest on charges of felony hit and run, assault and battery, malicious wounding and driving while revoked. He is described as being 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing approximately 150 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes and is said to also go by the name of Edson Vargas or Edson Vargas Mejia. Lai is described as being 5 feet tall and weighing approximately 100 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Mejia or Giao are asked to contact Investigator C. Perinis of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 703-777-0475. If the caller would like to remain anonymous contact Loudoun Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919.