Penderbrook's David Brian Clark, 37, won't have to answer to his drug charges. But the bank-robbery cases against him are heading to the grand jury.
Initially, Fairfax County police charged him with 10 crimes, but only the five most-serious ones are moving ahead in the legal system.
In an Aug. 24, 2006 affidavit for a warrant to search Clark's home at 3904 Penderview Drive in Fairfax for possible evidence, police Det. J.D. Vickery of the Robbery Squad detailed the case against him.
HE WROTE that, on April 3, he responded to the BB&T Bank at 7393-A Lee Highway in Falls Church for a reported bank robbery. Victims there described the robber as a white male, 30-40 years old, between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 6 inches, and 160 pounds.
They told him the suspect had worn a dark-colored cap, black gloves and a green jacket with black around the shoulders. They said he also wore blue jeans and white sneakers with some black color in them.
They stated that, during the robbery, the man brandished a silver, semi-automatic handgun with a flashlight attached to the bottom. He'd also brought with him a white, plastic bag with yellow color on the side.
"[He] demanded United States currency from the employees," wrote Vickery. "They complied and gave him the currency and a 'dye pack.' The subject exited the branch and was seen running east. The 'dye pack' was seen exploding in a nearby parking lot, but no items were recovered."
Then on May 9, the BB&T at 7000 Bland St. in Springfield was robbed. The suspect was described as a white man, 5 feet 5 inches, and wearing a green hooded sweatshirt, dark black sunglasses and a dark baseball cap. He carried a black, fabric bag and displayed a silver, semi-automatic handgun with a flashlight attached to the bottom.
Two days later, on May 11, the same BB&T in Falls Church was once again robbed. The description of the robber and his attire were the same as during the May 9 offense, except that black gloves were added and witnesses noticed a New York Yankees emblem on the front of the baseball cap. And, as in the previous robbery, the suspect carried the same type bag and handgun.
All was well at the Falls Church BB&T in June but, on July 18, the robber struck there again. This time, though, wrote Vickery, bank employees saw him and locked the front door. And although he tried to enter, he was unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, photographs of the three bank heists were placed into the Fairfax County Crime Solvers bulletins and, on Aug. 23, an anonymous phone caller reportedly identified the person in the photos as David Clark. Police also learned that he was currently in jail on narcotics charges.
VICKERY THEN questioned Clark about the bank robberies and, wrote the detective, "Clark confessed to three bank robberies and the attempted robbery. He [allegedly] stated he conducted the robberies to obtain money for heroin."
On Aug. 19, police had charged Clark with possession of heroin, possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, and petit larceny. On Aug. 24, they added one count of armed bank robbery, three counts of attempted bank robbery and three counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Last Tuesday, Jan. 30, in General District Court, Clark's drug and petit larceny charges were dropped, as were one of the attempted robberies and one firearm charge. But Judge Donald McDonough sent the charge of armed bank robbery, two counts of attempted bank robbery and two of the firearms charges to the grand jury for possible indictment.