bank robbery | ARLnow.com

Serial Robber Strikes Columbia Pike Capital One Bank

Published November 7, 2015 at 1:00AM

Arlington County Police and the FBI are seeking a serial bank robber who robbed a bank on Columbia Pike Friday afternoon.

The suspect, dubbed the Forever Loyal Bandit by the FBI, passed a note to a teller at the Capital One Bank at 3532 Columbia Pike around 4 p.m. He received an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene.

This was the fifth bank robbery perpetrated by the Forever Loyal Bandit since June 2014, the FBI said. The “Forever Loyal” name is a reference to a t-shirt worn by the suspect in two of his first three robberies, all of which occurred in Falls Church last summer.

The suspect went dark after an Aug. 2014 robbery, then reappeared a week ago, on Oct. 30, when he robbed the Capital One Bank at Seven Corners Center, which he had also robbed last year.

The suspect is described as a black male, between 6’0″ and 6’3″. He’s said to be in his 30s, 40s or 50s. During the Pike robbery, the man was wearing a black baseball hat, a white and black long-sleeved Izod polo shirt and black pants.

The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of the Forever Loyal Bandit. Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 202-278-2000, or Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Clarendon Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested

By ARLnow.com

Published September 18, 2015 at 9:30AM

Arlington County Police have arrested a suspect in the robbery of a bank in Clarendon earlier this week.

The TD Bank at 3101 Wilson Blvd was robbed Wednesday morning by a man who passed a note to the teller stating he had a weapon.

Police arrested 48-year-old Keith Burke yesterday afternoon after he exited the Crystal City Metro station. Police say Burke was “found in possession of a note similar to the one he passed the TD Bank teller.”

From an ACPD press release:

A bank robbery suspect was taken into custody by the Arlington County Police Department, with assistance from the Metro Transit Police Department, in the 200 block of S. 18th Street. Keith Burke, 48, of Washington, D.C., was arrested at approximately 2:00 p.m. on September 17, 2015 as he exited the Crystal City Metro station.

Burke was charged with bank robbery and is currently being held without bond. At the time of Burke’s arrest, he was found in possession of a note similar to the one he passed the TD Bank teller implying he had a weapon and demanding money.

At approximately 10:30 am on September 16, 2015, the Arlington County Emergency Communications Center was alerted of a bank robbery that had just taken place at the TD Bank, located in the 3100 block of N. Wilson Boulevard. The suspect remained at-large for a little over twenty-four hours.

“Our detectives were able to identify and locate this suspect in a timely manner as a direct result of our outstanding relationship and the ability to share resources with our partners at Metro Transit Police Department,” comments Daniel J. Murray, Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigations Division for Arlington County Police Department.

BREAKING: Bank Robbery in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published September 16, 2015 at 10:45AM | Updated September 16, 2015 at 12:08PM

(Updated at 12:05 p.m.) Arlington County Police are on the scene of a bank robbery in Clarendon.

A man robbed the TD Bank at 3101 Wilson Blvd around 10:30 a.m. The suspect “approached the teller and passed her a note indicating he had a weapon,” said Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. The suspect was handed cash, though no weapon was seen during the robbery.

No customers were in the bank at the time of the robbery, Sternbeck said.

The man fled the scene and dropped cash around the intersection of Wilson Blvd and N. Herndon Street, police say. Officers are investigating a report that the man tried to pay a witness $200 to drive him to D.C.

Officers were also canvassing the neighborhood behind the bank with canine units looking for the suspect based on witness statements, Sternbeck said.

The description of the suspect is a 5’5″ black male who was wearing a Kangol hat and a light, short sleeve button down shirt with a collar.

BREAKING: Bank Robbery in Ballston

By ARLnow.com

Published September 14, 2015 at 12:10PM | Updated September 14, 2015 at 5:32PM

Update at 5:30 p.m. — The FBI has published a wanted poster, seeking information on this morning’s robbery. A reward of up to $5,000 is offered.

Earlier: Arlington County Police are on the scene of a bank robbery in Ballston.

A man reportedly robbed the HSBC Bank at 4075 Wilson Blvd by implying that he had a gun and threatening to shoot a bank employee. He ran off after being given cash.

Police are searching the surrounding area for the man, who was last seen running north on N. Randolph Street.

The suspect is described as a six-foot tall black male in his 50s or 60s, who was wearing a red hat, green shirt and glasses at the time of the robbery, according to scanner traffic.

No customers were reported inside the bank at the time of the robbery. The bank was last robbed in 2010.

Photos Released of Masked Lee Highway Bank Robbery Suspect

By ARLnow.com

Published July 7, 2015 at 2:35PM

Bank robbery surveillance image (courtesy ACPD)

Arlington County Police and the FBI have released photos of the man who robbed the Capital One Bank at 4700 Lee Highway Monday afternoon.

The photos (above) show the man dressed all in black, wielding a pair of scissors while robbing the bank. His face is covered by what police say is a black cloth.

The suspect remains at large. In an ACPD press release, investigators say they’re seeking tips in the case.

The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit, along with the FBI’s Washington Field Office, is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a bank robbery suspect captured in surveillance footage.

On Monday, July 6, 2015, at approximately 4:59 p.m., an unknown male subject entered the Capital One Bank branch in the 4700 block of N. Lee Highway and robbed the bank while brandishing a pair of scissors. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of money, the subject fled the bank.

The suspect is described as a male of unknown race and between 5’4″ – 5’7″ tall with a slim build. At the time of the incident, the suspect was wearing a black long sleeve shirt, black pants and no shoes with white socks. He had a black cloth covering his head.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of the bank robber.

The Arlington County Police Department and FBI’s Washington Field Office are investigating this bank robbery and request that anyone with information call the FBI at 202-278-2000 or Detective Munizza with the Arlington County Police Department at 703.228.4171 [email protected]. To report information anonymously, contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866.411.TIPS (8477).

BREAKING: Bank Robbery on Lee Highway

By ARLnow.com

Published July 6, 2015 at 5:10PM | Updated July 6, 2015 at 6:19PM

(Updated at 6:15 p.m.) Arlington County Police are on the scene of a reported bank robbery in the Waverly Hills neighborhood.

The robbery was reported around 5:00 p.m. at the Capital One Bank, at 4700 Lee Highway.

Initial reports suggest a man dressed in all black and armed with scissors robbed the bank and ran off with cash. He was last seen heading westbound on Lee Highway.

The man had a t-shirt wrapped around his face during the robbery, according to scanner reports. He was reportedly wearing a black shirt, black pants and white socks with holes in them, but no shoes.

A witness, Bryan Hudzina, was walking his dog in the area at the time of the robbery. He told ARLnow.com that he saw the man run by him, behind the bank.

“As I’m walking… we turn around at the corner of the back of the bank [and see] a gentleman wearing all black, covered face, carrying something,” Hudzina said. “[He] ran to the side of me and headed down toward the back side of the buildings.”

Police officers and K-9 units are searching the surrounding neighborhoods for the suspect. Detectives are talking to employees and witnesses, and processing evidence at the bank.

Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published April 9, 2015 at 3:45PM | Updated April 9, 2015 at 4:10PM

An Arlington man has been arrested and charged with robbing a bank in Ballston this past fall.

Police say 30-year-old Sunny Parekh was arrested without incident at his home on the 1400 block of N. Scott Street, near Courthouse, last night (Wednesday). He’s been charged with the Nov. 10, 2014 robbery of the Presidential Bank on the 900 block of N. Stuart Street.

The FBI and Alexandria police assisted with the investigation and arrest, according to an Arlington County Police Department press release (below).

Parekh is currently being held at the Arlington County Detention Facility, which incidentally is located just three blocks from his home.

“He can probably see it from his cell window,” noted Arlington police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. “It wasn’t a far drive.”

Parekh is also a suspect in two other bank robberies, in Alexandria and the District. No word yet on whether charges have been filed for either of those robberies.

From ACPD:

A bank robbery suspect was taken into custody by the Arlington County Police Department, with assistance from the FBI Washington Field Office and Alexandria Police Department, at his residence in the 1400 block of N. Scott Street. Sunny Parekh, 30, of Arlington, VA, was arrested during the evening of April 8, 2015 and charged with bank robbery. He is being held without bail.

At approximately 3:59 p.m. on November 10, 2014, the Arlington County Emergency Communications Center was alerted of a bank robbery that had just taken place at the Presidential Bank, located in the 900 block of N. Stuart Street. The suspect entered the bank just prior to closing time and handed a teller a note that demanded money and implied he had a weapon. The teller gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of money and the subject fled towards Ballston Metro Center.

After months of police investigation and collaboration with partner law enforcement agencies, Parekh was identified as the primary suspect. Officers took the subject into custody without incident and he is being held at the Arlington County Detention Facility. “The closing of this case by our investigators was the direct result of outstanding work by our patrol officers and the leveraging of the resources of our FBI and Alexandria colleagues with whom we work closely on a daily basis,” commented Daniel J. Murray, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Investigations Division.

UPDATED: Escaped Bank Robbery Suspect Captured

By ARLnow.com

Published March 31, 2015 at 9:05AM | Updated March 31, 2015 at 12:53PM

Final Update (noon) — According to the Fairfax County Police Department, Assaye has been apprehended in southeast D.C., during a traffic stop, without incident.

Update at 10:00 a.m. — Per a police broadcast, the vehicle referenced below has been found but Assaye remains at large. He has reportedly carjacked another vehicle, a dark gray Hyundai Elantra with the plate XTU-5024. It was last seen in the area of Little River Turnpike in Annandale.

Earlier: Wossen Assaye, the bank robbery suspect arrested by the FBI in Arlington on March 20, has escaped from a hospital in Fairfax County.

Police say Assaye was at Inova Fairfax Hospital after an apparent suicide attempt. Early this morning he reportedly overpowered a private security guard, took his gun and escaped. A shot was fired during the struggle but no one was injured.

Police say Assaye, who’s 6’0″ and 170 lbs, stole a silver 2002 Toyota Camry with Virginia tags XZP-8513 and is still on the loose. He was wearing nothing but a hospital gown at the time of his escape. According to Reston Now, the hospital has been placed on lockdown.

On March 20, Assaye was apprehended at his father’s apartment at The Carlin retirement home in Buckingham. Police say Assaye may now be on the run with his girlfriend.

Assaye is suspected of robbing a dozen banks, making his escape from the robberies on a bicycle. Arlington County issued the following alert about Assaye’s escape this morning.

Early this morning a prisoner, being guarded by a security officer, managed to escape from Inova Fairfax Hospital. The suspect is Wossen Assaye, a male, 6′, 170 lbs who was last seen wearing a hospital gown. The suspect is armed and considered dangerous. Please use an abundance of caution and check with your local news for additional information and a photo of the suspect.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 25, 2015 at 9:20AM

Alleged Bank Robber Was Staying at Retirement Home — The FBI tracked down an accused bank robber in an Arlington on Friday thanks to his cell phone usage. The so-called Bicycle Bandit is accused of a dozen bank robberies, including a robbery in Alexandria just a few hours prior to his arrest. Investigators used phone records to figure out his identity. The suspect, Woosen Assaye, was staying at his father’s apartment at The Carlin retirement home at the time of his arrest. [NBC Washington – WARNING: Auto-play video]

Arlington Named Healthiest County in Va. — A new study has named Arlington County as the healthiest county in Virginia. Albemarle, Fairfax and Loudoun ranked second, third and fourth, respectively. [Associated Press]

Fehr Reads to Key Students — Washington Capitals player Eric Fehr read his new anti-bullying book to students at Key Elementary School yesterday. [NBC Washington – WARNING: Auto-play video]

Board Considers Affordable Housing Report — The Arlington County Board on Monday heard a comprehensive report about affordable housing in the county. [InsideNova]

Blue Line Issues — A Blue Line train suffering mechanical problems offloaded passengers at the Pentagon station this morning, causing overcrowding on the platform. [Twitter]

FBI Raid in Buckingham Targets Bank Robbery Suspect

By ARLnow.com

Published March 23, 2015 at 5:00PM | Updated March 31, 2015 at 8:59AM

(Updated at 5:35 p.m.) FBI agents raided an apartment — apparently connected to a bank robbery suspect — in Arlington’s Buckingham neighborhood Friday evening.

The agents were “executing search warrants as part of a bank robbery investigation,” according to FBI Washington Field Office spokeswoman Lindsay Godwin.

The agents arrested Wossen Assaye, Godwin said, suspected of robbing the Apple Federal Credit Union on Sir Viceroy Drive in Alexandria on Friday, March 20. He appeared in federal court in Alexandria today.

The raid happened at an apartment building near the intersection of Carlin Springs Road and N. Thomas Street around 4:00 p.m. Friday. The law enforcement show of force attracted considerable attention from neighbors, who emailed and tweeted ARLnow.com asking for additional information.

“About six suburbans of FBI with military fatigues just pulled into that area where the apartment building is on Carlin Springs and Thomas,” a resident, John Broehm, said in an email shortly after the raid. “There were lots of Arlington sheriffs there too. Although from their demeanor it seemed like it maybe was an exercise. No one seemed to be concerned about anything.”

“FBI turned from northbound Glebe onto Carlin Springs and pulled into the lot at that church between Glebe and Vermont/Park Drive,” Broehm said in a follow-up email, referring to the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington. “The guys in military gear got out and walked across the street to the apartment building where Arlington County Sheriff already was. But they were letting traffic and people go by on Carlin Springs.”

File photo (courtesy of Lucy Brookover)

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 3, 2015 at 9:10AM

Snow Chance Today — Arlington may get some snow, sleet and freezing rain this afternoon. The area is under a Winter Weather Advisory, although forecasters think areas north and west of Arlington are at more of a risk of wintry weather and slippery roads. [Weather.com]

Two Dems Running for School Board — The deadline for candidates seeking the Democratic endorsement for school board was last night and two candidates filed before the deadline: Reid Goldstein and Sharon Dorsey. The Arlington County Democratic Committee will hold its school board caucus on May 14 and 16.

Opower Losing Money, Hiring — Courthouse-based Opower, a publicly-traded energy software company, reported its latest financial results yesterday. For 2014, the company reported $128.4 million in revenue, a 45 percent increase over 2013. Its operating loss was $40.8 million. The company is continuing its hiring spree, adding employees locally and at its offices in London, San Francisco, Tokyo and Singapore. [DC Inno, Yahoo Finance]

Armed Bank Robbery in Falls Church — A Wells Fargo bank in Falls Church was robbed yesterday by two armed men known as the “Black Hat Bandits.” The men are suspected of robbing seven other banks around the D.C. area. Arlington County police assisted Falls Church police in looking for the suspects immediately after the robbery. [Falls Church News-Press]

Old Map of Arlington — An 18th century map of what is now Arlington County shows mills along Four Mile Run and the “Road To The Falls,” known now as Glebe Road. [Ghosts of DC]

Smoke in Rosslyn Metro Station — More smoke was reported in the Rosslyn Metro station this morning, possibly due to a train’s brakes. [Twitter, Twitter]

Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf