Stop of shoplifting suspects leads to drug charges

Three Virginia men are each facing multiple charges after a shoplifting incident in Pentagon City led to a significant drug discovery.

The shoplifting happened just before 4:30 p.m. Friday on the 900 block of Army Navy Drive, which is near both the Pentagon City mall and the Westpost shopping center.

Arlington County police say they were able to quickly pull over a vehicle fitting the description of one that fled the scene of the shoplifting. Inside they found various illegal items, leading to the arrest of the trio, according to the latest ACPD crime report (below).

NARCOTICS VIOLATION (Significant), 2025-11140154, 900 block of Army Navy Drive. At approximately 4:25 p.m. on November 14, officers working a retail theft detail in the area were alerted to the report of a shoplifting where the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle. A lookout was broadcast and an officer located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop in the 1400 block of S. Joyce Street. During the course of the investigation, it was determined the vehicle was displaying an altered license plate and would be impounded. During an inventory search of the vehicle prior to towing, a large quantity of drug paraphernalia, stolen merchandise, handgun ammunition and suspected narcotics were recovered. Three occupants of the vehicle were arrested and charged. The driver… 54, of Alexandria, VA was charged with Possession of Schedule I/II Controlled Substance (x2), Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Paraphernalia. [Another suspect], 26, of Arlington, VA was arrested and charged with Possession of Cocaine and Petit Larceny. [Another suspect], 20, of Alexandria, VA was arrested and charged with Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Fentanyl and Petit Larceny.

“On Friday, officers investigating the report of a shoplifting incident conducted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle, resulting in the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of drug paraphernalia, stolen merchandise, handgun ammunition and suspected narcotics,” ACPD said on social media.

“This incident highlights outstanding police work by the involved officers, who transformed a seemingly routine shoplifting call into an exceptional proactive investigation,” the department added.

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