McLean Weekly Crime Report-Mall Teams Making Arrests

Crime incidents reported by Fairfax County police  in the two McLean zip codes 22101 and 22102 for the period ending Nov. 23, 2011.

RETAIL ANTI-THEFT TEAMS/ARREST:Tyson’s Corner Mall. Phony credit cards, stolen identifications, and out-of-state shoplifting scammers are being targeted by Fairfax County Police Retail Anti-Theft
Teams (RATT) once again this holiday season.

In an annual effort that began “Black Friday,” RATT officers are patrolling the malls and shopping centers across Fairfax County hoping to keep the areas safe and crime-free.

One arrest so far this season involves a 41-year-old man who approached a high-end jeweler in Tyson’s Corner Mall to purchase a $10,000 watch on Saturday, November 19. An alert sales clerk noticed a discrepancy in the “customers” paperwork and conducted a quick search.

She saw that the man was on the Prince Georges County Police Top
Ten list of Wanted Felons where he was described as “violent.” She stalled him as police officers approached the store. The suspect fled but was quickly apprehended by mall security and RATT officers.

The arrested was taken into custody and police discovered over $20,000 worth of
merchandise he had purchased allegedly using stolen credit cards from Maryland and Virginia.

Teams of Fairfax County officers are working in shopping malls and retail businesses in both uniformed and plain-clothes capacities. They are targeting all shoplifters but particularly the “professionals” that distract store employees while associates across the store attempt to conceal and steal merchandise.

In 2010, officers assigned to the retail theft operations made significant arrests, charging suspects with fraud, forgery, embezzlement, possession of stolen property, distribution of narcotics and more.

In the McLean Police District, there were a total of 115 people charged with 152 offenses; and $196,386. worth of stolen merchandise was recovered. Working closely with store and mall management and loss prevention staff and security, the holiday
RATT officers are committed to keeping scofflaws away from Fairfax County retailers and residents.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

LARCENIES

Street               Block
Anderson Road 1600
Beer stolen from business

Chain Bridge Road 1400
Merchandise stolen from business

Chain Bridge Road 1900
iPhone stolen from business

Chain Bridge Road 1900
Sunglasses stolen from business

Old Dominion Drive 6700
Energy drinks stolen from business

Old Dominion Drive 6700
Beer stolen from business

Tysons Corner Center 7800
Sweaters stolen from business

Tysons Corner Center 8000
Jeans stolen from business

Tysons Corner Center 8000
iPhone stolen from business

Tysons Corner Center 8000
Merchandise stolen from business

Whittier Avenue 6800
Cash stolen from business

Woburn Court 900
Dress stolen from residence