Efforts to Address Retail Theft Result in Arrests

Published on August 29, 2025

ARLINGTON, Va. – On Friday, August 22, 2025, the Arlington County Police Department conducted a focused enforcement effort in the Pentagon City area as part of ongoing strategies to combat retail theft in Arlington County. This enforcement effort involved a coordinated response by officers assigned to the Evening Patrol Section, Community Action Team (CAT) and the Criminal Investigations Section (CIS) who worked with local and regional retail managers in planning and conducting this detail to identify and apprehend individuals suspected of theft.

The enforcement effort resulted in the arrest of 15 suspects who were charged with a total of 15 felony and 30 misdemeanor offenses including Petit Larceny, Concealment, Larceny by False Pretenses, Receiving Stolen Property and Narcotics Violations. Charges extended beyond theft-related offenses, including one suspect who was charged with Obstruction – Threats to Kill Law Enforcement after making threats to kill officers following his arrest and suspects taken into custody on outstanding warrants from other jurisdictions. Additionally, suspects were served with 20 notices banning them from various retail businesses and thousands of dollars worth of stolen merchandise was recovered.

“Retail theft continues to be an area of focus for our officers and detectives,” said Chief Andy Penn. “We are particularly aware that there are individuals and groups who cause significant financial losses to retailers, both big and small. We also see suspects become violent when confronted, resulting in injury to store employees who are simply trying to do their jobs.

"With the help of our regional law enforcement partners and the Arlington business community, we are working to disrupt this type of criminal activity and are sending a message to anyone thinking of committing retail theft in Arlington County. We will work together to ensure they are identified, apprehended and held accountable for their actions. The outcome of last Friday’s enforcement efforts is impressive and highlights the extent of retail theft that can occur within our businesses. Arlington County Police officers and detectives remain committed to ensuring public safety in accordance with our key initiative of crime prevention and control.

"I also want to acknowledge and extend appreciation to our business community for their instrumental efforts in ensuring the success of this initiative and their ongoing collaborative partnership.”

Shoplifting Crime Prevention Information

The Arlington County Police Department is committed to working with the business community to understand and address their concerns pertaining to crime and quality of life issues. ACPD has developed a business safety initiatives tips flyer and recommends the following crime prevention tips to help reduce incidents of shoplifting and retail theft:

• Greet customers as they enter your business highlights to potential shoplifters that that you and your staff are actively engaged.
• Ensure you can see everything that goes on in your store.
• Keep counters low and mount mirrors in corners so there are no blind spots.
• Place high-end items away from exits.
• Alert employees are your best defense. Report in-progress incidents to the Emergency Communications Center at 703-558-2222. Late reports of incidents that are not currently in-progress can be reported online.