Woodson HS Locked Down As Police Pursue Shoplifting Suspect

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Woodson High School was on full lockdown for a period of time on Wednesday afternoon, as police searched the campus for a suspected shoplifter who entered the building through an unlocked door, according to City of Fairfax Police.

Officers arrived around 12:47 p.m. at Fair City Mall for the report of a shoplifting incident that had just occurred. The suspected was located with a shopping cart full of merchandise near 9600 Main St, but he escaped by running across Main Street and entering the school building, according to police.

After contacting Fairfax County Police, school security and the high school's administration, a perimeter was established around the school, which was put on full lockdown, according to city police. With the help of school security, city police were able to take the suspect into custody without incident. No injuries were reported.

Police identified the suspect as 41-year-old Kodjo Banks of the 2800 block of Seay Street in Alexandria, who was wanted by county police for petit larceny.

Banks was arrested and charged with grand larceny and obstruction of justice, according to police. he was also served his warrant from Fairfax County and held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.