$170K In Stolen Luxury Goods By 6 Theft Rings Targeted By Fairfax PD

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — A trio of theft rings have ripped off retailers in seven states — including at least $72,000 in liquor stolen from Virginia ABC stores and $60,000 worth of Chanel handbags swiped in a Tysons mall heist — but Fairfax County Police detectives made several arrests recently in the crimewave.

Tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise from high-end retailers have been made by organized crews operating across multiple states, authorities said Thursday.

"The crime committed most often in Fairfax County, just like other jurisdictions, is the crime of theft," said Police Chief Kevin Davis, during a news briefing. "It's the most voluminous crime committed in practically every jurisdiction in America."

The department has dedicated detectives, teams and resources to combat retail thefts, according to Davis. In 2023, his department made arrests in 70 percent of the county's retail crimes.

Deputy Chief Gregory Fried of the Criminal Investigations Division highlighted several recent cases, including the June 25 theft of $60,000 in merchandise from the Chanel store at Tysons Galleria.

"The crew's M.O. is to bring a fire extinguisher with them, and they discharge the fire extinguisher the moment that they encounter a loss prevention person," he said.

With the help of the U.S. Marshals Taskforce, detectives located a Philadelphia man wanted for his role in the Chanel store robbery. Police also identified two other suspects in this case.

Related: $100K In High-End Purses Swiped From Tysons Galleria Store: Photos

During the Chanel store robbery, two men and three women grabbed numerous luxury handbags, according to police. One of the men sprayed store security employees with a fire extinguisher to help cover the group's escape. No injuries were reported during the robbery.

Onntrell Cunningham, 24, of Philadelphia was arrested and charged with robbery, larceny with intent to sell, conspiracy to commit a felony, assault via a caustic substance, organized retail theft, destruction of property and petit larceny, according to police. He is being held in Philadelphia and is awaiting extradition to Fairfax County.

FCPD detectives have also obtained warrants for the arrest of 27-year-old Martina Lyons and 24-year-old Abdullah Robinson, both of Pennsylvania, in connection with the June 25 robbery.

Lyons and Robinson each face charges of robbery, larceny with intent to sell, conspiracy to commit a felony, assault via caustic substance, organized retail theft, destruction of property, trespassing, and petit larceny, according to police.

Both Lyons and Robinson remain at-large. Police are asking the public's help in locating them, as well as identifying the four suspects in this case shown in the photos above. Anyone with information to share is asked to call detectives at Criminal Investigations at 703-246-7800, option 5.

2 California Men Wanted For $170K Thefts In 7 States Arrested

Detectives also arrested two California men who they say were members of an out-of-state retail theft crew that has stolen around $170,000 in merchandise from high-end boutique retailers in seven states.

The crew was responsible for stealing about $35,000 in merchandise from Fairfax County stores, according to police.

On July 19, around 5:36 p.m., investigators were alerted to a vehicle in the Tysons area known to have been driven by members of an organized retail theft crew, according FCPD.

A short time later, detectives arrested 24-year-old Javier Velasco Puebla and 19-year-old Kevin Brian Espinoza, both of California, whom they suspected of being in the crew.

Police charged Espinoza with two counts of grand larceny, conspiring to commit larceny, two counts of stolen property with intent to sell, and possession of burglary tools. Both men were held on $2,500 bonds in the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.

Investigators are asking the public's help in identifying the four remaining suspects above.

$72K In Booze Stolen From ABC Stores; 2 Suspects Arrested

Detectives have been investigating three groups of suspects that targeted ABC stores and loaded up carts with alcohol and then fled before police could respond. In total, the crews have stolen more than $72,000 in merchandise from Virginia ABC stores, according to police.

Related: $72K In Booze Taken From 15 ABC Stores In Fairfax County: Police

Investigators were able to link Jomarice Evans, who had been arrested on May 27 by a neighboring jurisdiction on unrelated charges unrelated to the ABC store thefts in Fairfax County.

Evans was charged with five counts of grand larceny, five counts of larceny with intent to sell, five counts of transportation of alcohol, five counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, destruction of property, and organized retail theft, according to police. Evans remains in custody in another jurisdiction.

Evans was the member of the first retail theft crew investigated by FCPD. This crew was linked to the following robberies:

• July 2 - 3500 block of South Jefferson Street, Columbia Forest
• July 4- 5000 block of Burke Centre Parkway, Fairfax Station
• July 16 - 3500 block of South Jefferson Street, Columbia Forest

With the help of the U.S. Marshals Service, detectives from FCPD's Fugitive Tracking and Apprehension Unit arrested three teens in the District and charged them with three counts each of grand larceny with intent to sell in connection to these robberies. Police are still trying to identify the suspects in the photo below.

On Aug. 2, detectives arrested 26-year-old Lonnell Jennings of Washington, D.C., in connection with the theft of alcohol from two ABC two stores, according to police. He was part of a second crew that was linked to the following robberies:

• July 22 - 3500 block of South Jefferson Street, Columbia Forest
• July 26 - 5900 block of Richmond Highway, Huntington

The third crew targeting ABC stores in Fairfax County consists of one suspect, whose police say was responsible for thefts at the following locations:

• July 19 - 7200 block of Little River Turnpike, Annandale
• July 26 - 7200 block of Little River Turnpike, Annandale
• Aug. 1 - 8400 block of Old Courthouse Road, Tysons
• Aug. 13 - 7100 block of Leesburg Pike, Dunn Loring

Anyone with information about these thefts or recognizes the man in the photos below is asked to contact detectives from the McLean District Station at 703-566-7750 and ask to speak to a detective.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web – Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers.”