VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A 22-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with an armed robbery on Lynnhaven Parkway, thanks to swift investigative work and advanced surveillance technology, Virginia Beach police announced Wednesday.
The incident occurred on November 24 at approximately 9:37 a.m. in the 800 block of Lynnhaven Parkway, where the suspect allegedly discharged a firearm inside a business during the robbery. No one was struck by the gunfire, but the act created alarm and endangered employees.
Using a combination of evidence from residential and commercial security cameras, city-owned surveillance systems, and Flock license plate readers, detectives were able to quickly identify the suspect. Dominique Leary, 22, of Virginia Beach, was arrested on November 26.
Leary faces a litany of charges, including armed robbery, armed burglary, possession of a firearm by a convicted violent felon, wearing a mask in public, discharging a firearm within a building, and shooting across a roadway. He has also been charged with two counts each of abduction and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
“I want to thank the numerous officers and detectives that worked tirelessly to investigate this case and quickly apprehend an individual that brazenly robbed and threatened our community members at their place of employment,” said VBPD Chief Paul Neudigate. “This is yet another example of camera technology, especially license plate reader technology, helping us identify and arrest suspects who prey on our community.”
Leary’s arrest comes just two days after the incident, underscoring the value of real-time technological tools in aiding law enforcement efforts.
Virginia Beach police credit surveillance technology in solving armed robbery within 48 hours.
