Off-duty D.C. cop stops armed robbery suspect in the act on 8th Street
Washington, D.C. – An off-duty Metropolitan Police Department officer sprang into action Thursday night after witnessing a violent armed robbery in Southeast D.C., detaining the suspect on the spot before backup arrived.
The incident unfolded around 8:45 p.m. on January 2 in the 400 block of 8th Street. According to police, the 46-year-old suspect approached a man and attempted to rob him at gunpoint. When the victim resisted, the suspect struck him with the firearm and stole his belongings.
An off-duty MPD officer in the area witnessed the robbery and intervened, managing to detain the suspect until on-duty officers arrived.
The suspect, identified as Joseph Wilkins, Jr., who has no fixed address, was arrested and is facing multiple charges. Those charges include robbery while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and several weapons violations, including possession of an unregistered firearm, unregistered ammunition, and a large-capacity magazine.
The victim was injured but is expected to recover.
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Key Points
- Off-duty MPD officer witnessed and stopped armed robbery on 8th Street
- Suspect struck victim with a gun before stealing property
- Suspect faces multiple charges including robbery while armed and drug possession
