WOODBRIDGE, VA — Prince William County Police have arrested a 17-year-old male in connection with an armed robbery that occurred on March 30 at the Coverstone IV Apartments in Manassas. The juvenile, who has no fixed address, was taken into custody on Thursday and charged with robbery. He is being held at the Juvenile Detention Center as authorities continue searching for a second suspect.
The robbery involved a 21-year-old man who had arranged to sell clothing through Instagram. Before the transaction was completed, one suspect brandished a firearm and demanded the victim’s property. A second suspect then took the items, including clothing, cash, and a firearm, before both fled the area. No injuries were reported.
Police describe the second suspect as a Hispanic male last seen wearing dark-colored clothing. A police K-9 unit responded to the initial incident but was unable to locate the suspects that night.
The incident is part of a growing trend in which online marketplaces are being used to set up in-person crimes, according to law enforcement officials. Investigators have not released further details on how the suspect was identified.
Court proceedings for the arrested juvenile are pending.
Fatal crash under investigation in Woodbridge
Later the same day, at 6:57 p.m., police responded to a fatal crash at the intersection of Dale Boulevard and Barksdale Street in Woodbridge. Authorities say a 2008 Honda Civic attempted a left turn across traffic while traveling eastbound and collided with a westbound 2020 Honda Civic.
Evangelina Castro, 32, a passenger in the 2008 Honda, was extricated and transported to a hospital, where she later died. The driver of the same vehicle, a 34-year-old Woodbridge man, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The 23-year-old driver of the 2020 Honda remained at the scene and was uninjured.
Speed appears to have been a contributing factor in the crash, according to police. The department is seeking witnesses who may have seen the collision.
Three Woodbridge restaurants burglarized within hours
Police are also investigating a series of early morning commercial burglaries in Woodbridge. Around 7:57 a.m. on May 1, officers responded to an alarm at 2680 Opitz Boulevard and discovered the front glass doors of two businesses—Poke Mian and Wayback Burger—had been smashed around 2:00 a.m.
An undisclosed amount of money was stolen from both establishments. While canvassing the area, officers found similar damage at Delcampo Restaurant at 2780 Metro Plaza, where cash was also reported missing. Detectives are working to determine whether the burglaries are connected. No suspect information has been released.
Vandalism reported at Gainesville High School
In a separate incident on Thursday, a School Resource Officer responded to a report of vandalism at Gainesville High School in Gainesville. Etched derogatory language was found in a bathroom stall.
The markings did not contain direct threats, and no additional incidents were reported, according to police. School personnel were notified and are monitoring the situation.
Authorities have not indicated whether surveillance footage was available in any of the ongoing investigations.
