POLICE SURVEILLANCE CAR STOLEN DURING  
ATTEMPTED ARREST IN JEWELRY HEIST 

June 15, 1999  CONTACT: Cpl. Justin McNaull
703-228-4010

POLICE SURVEILLANCE CAR STOLEN AS DETECTIVE TRIED 
TO ARREST FLEEING SUSPECT IN JEWELRY STORE THEFT

An Arlington County Police detective fired his gun at a jewelry 
store theft suspect who had just stolen the officer's unmarked 
surveillance car this evening in Fairlington.

Around 5:25 this evening, a patrol officer was alerted to a theft of
earrings that had just occurred at the Village Goldsmiths Jewelers,
located at 4014 S. 28 St. The officer saw an employee chasing a 
suspect nearby in the 4000-block of S. 31 St. The officer grabbed 
the man, who broke away and ran across I-395.

Minutes later, an Arlington County detective spotted the man on 
S. 32 Rd. near Stafford St. The detective tried to arrest the man 
and a struggle and short foot chase ensued. The suspect climbed into 
the driver's seat of the detective's unmarked surveillance car. He 
started the car as the officer fought with him. The officer broke 
free as the man put the car in gear. The car sped north on Stafford St. 
and took a right onto S. 32 St., with the detective chasing it on foot. 
The car drove into a dead end, made a U-turn, and accelerated toward 
the detective. The suspect continued to accelerate and the detective 
fired multiple gunshots at the car, causing it to veer away from 
the detective. The car fled on Quaker Lane to Shirlington Circle 
and onto I-395 northbound. As it merged onto the highway, the car 
struck another car, slight injuring the other driver. The stolen car 
continued north on I-395.

The car is a gold 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix, VA tag YWD-1591. The 
car has neither police lights nor a siren. The suspect is a black male in
his early to mid 20's, about 6'0" and 150 pounds.

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