A 21-year-old man of no fixed address is facing multiple charges after being found with a stolen police rifle in the Pentagon City area on May 26.
According to the Arlington County Police Department, officers at 9:06 a.m. were dispatched to the 700 block of 12th Street South for a report of a person with a gun. A perimeter was established and a lookout for the suspect was broadcast, police said.
Officers located the suspect in possession of a stolen rifle and wearing a ballistic vest with police insignia (but not belonging to the Arlington County Police Department) inside a parking garage in the 1100 block of South Hayes Street.
“The preliminary investigation indicates the suspect entered a parking garage in the 700 block of 12th Street South and discharged a fire extinguisher before he forced entry with a shovel into an off-duty officer’s parked police vehicle and removed a secured rifle and other items,” police said. “The suspect then ran across the street, briefly entered a shopping mall and exited into the parking garage where he was located and apprehended by responding officers.”
The rifle was recovered on scene and no injuries were reported, police said.
The suspect – Tyler Rodriguez-Hernandez of no fixed address – was arrested and charged with grand larceny, petty larceny, receiving stolen goods, destruction of property, wearing body armor in the commission of a crime and unlawful wearing of police insignia. He was held without bond.
