Armed robbery, police pursuit with a car full of children

Four adults have been charged for their involvement in an armed robbery that occurred Saturday night, the Mason Police District reported April 21. Six children were in the suspects’ car during a police chase and two accidents.

Police were called to the Woodlake Towers apartment complex in the 3100 block of South Manchester Street in the Seven Corners area around 10:05 p.m. Two sisters, 24 and 17 years old, had been walking through the parking lot when they were surprised by two men. One man brandished a handgun at the victims, then both suspects demanded cash and property. The victims complied, and the suspects fled on foot.

Police found the suspects in a vehicle in Bailey’s Crossroads near Leesburg Pike and Carlyn Springs Road. The suspects refused to stop, and during the police pursuit, the suspects’ vehicle struck another car at Columbia Pike and South Glebe Road in Arlington. The pursuit continued into Washington, D.C., before it crashed into a barrier wall at C Street and Washington Avenue. There were no injuries, says Fairfax County Police spokesperson Eddie Azcarate.

Marcus Woodland, 25, of 3126 E Street in Washington, D.C., and Christopher Woodland, 31, of 5057 Ayers Place SE in D.C. were taken into custody and turned over to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. They were charged with robbery.

The other adult occupants of the vehicle—Abena Okrah, 19, of 4233 Americana Drive in Annandale and Beverly Starr, 25, of 5057 Ayers Place SE in D.C.—were taken into custody by D.C. police and charged with receiving stolen property. Additional charges are pending. All four suspects are being held in D.C. jail while Fairfax County carries out the legal process of having them extradited to Fairfax County where they will be transferred to the Adult Detention Center.

Six small children, all under the age of 6, were also inside the car. They were turned over to D.C. Child Protective Services. It is not clear who their parents are, and Fairfax County does not disclose the family relationships of juveniles.

In an unrelated incident, the Mason Police District reports a 26-year-old woman was robbed at knife point April 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the 6100 block of Leesburg Pike, near Nevius Street. Two juveniles demanded her phone, then fled. She was not injured.

Police apprehended one suspect a short distance away. The other suspect was described as white, 15 to 17 years old, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and 140 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers—call 866-411-TIPS/8477 or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637—or call Fairfax County Police, 703-691-2131.