Man arrested for armed robberies in Annandale
Fairfax County Police arrested a man for two armed robberies in Annandale last month.
On Nov. 16, a man was robbed at gunpoint at about 10:30 p.m. at the intersection of Heritage Drive and McWhorter Place.
He had just gotten off a Metrobus. The suspect followed him, displayed a black handgun, and took property and an undisclosed amount of money. The victim was not injured.
Detectives determined the suspect used a stolen credit card from the victim at a nearby 7-Eleven to buy snacks and drinks. Police obtained surveillance images of the suspect but did not locate him.
On Nov. 29, officers responded to an armed robbery in the 4700 block of Americana Drive at 1 p.m. The victim was waiting for a ride when the suspect brandished a firearm and demanded valuables. The victim attempted to run away but was assaulted by the suspect. The suspect was unsuccessful in taking the victim’s wallet. then fled in a vehicle.
Using surveillance footage and license plate reader technology, detectives linked both armed robberies to James Donta Rogers, 32, of Alexandria.
Police arrested Rogers on Dec. 4. He was charged with armed robbery, manufacturing a firearm, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony for both incidents. He was also charged with credit card theft and credit card fraud for the Nov. 16 robbery.
What is “manufacturing a handgun”?
I too wondered how or what new crime this was. So I went looking and found this, “Code of Virginia § 18.2-308.5 prohibits manufacturing, selling, importing, transferring, or possessing any “plastic firearm.”” It is legal to make your own firearm in VA, but it has to have a certain amount of metal to be detectable. There may be some other new twist that I couldn’t figure out, as many don’t really understand how firearms work (action types) or the ease for making them – so lots of legislation either misses the point (hallow, pun intended) or goes overboard with unrealistic or easily avoided restrictions. Rights and freedoms equal responsibility, each and every right/freedom we have comes with equal or greater individual responsibility. Unfortunately that is not how most people behave or act.
More than likely assembling a functional firearm from separately acquired parts, also known as a “ghost gun”, in that it has no unique serial number.
Home made firearms don’t have a serial number, if you make one and want to sell it then you have to get a serial number. However making one (from parts or otherwise) doesn’t require a serial number and could meet what some call “ghost guns”. As they say the devil is in the details.
Well Well Well…..
He’ll be back in the streets sooner than you think.
Good work by Fairfax County Police.
I thought ghost guns were all plastic, made from 3-D printers. They’re “ghost guns” because they can’t be detected on security x-ray machines.
No. It’s what John B said. But I follow your logic 👍
Why was he drawn to the Annandale area to commit crimes? He clearly was spending time at the 711 where there’s constant population of criminals. A single sweep by Ffx police would wipe out 50% of the crimes in the area.
Good investigative work and use of technology by Fairfax County PF!