News

Alexandria man, juvenile charged in Woodlawn carjacking

By James Cullum
Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

An Alexandria man and a juvenile were arrested Sept. 8 (Monday) after a carjacking in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Fairfax County.

The Fairfax County Police Department announced Wednesday (Sept. 10) that detectives from their Major Crimes Bureau arrested Noel Isaac Sanchez, 20, and a 17-year-old juvenile when they were tracked down in the stolen vehicle in Burke. Police said in a release that the suspects went to the 5800 block of Saint Gregory’s Lane to meet a man looking to sell clothes he listed for sale online, and that one of the suspects displayed a firearm and made off with the victim’s vehicle.

“The victim was able to use the Find My iPhone app to assist with locating his vehicle,” FCPD said in a release. “Fairfax 1 responded to the 9500 block of Burdett Road in Burke and located the vehicle and two suspects nearby.”

Police found a discarded firearm near where the suspects were arrested, according to FCPD.

Sanchez was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where he is being held without bond. He was charged with carjacking, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and robbery. The juvenile was transported to the Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center and charged with carjacking, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, underage possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm without a serial number.

Anyone with information on this incident can contact the Fairfax County Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 5. Tipsters can also reach out anonymously online or via Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477).

FCPD put out the following notification on making safe exchanges for online purchases:

  1. Meet in a public place: Always arrange to meet the seller/buyer in a safe, public location, such as a coffee shop, shopping center, or police station parking lot. Several of our district stations have safe exchange zones for online purchases. Avoid secluded areas or inviting strangers to your home.
  2. Bring a friend: Whenever possible, bring a friend or family member with you when meeting a seller/buyer. Having someone else present can deter potential scams or unsafe situations.
  3. Whenever possible, complete the transaction during daylight hours.
  4. Inspect the item thoroughly: Before finalizing the purchase, carefully inspect the item you’re interested in. Check to ensure that it is the item you intended to purchase.
  5. Trust your instincts: If the seller/buyer seems suspicious, the item appears too good to be true, or you feel uncomfortable during the transaction, trust your instincts, and consider walking away.
  6. Verify the seller’s identity: Before meeting, ask the seller/buyer for their name and contact information. Cross-reference this information with their social media profile or other online platforms to ensure they are who they claim to be.
  7. Do not share personal information: Avoid sharing personal details like your home address, phone number, or social security number. Stick to exchanging essential information related to the transaction only.
  8. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash: For more expensive items, consider using secure payment methods like PayPal or Venmo, which offer buyer protection.
  9. \Avoid wire transfers or money orders: Be cautious of sellers who insist on wire transfers or money orders as payment methods. These methods are often associated with scams and provide little to no recourse if something goes wrong.
  10. Report suspicious activity: If you encounter a suspicious seller or notice any fraudulent activity on Facebook Marketplace or any platform, report it to the platform’s support or customer service immediately. This helps protect other users from potential scams.

Safety is the priority when buying or selling on any online platform. By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to scams and enjoy a safer shopping experience. If you have any further questions or need more assistance, please reach out to your district station’s Crime Prevention Unit.

Register your camera with Connect Fairfax County to help FCPD solve crimes, locate missing people, and support investigations.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.