A 23-year-old Alexandria man heads to court this month after allegedly stealing a necklace and bracelet valued at $34,750 from an Old Town jewelry store and breaking into nearby Christ Church to hide.
Around 10 a.m. on June 4, an off-duty Alexandria sheriff’s deputy was working security at the shop in the 600 block of King Street when she heard banging sounds outside and saw a man in a black hooded sweatshirt steal the bracelet and necklace and flee on foot. The off-duty deputy then chased the suspect into an alley in the 100 block of N. Washington Street, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.
An Alexandria resident who witnessed the incident also chased the suspect and told police that the suspect entered Christ Church property at 118 N. Washington Street. The Alexandria Police Department and Sheriff’s Office surrounded the church property and found the suspect hiding in a cabinet, according to the affidavit.
Also found with the suspect was a small pillow that a jewelry store staffer said was used to display the jewelry, a work glove and a black hooded sweatshirt. The suspect was transported to Inova Alexandria Hospital for treatment of a laceration.
The suspect was charged with two counts of destruction of property, entering a property to damage and felony grand larceny. He was released on recognizance and is being represented by a public defender.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled on July 17, according to court records.
