NEWS RELEASE
NOVEMBER 19, 2009 #09-053
12:00 P.M. DONALDSON

Alexandria Police Make Arrest in Series of Robberies

Alexandria Police Detectives have charged two men with multiple counts of Robbery after a thorough investigation into several robberies that occurred over the last month. 

The first robbery occurred on October 27, at 7:20 p.m., in the area of West Glebe Road.  The suspect approached the victim, implied he had a weapon and demanded her jacket.  The suspect was not able to wrestle the jacket from the victim and ran off. 

The second robbery occurred on November 2, at 5:15 a.m., in the 3800 block of Executive Avenue.  The suspect approached the victim from behind, grabbed her purse, removed her cell phone and fled the area on foot. 

In the third robbery, two suspects approached the victim on November 6, at 9:50 p.m., in the 3800 block of Executive Avenue.  The first suspect grabbed the victim around the neck, displayed a knife and demanded money.  The victim relinquished an undisclosed amount of money and a cell phone.

The fourth robbery occurred at the intersection of Leadbetter Street and Commonwealth Avenue at 8:10 p.m on November 10.  The suspect approached the victim and grabbed her purse.  After a struggle, he was able to get the purse away from the victim and fled the area.  In all the cases, the victims were not injured.  

Following an intensive investigation, detectives charged Juan M. Benitez, 18, of the 3900 block of Bruce Street, with four counts of robbery and Gustavo Adolfo Ruiz Hernandez, 21, of the 600 block of Notabene Street, with one count of robbery.  Both Benitez and Ruiz Hernandez are being held at the Alexandria Adult Detention Center without bond.