Police seek suspect in armed robberies
Police are asking the public for help in finding a suspect in two armed robberies in February, said 1st Sgt. Kim Chinn Prince William police.
Arrest warrants have been issued for Romayne Robinson, 21, of 15711 Beau Ridge Drive in Woodbridge. Robinson is charged with two counts of armed robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and conspiracy to commit a felony, Chinn said.
On Feb. 28, a Woodbridge man was removing a child safety seat from his car on Bay Vista Drive, when a man with a gun, wearing a scarf, approached him and demanded his money.
After the gunman took the man’s wallet and ran to a get-away car, the victim flagged down Prince William police officer Michael Sullivan, Chinn said.
Police quickly found the van, but one of the occupants escaped, Chinn said.
“The victim saw him jump into a car, so they stopped a car that matched the description,” Chinn said.
“When he stopped the vehicle,” Chinn said of Sullivan, “the passenger got out and ran to the rear of Marumsco Plaza.”
“He kept the driver at gunpoint until other units arrived and secured the arrest. He found the victim’s wallet inside the van and the money was gone,” Chinn said.
Police released the dogs to track the van’s passenger.
The K-9 team lost the trail of the suspect, but found a gun and a scarf, Chinn said.
Police arrested the driver of the van, Derrell McNeil Gay, 23, of 2812 Powell Drive, in Woodbridge. Gay was charged with armed robbery and conspiracy to commit a felony and held without bond, Chinn said.
Later that night, a similar robbery occurred in the 1900 block of Stevens Road in Woodbridge.
A man with a gun, wearing a tan scarf, jumped from a van, robbed a 29-year-old man as he moved his car in a parking lot Potomac Vista Apartments, jumped back into the van’s passenger seat, and sped away, Chinn said.
Police believe Robinson was involved in both robberies, Chinn said.
Police ask that anyone with information call Crime Solvers at (703) 670-3700 or 1-800-673-2777. Callers do not have to give their names or testify in court and may receive a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to arrest.
Staff writer Keith Walker can be reached at (703) 878-8063.