Police release video of Exxon robbery; man initially ID’d as victim now a suspect

Police think a man initially thought to be a victim during a gas station robbery on South Kings Highway on Saturday night was actually in on it.

The robbery happened around 10:20 p.m. at an Exxon at the intersection of South Kings Highway and Telegraph Road. A man believed to be a customer knocked on the locked door of the station near closing time and was let in by the clerk. Before the door could shut, another man entered wearing sunglasses and a hood and implied he had a weapon.

The video shows the disguised assailant demanding money from both the clerk and the man who entered first; the man initially thought to be a victim is seen handing over cash. The 25-year-old clerk was not injured during the incident.

The “customer” who pretended to get robbed left the gas station before officers arrived, according to police. 

Subsequently, police said, they determined that the two men were also involved in a robbery about two hours earlier that night at a cigar shop on Leesburg Pike (see video below). 

One suspect is believed to be white or Hispanic, mid 20s, around 6 feet tall and 160 to 180 pounds, and has multiple tattoos. The second suspect is believed to be Hispanic or black, mid 20s, around 5 feet 8 inches, 180 to 220 pounds.

Video released Wednesday shows the men in action; police are asking anyone who recognizes them or has information on the robberies to call Detective D. McAuliffe at 703-246-7800.