Two robberies in less than 24 hours in the Groveton area

September 13, 2016 Police and Fire
Police responding to robbery

Police, including a K9 unit, are seen in the Fairhaven neighborhood on Monday after a nearby robbery.

Two suspects were able to slip away after separate daytime robberies in the Groveton area on Monday and Tuesday, with the second incident causing two schools in the area to briefly keep all students and staff inside the building.

The first robbery took place around 5:45 p.m. on Monday in the 6300 block of Richmond Highway. A man pulled a knife on another man in a parking lot and took an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect was followed by the victim into the Fairhaven neighborhood, according to an officer on the scene. Police, including at least one K9 unit and a helicopter, searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect.

On Tuesday morning around 10:20 a.m. another robbery took place in the 6700 block of Richmond Highway. According to police, a man entered an unnamed business and pulled a gun on a pair of employees. He got away with cash and was seen heading in the direction of the Beacon Hill Apartments on Tower Drive.

Police responded to the area and launched a search, directing residents to stay in their homes until told otherwise.

Nearby Groveton Elementary and West Potomac High School were also put into “secure the building status,” which means outdoor activities were cancelled and doors were locked, but inside activities proceeded as normal.

Police were unable to locate the suspect and shortly before noon the police told residents it was safe, and the “secure the building” status was lifted at the schools.

No injuries were reported in either case.

Editor’s note: This post was updated Sept. 13 to clarify the status of the nearby schools during the Sept. 12 robbery. They were not “locked down,” as was originally written. According to an Fairfax Public Schools spokesman, the schools were in “secure the building” status, which means that outdoor activities are canceled and doors are secured, but staff and students are still free to move about inside the school.