Police announce arrest in September armed robbery at Party Depot

Party Depot in the Beacon Hill Shopping Center was robbed on Sept. 13.

Fairfax County Police announced today that they made an arrest in connection to a September armed robbery at the Party Depot in the Beacon Hill Shopping Center.

Cornelius Anthony Sniper, 29, was taken into custody by police on Sept. 20, three days after the robbery. Sniper is charged with robbery, four counts of abduction, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and use or display of a firearm in commission of a felony.

Police did not say why the arrest was not announced until today.

Sniper allegedly entered Party Depot on Sept. 13, displayed a handgun to two employees and took cash before fleeing. Police responded and searched for the suspect in the area of the Beacon Hill Apartments on Tower Drive, but he was not apprehended.

Police did not specify why Sniper was charged with four counts of abduction, but noted that Virginia code refers to abduction as anytime a person is held against their will.

Sniper, who lives in the 6200 block of North Kings Highway, will have a preliminary hearing on all charges on Dec. 20.