Police blotter: Men escape after failed robbery attempt

There was a large police presence in the Belle View area Wednesday evening after two men tried — and failed — to rob another man at gunpoint.

The robbery attempt happened around 6 p.m. in the 1500 block of Belle View Boulevard (see map), police said. The victim had agreed to purchase construction equipment from a man he’d met through an online ad, according to police. However when the victim arrived, he was met by two men — one wielding a gun — who wanted his money.

The victim ran away, escaping unharmed and without giving up any of his property, police said. A large police search, which included the police’s Fairfax 1 helicopter, was unable to locate the two suspects.

Other incidents reported in the Mount Vernon police district in Thursday’s blotter:

Larceny: 2800 block of Beacon Hill Road, wallet from location
Larceny: 6500 block of Brick Hearth Court, wallet from residence
Larceny: 7200 block of Groveton Gardens Road, cell phone from residence
Larceny: 2300 block of Huntington Avenue, beer from business
Larceny: 2300 block of Huntington Avenue, merchandise from business
Larceny: 5900 block of Richmond Highway, liquor from business
Larceny: 6500 block of Tower Drive, cash from residence

Incidents reported in Wednesday’s blotter:

Commercial Burglary: On Tuesday morning around 2:05 a.m. officers responded to a burglary in progress at the Pawn Brokers of Alexandria, located at 7518 Richmond Highway (see map). They arrested a 57-year-old Alexandria man, who was allegedly trying to break into the business with a sledgehammer. He was charged with burglary and possession of burglarious tools.

Larceny: 4400 block of Pembrook Village Drive, packages from location
Larceny: 8600 block of Richmond Highway, liquor from business