Fairfax County Police officers took two men into custody in Mount Vernon on Wednesday just hours after the duo allegedly stole a gaming machine from a 7-Eleven, the latest in a string of similar thefts at area convenience stores.
The police apprehended Maryland residents Leonard Jones, 59, and, Terrell Hardy, 35, after officers searching the area located the pair driving a silver truck — with gaming machine parts “in plain view in the truck’s bed” — that matched the description of the getaway vehicle, according to a Fairfax County police release.
Jones and Hardy were found wearing clothing that matched surveillance footage from the 7-Eleven, police said. Authorities gathered additional evidence from inside the vehicle after taking the duo into custody without incident. Police said the tags on the truck matched a partial tag from a previous bulletin.
Wednesday’s burglary, which took place at the 7-Eleven at 8434 Frye Rd., mirrors a series of recent thefts involving convenience store gaming machines in Alexandria, Springfield, and McLean, police said.
Similar thefts started in December, FCPD officials said Tuesday.
“In each incident, thieves enter the store and forcibly remove the devices or open the machines to steal money,” police said.
Jones has been charged with grand larceny, possession of burglarious tools, two counts of destruction of property, and petit larceny. Hardy faces charges of grand larceny, destruction of property, and simple assault. The two have not been in the earlier incidents.
Police are encouraging anyone with information to call the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800. Anonymous tips can also be submitted via the Fairfax Crime Solvers website.
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