ARLINGTON, VA — An Arlington man was arrested Tuesday after police responded to a reported larceny in the 4200 block of Fairfax Drive, according to Arlington County police.
Officers were dispatched shortly before 12:30 p.m. after a male suspect entered a business, collected merchandise and left without paying, according to police. When an employee confronted him outside the business, the suspect made threatening statements and fled on foot.
After officers broadcast a lookout, a responding officer found a person matching the suspect’s description near Fairfax Drive and North Stuart Street and tried to take him into custody, police said. The suspect ignored commands, struck an officer and resisted arrest before additional officers helped take him into custody, according to police.
No injuries were reported.
Police identified the suspect as Walter Edgar Viera, 35, of Arlington. Police said he was not forthcoming with his identifying information while in custody.
Viera was charged with assault on police, obstruction of justice and robbery, according to police. Court information in the attached image shows the charges filed in Arlington General District Court as robbery: threat, assault on a law enforcement or correctional officer, and obstructing or resisting without force.
Viera was arraigned Wednesday morning in Arlington General District Court and had a bond hearing set for 9 a.m. on Thursday, according to court documents. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on July 28.
Both the robbery and assault charges are Class 6 felonies. If convicted on either of these charges, Viera faces a possible sentence of one to five years in prison, or up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500, according to Virginia Law.
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