Purse Thief Chased Down + Tires Stolen: Loudoun Crime Report

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Authorities in Loudoun County responded to several reported incidents over the holiday weekend, including a purse theft and a sexual assault at a pair of restaurants in Ashburn. Other notable incidents included a woman who told police that a child fired a Nerf-style weapon at her vehicle, and a resident in Sterling who said that four tires were stolen from their vehicle.

In Sterling, there were two instances where all four tires were stolen from a vehicle, according to a report from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. The thefts were reported in the 23000 block of Indian Creek Lane. One theft occurred between Dec. 18 and Jan. 1, while the other took place between Dec. 26 and Dec. 31.

On Dec. 31, authorities responded to a pair of incidents that were reported at restaurants in Ashburn. Around 1 a.m. on Dec. 31, a woman told police that she was assaulted by a man at The Lost Fox on Exchange Street. A security guard at the establishment detained a suspect until police arrived.

The suspect was identified as Ayman A. Ibrahim Sheshtawy, a 36-year-old man from Leesburg. He was charged with sexual battery and was later released on his own recognizance.

At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, deputies responded to The Zone in Ashburn for a reported theft. Witnesses told authorities that a man stole a purse and ran out of the restaurant. A bystander intervened, chased the suspect, and recovered the stolen purse, according to the police report. Deputies located the suspect later.

Police identified the suspect as Derling Gustavo Hernandez, a 25-year-old man from Ashburn. He was charged with one count of grand larceny and is being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.

In Leesburg, a woman reported that someone was firing a weapon at her vehicle while she was driving in the area of Harry Byrd Highway and Charles Town Pike. There was no damage to the woman's vehicle, and a suspect was identified, police said.

Authorities determined that the suspect, a juvenile, fired a Nerf-style gun that shoots water-filled ball projectiles. The case is still under investigation, the sheriff's office said.

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