Auto Theft Suspect Target Of Police Search In Fairfax City

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Personnel from the Fairfax City and Fairfax County police departments were conducting a search in the vicinity of Draper Drive Park after 9 a.m. on Tuesday for a suspect wanted in an auto theft, according to police. A K9 officer and the Fairfax County Police helicopter assisted in the search.

The Fairfax County police helicopter began circling the area shortly after 9 a.m. and continued circling for about an hour.

A police K9 officer was seen coming out of the woods near the Accotink Creek bridge on Fairfax Boulevard.

By 11 a.m., the helicopter had left and the police personnel returned to service.

"Police continue to investigate but they are not actively searching for the suspects," according to an FCPD spokesman.

Police cruisers from both departments were parked in the median near the road leading to Fairfax High School, at the corner of Fairfax Boulevard and Draper Drive, and near the Wawa store on Fairfax Boulevard. A city cruiser was stationed in the parking lot of Town & Country Veterinary Hospital.

A Fairfax County police cruiser parked on Draper Drive near Kingsbridge Drive had significant damage to its front left corner. The engine was running and an officer was sitting behind the wheel. It was unclear at this time how and if the damaged cruiser was connected to the search.

This is a developing story that will be updated when more details become available.