FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A 22-year-old Spotsylvania County man has been arrested in connection with two robberies at a massage business where employees were assaulted, including one worker who suffered broken facial bones, according to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office.
Elijah Tishawn Thomas Deane was arrested Thursday and charged with armed robbery, two counts of abduction, grand larceny and two counts of assault and battery, authorities said. Court records list Deane with a Fredericksburg mailing address in the 22408 ZIP code, which is in Spotsylvania County.
The charges stem from an investigation into incidents at Taiji Works, 4705 Plank Road, Suite 207, beginning in March. The Sheriff's Office said additional charges are pending.
Deputies first responded to the business March 16 after a reported robbery. Investigators said a man entered the business and paid for a massage before requesting a refund.
The man followed an employee to an area where money was kept, punched one worker in the face and stole cash and checks before fleeing, according to the Sheriff's Office. Two employees were injured, including one who suffered broken bones in their face.
Deputies returned to Taiji Works on April 25 for a second reported robbery. Employees told investigators that a man again paid for a massage before requesting a refund.
During the confrontation, the man displayed a firearm, threatened an employee and forced the employees into a back room while demanding money, according to authorities. He left with cash and documents belonging to the employees.
Both employees reported being assaulted and identified the man as the same person involved in the March incident, according to the Sheriff's Office.
On Sept. 19, an employee recognized the suspect when he' returned to Taiji Works and kept the business door locked, authorities said.
The man left but returned about an hour later and threw a large rock through the front door, according to the Sheriff's Office. He fled after employees and a customer inside began yelling.
Detectives used nearby Flock cameras, security footage and a phone number during their investigation to identify a suspect, authorities said.
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With assistance from the Stafford County Sheriff's Office, deputies executed a search warrant Sept. 24 in the 2200 block of Mallard Landing Drive in Spotsylvania County and arrested Deane.
Spotsylvania General District Court records show six cases filed against Deane on Thursday: felony robbery using a firearm, two felony counts of abduction by force or intimidation, felony grand larceny and two misdemeanor counts of assault and battery.
The court records list Deane as being in custody. An attorney review is scheduled for Oct. 1. Preliminary hearings on the felony charges are scheduled for Nov. 18, while adjudicatory hearings on the two misdemeanor charges are scheduled for the same day.
The Sheriff's Office said additional charges are pending.
Anyone with information can contact Spotsylvania Crime Solvers at 1-800-928-5822 or 540-582-5822 or submit a tip through P3Tips or Spotsylvania Crime Solvers.
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