Trick-Or-Treaters Robbed At Gunpoint In Fredericksburg: Police

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A masked group of five robbers held two teenage trick-or-treaters at gunpoint in the City of Fredericksburg, authorities said.

The victims did not report any injuries in the robbery. Witnesses initially reported that gunshots were fired, but police officers did not find any evidence of a shooting, the Fredericksburg Police Department said.

One suspect, a 15-year-old girl, was arrested after witnesses said she crashed the robbers' getaway car. She is charged with reckless driving, improper backing, driving without a license, robbery, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

The girl is being held at the Rappahannock Regional Juvenile Detention Center. She has not been publicly named due to a Virginia law that protects the identities of minors.

Investigators have not provided any description of the four other robbery suspects.

The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday on Farrish Lane, according to the police report. A pair of teenage trick-or-treaters said they were surrounded by five masked people who demanded the shoes off their feet. The victims complied, ran to a Honda Civic.

The driver of the Honda sped away and hit a vehicle on Idlewild Boulevard. Witnesses saw what happened and stopped the vehicle in a roundabout, authorities said.

The driver, the 15-year-old girl, remained at the scene. The four other people in the car scattered, the police department said.

Anyone with more information about the robbery can contact the police department at 540-373-3122 and reference report number 2023-006184.