Hybla Valley, Springfield Armed Robberies Lead To Undercover Cop Bust

SPRINGFIELD, VA — Two suspects are facing charges after armed robberies in Springfield and Hybla Valley and a bust by undercover detectives, according to Fairfax County Police.

The first incident happened around 12 p.m. on Saturday in the parking lot of 6600 Springfield Mall in Springfield. The victim arranged a meetup to purchase a tablet through an online marketplace. But when the victim arrived, a suspect entered the vehicle, showed a gun and took cash, police say.

Another armed robbery happened around 3:45 p.m. in the 7500 block of Poinsettia Drive in Hybla Valley. Police say the victim arranged to buy a cell phone through the same online marketplace as the Springfield victim. As the victim got out of the car, the suspect showed a gun and took cash, according to police. Police believe the suspect entered the vehicle, but the suspect ended up in a Toyota Prius and leaving the victim's car.

The police department's Major Crimes Bureau and Organized Crime and Intelligence Bureau worked to investigate two social media accounts used in the two robberies. Through the social media accounts, detectives contacted the suspect and arranged an undercover purchase.

At the undisclosed location, undercover detectives arrested two suspects, Donavan Rice, 29, of Washington, D.C. and Ronnell Delonte Garris, 28, of Maryland. Rice was charged with two counts of robbery with firearm, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, carjacking, and felon in possession of a firearm. Garris was charged with two counts of robbery with a firearm. Police believe Garris drove Rice to the Springfield and Hybla Valley armed robberies. Both were taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and held without bond.