Shoplifters At BJ’s Wholesale Club Sprayed Chemical Into Store: Police

WOODBRIDGE, VA — Two shoplifters who sprayed a chemical into a store as they fled sent one person to the hospital and one suspect remains on the run, Prince William County Police said.

Officers were called to BJ’s Wholesale Club, 14123 Noblewood Plaza in Woodbridge, about 11:30 a.m. Friday for a report of a shoplifter. A report by the Prince William County Police Department said as two men left the store with unpaid merchandise, one of the men sprayed an eye irritant into the store before the pair drove away.

Multiple people inside the store were treated at the scene by medical personnel and one person was treated at an area hospital for a non-life-threatening reaction to the spray.

Detectives obtained arrest warrants for the men, identified as Rodney Johnson, 49, of Arlington and
Jhonathan Moises Ugalde Ramos, 27, of Alexandria.

On Monday, Ugalde Ramos was arrested Monday and charged with grand larceny, conspiracy to commit larceny and larceny with intent to sell.

Johnson has not been located by police.

Police describe Johnson as a Black male, 6’0”, 200 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. He is wanted for robbery, grand larceny, conspiracy to commit larceny and larceny with intent to sell.

Anyone with information about Johnson is asked to contact the Prince William County Police Department tipline at (703) 792-7000 or submit a webtip to: pwcva.gov/policetip.