WASHINGTON — Two men have been arrested on charges stemming from the robbery of a Springfield jewelry store Saturday that led to an exchange of gunfire with police and injured a bystander.
Fairfax County police announced the arrests Tuesday.
William Franklin, 24, was arrested at his home in Waldorf, Maryland, at about 9 p.m. Monday, police said.
About the same time, Jasminder Sethi, 26, also of Waldorf, was arrested at an airport in Newark, New Jersey, by agents of the Port Authority Police of New York and New Jersey plus U.S. Customs and Border Protection, police said.
Investigators don’t know where Sethi might have been going or whether he had help getting out of the D.C. area.
“We don’t know if there’s others involved, or not, or if they had this preplanned. These are questions that once we get them into Fairfax County we can hopefully provide as answers for the community,” said Fairfax County Police Chief Edwin C. Roessler.
Police characterize the arrests as just one part of an active investigation with many more questions to answer.
“I would ask any community member who does have video or observed something at the shopping center that day or in the neighborhoods where they tried to make their escape — please call us and give us those tips,” Roessler said.
Anyone with information can call the police department’s Major Crimes Division at 703-246-7800.
Franklin will be charged with robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, police said; Sethi, with robbery. Both suspects were awaiting extradition to Fairfax County.
The robbery happened at the Brookfield Plaza shortly after noon Saturday. The Dubai Jewelry Store was robbed, and a robber began shooting at officers who responded. One of the suspects stole a vehicle, but crashed it trying to flee.
The condition of the passing motorist who was shot is improving.
“They were just in the wrong spot at the wrong time,” said Fairfax County police spokesman Major Ed O’Carroll. “Thankfully, their condition has been upgraded to nonlife threatening.”
WTOP’s Kristi King contributed to this report from Fairfax, Virginia.
