There is some sort of major incident happening in Leesburg in the SE quadrant inside the bypass. Crime scene investigators are there and mentioned wanting to get prints from a stolen Jeep Cherokee. VSP is also there with their robot. LCSO is assisting with all the other calls in town.
Just got word from my step-dad that's been listening. Apparently some guy tried to hold up a store, possibly shot someone, then fled and claims to be holding hostages at a Davis or Valley View Ave address. One shot was fired at the residence at some point.
LPD reports via NBC that it started as an armed robbery of a jewelry store on E. Market St.
Subject robbed the jewelry store near the RT7 business split in Leesburg, shot at one employee then fled on foot and did something else to another person. One witness reported that he (or someone that met his description) got in a red sedan and left the area. K9s were called as well as a helo from Fairfax. Later there was a report or an office witnessed someone inside a house at 106 1/2 Royal Ave. As more units arrived, there was a report of shots fired. Police entered the house, which was empty but a gold Jeep Cherokee was stolen. Once the owners were contacted, they reported that there was 1/4 tank of gas and the vehicle had run flat tires. Shortly after, police found the stolen vehicle close the current incident on Valley Ave. Reports of hostages in the house. First, (I think) the suspect entered the garage to maybe steal another vehicle and probably noticed he was surrounded and attempted to enter the house. The residence tried to keep him from entering the house but he did anyway. There are firearms in the house (long rifle and shot gun). Fairfax 1 was airborne the whole time and assisted with the search. FFX1 then landed at Catoctin Elem. School. Command Post was then moved the field behind the school. At one point an office/deputy (again I think) entered in the garage and disabled the vehicle. At this time, LCSO, Leesburg PD and VSP are on scene and have the house surrounded complete with snipers and a camera equipped robot from VSP, SRT and armored vehicle from VSP and LCSO.
When they cleared the first house where the Jeep was stolen, they called for an ID Tech to go to the scene. Shortly after, an office advised the dispatcher that there will be a fax being sent from Sprint. I think they got prints from the house, IDed the suspect, pulled up criminal history and Sprint info and were attempted to track via his cell phone. They also reported that he was known to flee to DC and tends to call in with false 911 calls to move police away from him. While all of this was going on, there was a report of a robbery at another store. Not sure if this was related or not. Also, there were 2 accidents and an attempted suicide all in Leesburg. LCSO is handling non-emergency calls for Leesburg.
~1440 - suspect was agitated with the negotiator and hung up.
1728 - report that the suspect is ready to accept the throw phone. VSP will deliver to the front door.
I think the description is the same for the BB&T robbery that occurred on Monday.
From Loudoun Alerts:
On July 10, 2009 at approximately 11:27am, the Leesburg Police responded to an armed robbery which had just occurred at the Other Kind of Jewelry Store located at 120 East Market Street Suite B in Leesburg. Police Officers are searching for a black male armed with a handgun. The suspect fled on foot and is armed and considered dangerous. The incident is on-going. More information to follow.
1746 - Approaching house with throw phone. I think they were saying the throw phone is on an encrypted channel for their radios. They are also moving some comms to SERT1 (not sure what TG that is but I'll bet it's encrypted)
I think Customs would win.
