From the Stafford Sheriff’s Office:
On February 14, 2019, at approximately 11:38 p.m., Deputy Whitt responded to a business alarm at Vinny’s Italian Grill located at 397 Garrisonville Road. Upon arrival, the deputy observed that the glass pane on the front door was shattered. A review of surveillance camera footage revealed a subject in a dark colored jacket with a hood and wearing a mask and gloves breaking into the restaurant.
At the same time, Sgt. Colona was responding to a business alarm nearby at Sam’s Pizza and Subs located at 432 Garrisonville Road. Upon arrival, he found the front door had been shattered. While waiting for additional units to arrive, Sgt. Colona observed a male subject inside the business running towards the back door. Sgt. Colona ran around back, prompting the suspect to turn around and bolt out the front door.
Sgt. Colona, Sgt. Reed, and Deputy Connelly gave chase as the suspect headed towards Madison Court. Sgt. Reed observed the suspect take off a mask and gloves and throw them into some bushes as he ran. They were able to apprehend the suspect after Sgt. Reed ordered him to stop. The suspect was then taken into custody without incident.
There was also a third business involved in the incident. Deputy Zotos responded to Stafford Wings located at 432 Garrisonville Road. He found a brick on the ground and damage to the front door of the restaurant. It did not appear that the suspect gained entry to this business.
The suspect was identified as Alex Chirwa, 28, of Woodbridge and he admitted to breaking into the businesses. Units also learned the suspect was wanted out of Prince William County for failure to appear.
Chirwa was incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. He is charged with breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony, possession of burglary tools, wearing a mask in a public place, destruction of property, petit larceny, and drunk in public. He was also served his outstanding warrant.
