Police Arrest Seven Teens in Pizza Robbery

Image: John Harper III (PWCPD)

Seven teenagers attempted to rob a pizza delivery driver Tuesday night in Dale City, but police rounded up and arrested all of the suspects.

The group of boys conspired to have pizzas delivered to a vacant home in the 4800 block of Kempair Court and then hold up the delivery man, according to the Prince William County police. There were no injuries in the robbery, and all of the suspects are being held at the Prince William County Juvenile Detention Center.

Police responded to the scene at 10:35 p.m. Tuesday, a police report said. The robbery victim, a 25-year-old Woodbridge man, told police that when he arrived at the vacant home, he was confronted by a group of men. One of them, identified as John Harper III, pulled out a handgun and robbed the victim of money and the pizzas.

A police dog led officers to a nearby home where several suspects, including Harper, were hiding. Police detectives determined that Harper and two other juveniles had gone to the nearby vacant home with the intent to rob the pizza delivery driver.

Harper, of no fixed address, was charged with robbery, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit a felony and escape without force, the police report said. He’s being held without bond, and his next date in court is Aug. 4.

After Harper was processed at the Garfield Station in Woodbridge, he was being escorted to a police cruiser when he tried to flee on foot. He was quickly apprehended without further incident, the police said.

The two juveniles who allegedly helped Harper rob the delivery driver were charged with robbery and conspiracy to commit a felony, police said. Both are from Woodbridge; one is 16, the other is 14.

The four other juveniles were either present and/or assisted in planning the robbery, police said. Each was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. They include a 16-year-old from Alexandria and three teens from Woodbridge: a 13-year-old, a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old.