- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Mount Vernon Today
By the People, for the People
DC Man Charged in 5 Cell Phone Store Burglaries
Fairfax County police say the suspect targeted stores in McLean and Hybla Valley over a one-week period.
Published on Feb. 9, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A 36-year-old Washington, D.C. man has been charged with breaking into five cell phone stores in Fairfax County, Virginia over the course of a week in late January and early February. The suspect, Jimmie L. Williams, allegedly targeted T-Mobile and Boost Mobile locations in the McLean and Hybla Valley areas, stealing cash registers and causing property damage. Fairfax County detectives were able to identify Williams as the suspect through surveillance footage and license plate reader technology.
Why it matters
Cell phone store burglaries have become an increasing problem in the National Capital Region, with thieves targeting these businesses for their cash and valuable inventory. This case highlights the importance of surveillance cameras and license plate readers in helping law enforcement identify and apprehend suspects, as well as the need for continued coordination between local police departments to address cross-jurisdictional crimes.
The details
According to Fairfax County police, the burglaries occurred between January 28 and February 4. On January 28, the suspect broke the front window of a Boost Mobile store in Woodlawn and stole the cash register. Over the next several days, four more cell phone stores in the McLean and Hybla Valley areas were burglarized in a similar fashion, with the suspect targeting T-Mobile and Boost Mobile locations. Detectives reviewed surveillance footage and used license plate reader technology to identify the suspect vehicle, which led them to Jimmie L. Williams. Williams was detained by Metro Police after a traffic stop and has been charged with burglary, destruction of property, and petit larceny.
- On January 28 at 1:57 a.m., officers responded to a burglary at Boost Mobile in Woodlawn.
- Between 2:30 a.m. and 4:06 a.m. on February 4, officers responded to two commercial burglary alarms at businesses in Hybla Valley.
- Detectives determined the same suspect was responsible for the January 28 burglary and the four commercial burglaries near Hybla Valley and in McLean.
The players
Jimmie L. Williams
A 36-year-old man from Washington, D.C. who has been charged with the cell phone store burglaries.
Fairfax County Police
The law enforcement agency that investigated the burglary cases and apprehended the suspect.
Metro Police
The police department that detained Jimmie L. Williams after a traffic stop, allowing Fairfax County detectives to connect him to the burglaries.
What’s next
Detectives are continuing to work with other law enforcement agencies in the National Capital Region to determine if Jimmie L. Williams was involved in any additional burglary cases, which could result in further charges.
The takeaway
This case highlights the importance of surveillance cameras, license plate readers, and cross-agency collaboration in helping police identify and apprehend suspects involved in a string of burglaries across multiple jurisdictions. It also underscores the ongoing challenge of addressing property crimes targeting businesses in the National Capital Region.
