Teen Arrested in Rape Investigation Near Manassas Park

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in the rape of a Herndon woman March 28 and two armed robberies at a barbershop in the same area near Manassas Park, Prince William Count Police said Wednesday afternoon.

The name of the Manassas teen is being withheld because of his age, but he is charged with rape, abduction with intent to defile, robbery, using a firearm in commission of a felony and grand larceny.

A search warrant was executed at his home where he was taken into custody by Northern Virginia Gang Task Force members and county police, accroding to PWCPD spokesman Jonathan Perok.

A 31-year-old Herndon woman told investigators she was walking along Maplewood Avenue on Thursday night when a man pointed a gun at her, dragged her into a secluded area behind a Vermont Place townhome and rapped her.

He also made off with the victim's cell phone and cash, investigators said.

Detectives with the Prince William County Police Special Victim's Unit and the Robbery Unit identified the suspect and linked him to the rape as well as two robberies at the Maplewood Barbershop. according to Perok. One of the robberies was the same day that the rape was reported.

Police responded to the first robbery around noon on March 1 after receiving an initial report of two suspicious persons. Employees of a business near the barbershop reported to E-911 dispatch that two unknown, masked men were outside acting suspiciously.

It was later determined that a robbery had taken place, police said.

Barbershop employees reported that the same two men entered the business where one of the men displayed a handgun and demanded money, but became impatient while waiting on the money and took an employees cell phone instead.

Several weeks later, on the same day the rape was reported, witnesses told police a man entered the shop brandishing a handgun.

The man then ordered everyone to leave the store before being confronted by an employee at the back of the business. The employees screamed causing the suspect to run away. No injuries were reported and no money was taken.

The suspect is being held at a juvenile facility. No court date is available.