5 arrested after multiple businesses burglarized across DC; police increase presence

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said five people were arrested after multiple businesses were burglarized overnight across D.C.

Police said the suspects destroyed property and broke into stores in the CityCenter area and Georgetown areas including businesses in the H Street Corridor, Logan Circle and Columbia Heights.

As a result, MPD said it had increased its presence across the impacted areas.

On Tuesday morning, multiple police officers could be seen in the CityCenter area and several streets were blocked off.

Police said detectives are investigating seven burglaries and six destruction of property offenses across the District.

Two of the businesses that were burglarized during the chaos were Morgenthal Frederics and Gucci.

As the investigation continued, MPD said officers arrested five people for charges including burglary and fleeing from law enforcement.

According to MPD, those arrested and charged include:

• 27-year-old Alton Pernell Jr. of Northeast D.C and 32-year-old Husan Thurston of Southeast D.C. were charged with Burglary Two after attempting to flee from a Gucci store in Northwest with stolen merchandise.
• 24-year-old Sabrina Kenny of Alexandria, Va., 23-year-old Jasmine Clark of Southwest D.C. and 24-year-old Alnaja Jackson of Southeast D.C. were charged with Burglary Two, Resisting Arrest and Fleeing from Law Enforcement after stealing $20,000 in merchandise from the Black Cat in Northwest.

On H Street in CityCenter, glass could be seen shattered across the floor inside Morgenthal Frederics.

On Tuesday morning, the front of the businesses were boarded up.

Another one of the seven businesses that were vandalized overnight was Hop, Cash & Barrel on Wisconsin Avenue.

There, DC News Now’s crew found the business’s front door smashed and police tape blocking the store’s entrance.

“As a result of the incidents overnight, MPD will continue to maintain an increased police presence throughout the city,” said police in a statement. “MPD does not tolerate acts of violence or destruction of property.”

These incidents happened hours after MPD released the body camera footage from officers who shot and killed 26-year-old Justin Robinson on Sept. 1. DC News Now reached out to MPD to confirm if the vandalisms were connected to the video being released; however, police said the incidents remained under investigation.

In a post on X , D.C.’s Deputy Mayor Lindsey Appiah said:

While we support the right to peacefully protest, crime and violence will not be tolerated in our city.”

Anyone with additional information about the burglaries or has a video to share with the police, is encouraged to call 202-727-9099 or text 50411. Both calls and texts can remain anonymous.

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