A robbery by force late Friday night in the 4800 block of Columbia Pike escalated into a second violent confrontation hours later—and ended with three suspects in custody and a cache of weapons recovered.
Police say the victim was first attacked just before midnight on August 16 while walking along Columbia Pike. According to the report, five men—one of whom the victim knew—allegedly assaulted him, hit him with a bat, and stole his wallet. The suspects then fled in a vehicle. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Just over two hours later, around 2 a.m. on August 17, the situation took a more threatening turn. The victim returned to the area, and police say three of the suspects from the earlier assault approached him again—this time brandishing what appeared to be machetes and making verbal threats. The victim escaped and called 911.
Responding officers quickly located and arrested three suspects—two near the scene and a third along the nearby Four Mile Run Trail. Police recovered two machetes and two bats during the search.
Charged in the attack:
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Marvin Martinez Ruano, 25, of Arlington – Assault and Battery by Mob, Malicious Wounding by Mob, Robbery
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Jeffrey Lovos Luna, 29, of Arlington – Assault and Battery by Mob, Malicious Wounding by Mob, Robbery
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Gustavo Ramirez Flores, 18, no fixed address – Brandishing a Machete, Assault and Battery by Mob, Malicious Wounding by Mob, Robbery
All three are being held at the Arlington County Detention Facility. Police have not said if the remaining two suspects have been identified or are still being sought.
Investigators continue to work the case, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Arlington County Police Department.
The two separate attacks happening just hours apart in the same neighborhood raise fresh concerns about safety along Columbia Pike, especially late at night.