Police say deceased Triangle man committed five armed robberies.

Man Killed in 'Justified Homicide' Linked to 7-Eleven Armed Robbery or Robberies

Police determined deceased participated in string of similar armed robberies

Posted

Following the justified homicide that occurred at a residence located in the 4100 block of Hoffman Drive in Woodbridge on July 22, detectives with the Prince William County Police Department’s Violent Crimes Bureau, with assistance from our Federal partners at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, were able to connect the firearm found in possession of the deceased to a recent armed robbery at the 7-Eleven located on Dale Boulevard in Woodbridge on July 16.

The deceased was identified as Azhar Laurent Smart, 20, of Triangle.

"During the robbery, the lone suspect fired a round after forcing taking money from the business. No injuries were reported. The shell casing collected at the scene was compared to the weapon recovered at the July 22 homicide scene and was determined to be a match," said Sgt. Perok. 

Detectives have been investigating the robbery in connection to four additional robberies that have occurred at other 7-Eleven locations in the Woodbridge and Dumfries areas since late June as involving the same suspect based on the description, clothing worn at the time, and modus operandi (MO) observed in the incidents.

The other robberies occurred at 7-Eleven locations on Fraley Boulevard in Dumfries on July 5, where a shot was also fired, and locations on Cloverdale Road on July 3, Darbydale Avenue on June 29, and Minnieville Road on June 28.

Detectives became increasingly concerned over the robberies escalating after the suspect was found to have discharged a handgun during the two more recent incidents. Forensic examination of the shell casing recovered on July 5 is ongoing.

Detectives have confirmed the shell casing is the caliber and from the same manufacturer as the previous robbery on July 16.

At the time of the July 22 homicide, the deceased was wearing clothing that was also observed in the reported robberies.

Following the investigations into this robbery series, all known evidence indicates the deceased was responsible for all five incidents.

Due to the suspect being deceased, these cases will be cleared by exemption, death of offender. Currently, there is no other known connection to the robbery series and the Hoffman Drive homicide.

Armed Robberies, as per Prince William Police reports previously released: 

On July 16 at 3:20 a.m., officers responded to the 7-Eleven located at 4800 Dale Boulevard in Woodbridge (22193) to investigate a robbery.

"Two employees of the store reported to police that an unknown man entered the business and approached them at the counter where he then brandished a firearm and demanded money," reported a Prince William PIO. 

During the encounter, the suspect fired a round into a nearby display case before fleeing the store with an undisclosed amount of money.

The suspect was last seen fleeing on foot towards Delaney Road. A shell casing was recovered at the scene. No injuries were reported.

A police K-9 searched the area for the suspect who was not located. A similar incident was reported on July 5 at the 7-Eleven on Fraley Boularvd in Dumfries.

On July 5 at 4:02 a.m., officers responded to the 7-Eleven located at 18075 Fraley Boulevard in Dumfries (22026) to investigate a robbery.

"An employee of the store reported to police that an unknown masked man entered the business and approached the counter where the suspect brandished a firearm and demanded money," said police.

"During the encounter, the suspect fired a round into the display case behind the counter before fleeing the store."

The store was occupied by additional patrons at the time of the robbery, no injuries were reported. An undisclosed amount of money was reported missing. The only suspect description is an unknown race male wearing all black clothing.

 On July 3 at 2:23 a.m., officers responded to the 7-Eleven located at 14820 Cloverdale Road in Woodbridge (22193) to investigate a robbery.

An employee of the store reported to police that an unknown masked man entered the store and walked around for a short time before approaching the counter.

When the suspect approached the counter, he brandished a firearm at the employee and demanded money.

The suspect fled on foot prior to police arriving at the location. A police K-9 searched the area for the suspect who was not located. No injuries were reported. An undisclosed amount of money was reported missing.

On June 29 at 1:14 a.m., officers responded to the 7-Eleven located at 14797 Darbydale Avenue in Woodbridge (22193) to investigate an alarm activation.

An employee of the business reported to police that while near the back of the store, an unknown man entered the store and approached him.

During the encounter, the suspect retrieved a firearm from his waistband and demanded money.

The employee walked to the registers in the front of the store while the suspect continued pointing the gun towards him.

The suspect fled the business on foot prior to police arrival. No injuries were reported. A police K-9 searched the area for the suspect who was not located. An undisclosed amount of money was reported missing.

On June 28 at 2:45 a.m., officers responded to the 7-Eleven located at 14410 Minnieville Road in Woodbridge (22193) to investigate a robbery.

An employee of the business reported to police that an unknown man entered the store and approached the counter.

During the encounter, the suspect retrieved a firearm from his waistband and brandished it towards the victim before demanding money from the register.

The suspect fled on foot for a short distance before getting into a dark colored sedan and fleeing the area. No injuries were reported. An undisclosed amount of money was reported missing.

*Headline changed to reflect police have closed the case on robbery investigations.  (8/2/2021)

deceased, 7-Eleven, Dumfries, justified homicide, Prince William County Police, police, string of robberies, robberies, armed robberies, shot, home invasion, June, July, 2021, July 22,