Amelia Veneziano, The Examiner
2007-05-30 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

Arlington -

A reported Arlington bank robbery Tuesday morning led to a police chase over the 14th Street Bridge, an arrest and a search of the Potomac River for money and a weapon.

A call reporting destruction of property came in to the Arlington Police Department at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, police spokesperson Steve Gomez said. A man had attempted to enter United Bank at 2309 S. Ninth St., near Arlington Cemetery, through an employee entrance, then broke a window to gain entry, Gomez said.

The man was still inside when a police officer arrived, Gomez said. The man came out, got into a white Lexus and drove off, Gomez said. The officer followed.

After police received a report of an armed robbery at the bank, the officer tried to pull the vehicle over. A police chase ensued, winding through Arlington and over the 14th Street Bridge, ending in D.C., Gomez said.

“The officer lost the suspect once, but we got back on him again quickly,” Gomez said. “Witnesses said he threw loose money and a weapon out his car window, off the bridge into the Potomac.”

Once in the District, the Lexus crashed into a cement embankment. A brief chase began on foot before Capitol Police apprehended the man, Capitol Police public information officer Kimberly Schneider said.

The man was in an area hospital Tuesday with unknown injuries. Charges had not been filed as of press time.

Though no other vehicles were hit during the chase, one was involved in a single-car accident when the driver swerved to avoid the oncoming Lexus, Gomez said. No injuries were reported.

Authorities used divers, boats and a helicopter to search the Potomac for evidence.