Suspect taken into custody by police
Suspect taken into custody by police
PHOTO:
FBI and ATF processing the scene at Courthouse Plaza in Arlington, Va. where the suspect was arrested (Bob Barnard / FOX 5 WTTG)ARLINGTON, Va. -
Arlington Police have arrested a suspect after a man threw a Molotov cocktail into the food court at the Ballston Common mall during the lunch rush.
Police say nobody was injured during Thursday's incident, which occurred shortly after noon. Police evacuated the mall after the bottle shattered. It did not ignite.
"It was a rude, crude incendiary device," says ATF Special Agent in Charge Rich Marianos. "There was nothing sophisticated about it whatsoever."
A suspect was arrested a few hours later near the Courthouse Metro station; authorities would not release his name Thursday.
"He was just eating Cheesecake Factory and he didn't offer any resistance nor did he cooperate," explains witness Andrew McCarry.
FBI spokeswoman Jacqueline Maguire said charges will likely be filed as soon as possible.
"Anyone who intends to do this or is thinking of doing this, we ask the public to remain vigilant," Maguire told reporters. "We will catch you. We will go after you and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law."
According to police, a man wearing a gray jacket dropped a 40-ounce bottle, with a lit fuse attached, onto the food court.
Three similar bottles were found on the mall's second level.
Police are asking anyone with any knowledge of this incident to call the non-emergency line at 703.558.2222.
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