Metro News Release

For immediate release: January 13, 2005

Metro Transit Police arrest armed robber in shooting incident

Metro Transit Police charged Larry C. Russian, 23, of Alexandria yesterday (January 12) in the November 9, 2004, armed robbery and shooting of a another man in a car that was driving through the Huntington Metrorail station parking lot. Russian stole cash and drugs during the incident.

On November 9, 2004, between 3:30 and 4 p.m., a 19-year-old Alexandria man gave two men a ride to the Huntington Metrorail station. When the three men reached the Kiss & Ride lot, one of the subjects produced a gun and shot and robbed the driver of $500 and marijuana. The victim was shot in the leg and was subsequently treated and released from a local hospital.

Metro Transit Police detectives obtained a warrant for the arrest of Larry C. Russian, who appeared in Fairfax County General District Court on a traffic matter yesterday. Fairfax County Sheriff’s deputies were aware of the warrants, and when Russian appeared in court, he was taken into custody. Transit Police investigators then served the warrants on Russian at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.

"While this type of crime is a rare occurrence in the Metrorail system, this is the second arrest of an armed robber that our detectives have made within a week," said Metro Transit Police Chief Polly Hanson. "What I think this says is that we take crime in the Metrorail and Metrobus system extremely seriously. Members of our police force work diligently to prevent crime, and when crime occurs track down criminals, and ensure that our system remains safe."

On January 5, Metro Transit Police arrested a 17-year-old juvenile from the District of Columbia and charged him in connection with stealing another youth’s jacket and backpack at gunpoint on December 16, 2004.

News release issued on January 13, 2005.