Police Make Arrests in Gas Station Thefts

The W Express gas station on New Hampshire Avenue just got a little safer. In November of theft from auto at the station and - and later recovered - at the gas station. But on Wednesday Takoma Park Police arrested three men they suspect played a part in the rash of theft from autos.

Delvito Rashad Anderson, 19, of  Oxon Hill, Maryland; Charles Bradford Wise, 21, of Fort Washington, Maryland; and a 17-year old male juvenile of Washington, D.C. were arrested and charged with second-degree assault, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, unauthorized removal of property, attempted robbery and theft from $10,000 to $100,000.

Around 8 a.m. Wednesday, Takoma Park Police were conducting a surveillance operation at the gas station in response to the recent rash of theft from autos and auto thefts at the gas stations in that area, police said, when they got a call of a theft from auto from the W Express. The vehicle was seen speeding to D.C. in the southbound lane of New Hampshire Avenue. 

An officer attempted to make a traffic stop of the vehicle, but the driver didn't stop and the a chase ensued. It ended when the suspects crashed into a dump truck on 31st Street, N.E., in the District. The three attempted to run, but we detained by Takoma Park and Metropolitan Police.