Police: Four Arrested After Drug-Related Armed Robbery Attempt

Police have charged three Woodbridge man and one Arlington man after a reported drug-related attempted armed robbery the night of March 6, Prince William County Police spokesperson Jonathan Perok said. 

Woodbridge residents Jackson Arthur Cristler, 18, Daniel Joseph Moore, 18, Christopher David Johnson, 19, and Arlington resident Troy Lamont Morris, 21 were arrested that night.

Police initially responded to the 14200 block of Smoketown Road for the report of an attempted robbery.

"The victim reported to police that he was sitting in his vehicle in the above area when he was approached by four unknown men," Perok said. "One of the suspects opened the driver’s side door, displayed a handgun, and demanded money. The other two men got into the vehicle. One suspect got in the passenger seat while the other, also armed with a handgun, got into a rear seat. The suspect in the rear seat struck the victim to his head with the handgun causing the weapon to discharge into the dashboard."

After the gunshot, three of the men reportedly fled in a vehicle, while the fourth man ran away on foot. The victim was had minor injuries. Police found the vehicle near Essex Drive and Cumberland Drive and arrested the three men.

"During the investigation, detectives from the Robbery Unit determined that the victim, Morris, had arranged to sell the suspects ecstasy pills," Perok said. "Once the suspects arrived to meet the victim, they attempted to rob the victim. The suspect, Cristler, was determined to be the armed suspect at the driver’s side of the vehicle while Johnson got into the passenger seat. The unknown suspect was reportedly the one that got into the rear seat and struck Morris with the handgun."

Moore was also reportedly present, Perok said. Police determined that one of the handguns allegedly used was stolen in August 2011 from a house. After an investigation, the three initial suspects and the victim were arrested. 

Cristler was charged with attempted robbery, conspiracy to commit a robbery, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and possession of a stolen firearm.

Moore was charged with attempted robbery, conspiracy to commit a robbery, and use of a firearm in commission of a felony.

Johnson was charged with attempted robbery and conspiracy to commit a robbery.

Morris was charged with possession of a schedule I or II narcotic.

The court date for all four men is April 17. They are being held without bond.