Chantilly Man One of Three in Custody After Armed Holdup of McDonald's

By Jennifer van der Kleut

A Chantilly man is one of three suspects in custody after attempting an armed robbery Wednesday of a McDonald's in Herndon that prompted police to pursue the trio into Reston.

Around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a report of an attempted armed robbery in the drive-through of the McDonald's at 1071 Elden St. in the town of Herndon.

According to Town of Herndon Police, unknown suspects had threatened a drive-though employee with a gun. The robbery was reportedly "unsuccessful," and the suspects fled in their vehicle.

Around 4:45 a.m., Town of Herndon police reportedly spotted the suspects' vehicle, still in the 1000 block of Elden Street. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspects fled.

The officers pursued the vehicle all the way into Reston.

When the vehicle reached the 2300 block of Dulles Station Boulevard, the suspects stopped the car and they fled on foot, into the woods.

With the assistance of Fairfax County police officers, along with helicopter and canine units, the three men were located in the woods, and taken into custody.

After the suspects were taken into custody, Town of Herndon Police learned that another McDonald's, located at 330 Elden Street, had been robbed just moments after the first, around 4:40 a.m. 

During that robbery, three suspects entered the restaurant and brandished firearms, and demanded cash from the clerk.  The suspects also took a cell phone from a customer in the restaurant.  

Upon further investigation, it was determined that the same three suspects were responsible for both incidents.

Fortunately, there were no injuries in either robbery.

The suspects have been identified as Samuel Tyler Johnson, 19, of Chantilly;  Jonathan Andrew Jones, 19, of Aldie and Darius Trenny Foster, 18, also of Aldie.

Each of the men was charged with two counts of armed robbery and one count of attempted armed robbery. Each was also charged with one count of abduction and one count of wearing a mask. All three men were also charged with three counts each of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.  

Lt. Ron Thunman of Town of Herndon Police told Patch that the abduction charge stemmed from things the suspects said to an employee and a customer in the store at 330 Elden St., but clarified that no one was taken against their will from the store.

The three suspects are currently being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.