STAFFORD SHERIFF POLICE BEAT: Hooded Burglar Alex Chirwa Caught Red-Handed in Pizza Joint; Ex-Con Charged with Spree of Break-ins to Businesses

STAFFORD SHERIFF POLICE BEAT: Hooded Burglar Alex Chirwa Caught Red-Handed in Pizza Joint; Ex-Con Charged with Spree of Break-ins to Businesses

Stafford County Sheriff David P. Decatur

STAFFORD, VA. – Sheriff David Decatur reports that a wanted suspect was arrested on Feb. 14, 2019, by Stafford County Deputies after breaking into several local businesses.

Police say that on February 14, 2019, at approximately 11:38 p.m., Deputy Whitt responded to a business alarm at Vinny’s Italian Grill located at 397 Garrisonville Road.

Commerical strip in Stafford was Chirwa’s playground.

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The deputy observed that the glass pane on the front door was shattered. A review of surveillance camera footage revealed a subject in a dark colored jacket with a hood and wearing a mask and gloves breaking into the restaurant.


Sgt. Colona observed a male subject inside the business running towards the back door. Sgt. Colona ran around back, prompting the suspect to turn around and bolt out the front door.

At the same time, Sgt. Colona was responding to a business alarm nearby at Sam’s Pizza and Subs located at 432 Garrisonville Road. Upon arrival, he found the front door had been shattered. While waiting for additional units to arrive, Sgt. Colona observed a male subject inside the business running towards the back door. Sgt. Colona ran around back, prompting the suspect to turn around and bolt out the front door.

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Sgt. Colona, Sgt. Reed, and Deputy Connelly gave chase as the suspect headed towards Madison Court. Sgt. Reed observed the suspect take off a mask and gloves and throw them into some bushes as he ran. They were able to apprehend the suspect after Sgt. Reed ordered him to stop. The suspect was then taken into custody without incident.

Alex Chirwa caught red-handed in burglary of pizza joint in Stafford County, Va. while on spree of break-ins.

There was also a third business involved in the incident. Sgt. Zotos responded to Stafford Wings located at 432 Garrisonville Road. He found a brick on the ground and damage to the front door of the restaurant. It did not appear that the suspect gained entry to this business.

The suspect was identified as Alex Gerald Chirwa, 28, of Woodbridge and police say he admitted to breaking into the businesses. Units also learned the suspect was wanted out of Prince William County for failure to appear.

Chirwa was incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. He is charged by Deputy D. C. Colona with breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony, possession of burglary tools, wearing a mask in a public place, destruction of property, petit larceny, and drunk in public. He was also served his outstanding warrant.

Chirwa awaits a date with a Judge in Stafford District Court where he likely won’t be wearing a hood or rooting through the building looking for stuff to steal on April 4, 2019.

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Chirwa has numerous criminal and traffic arrests in Prince William County, which may explain why he chose to visit Stafford where less law officers would know him.

Chirwa was found guilty of DWI in Prince William District Court on Feb. 18, 2014, and sentenced to 90 days in jail and a fine of $500. Chirwa was sentenced to five years in prison for a robbery charge in Prince William Circuit Court on May 5, 2011.

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