Herndon Man, 52, Killed During Robbery on Columbia Pike

A 52-year-old Herndon man was killed Friday afternoon during an armed robbery of a Columbia Pike jewelry store, the Arlington County Police Department announced today.

The suspect remains at large and should be considered armed and dangerous, according to a police news release.

Investigators say the man was killed during an armed robbery of a jewelry store in the 3200 block of Columbia Pike at about 4 p.m. Friday.

He did not return home at his usual time, nor did he call to indicate he would be late, according to police.

His family made numerous attempts to call him on his cell phone and at the jewelry store, police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck said. When he didn't answer, they drove to the store and saw his vehicle parked outside, prompting them to call police, Sternbeck said. The family did not go inside.

Investigators discovered the man's body shortly before midnight.

Sternbeck would not release the man's name, saying his family had requested that. He would only identify the man as an employee of the jewelry store.

Sternbeck also would not say what kind of weapon was used in the attack or whether surveillance video indicated the man tried to fight back before he was killed, saying that would "compromise the investigation and locating the suspect."

"The investigation takes time," he said. "It's a process."

Some items were taken, but it isn't yet clear what, Sternbeck said. Officers are taking an inventory of the store to determine what was stolen. It doesn't appear the suspect took any cash, Sternbeck said.

The jewelry store is in a strip mall, though Sternbeck would not say whether anyone in neighboring businesses heard or saw anything. No one else was in the jewelry store at the time of the attack, he said.

Police are maintaining a round-the-clock presence at the jewelry store at this time, Sternbeck said.

Investigators are working with other businesses in the area to determine if any outside surveillance video is available.

Police released a few stills from the jewelry store's security system and are asking for help in identifying the attacker.

Investigators describe the suspect as a man in his mid-50s, about 5 foot, 7 inches tall with a medium build. He was wearing a bright yellow traffic vest at the time of the attack.

Police are asking anyone with information on this incident or the identity of the suspect to contact Detective Richard Conigliaro at 703-228-4193 or investigations@arlingtonva.us.