VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A Norfolk man shot at police after leaving a Kohl’s in Virginia Beach with stolen merchandise, police say.
It happened Friday, Oct. 20 just before 9 p.m. Police received a call from Kohl’s loss prevention about a shoplifting incident at the store located at Pembroke Mall. They reported that the suspect, later identified as 24-year-old Tyler Davis, had previously shoplifted from the store and was back, attempting to steal more items, police said.
Davis left the store on foot. An officer quickly responded to the scene and began following Davis in his police car when Davis fired a gun at the officer, police said.
At least one round hit the police car, but the officer was not hit and did not return fire, police said. The officer was eventually able to take Davis into custody in a nearby parking lot with the help of other responding officers, police said.
Davis has been charged with attempted aggravated murder, use of a firearm by a violent felon, conspiracy to commit grand larceny and grand larceny.
Police say Davis was accompanied by Hayley Fernandez, 26, of Virginia Beach and Jaclyn Anderson, 22, of Portsmouth.
Fernandez was arrested for an outstanding felony warrant and charged with conspiracy to commit grand larceny.
Anderson faces conspiracy to commit grand larceny and possession of a schedule I/II narcotic charges. WAVY picked up court documents in reference to this case. The documents state that police detained Anderson inside the store and discovered she had a smoking device containing meth.
Brandon Davis was also charged with conspiracy to commit grand larceny in connection to the crime, the Commonwealth’s attorney saying he was a supposed getaway driver.
Police stated in the court paperwork that the stolen items had a value of almost $2,000.
“This incident underscores the commitment of our officers to serve and protect this community, as well as the fact there is no such thing as a ‘routine’ call,” said Police Chief Paul Neudigate. “We are incredibly grateful that our officer was not killed or injured, and we ask the community and the rest of our criminal justice system to send the message that attacks on law enforcement will not be tolerated.”
In court Thursday, the lead detective in the case said both Foster and Davis told her they were a part of the Gangster Disciples gang.
The officer who Davis allegedly shot at was also among the list of people who tesitified.
He said he responded to the Kohls and saw someone, who he identified as Davis, running to the parking lot from the store while a worker pointed him out.
After he tried to corral him with his car, the officer stepped out of his vehicle then said Davis shot at him three times while running away.
A VBPD forensics specialist testified there were two defects on the patrol car after this.
Multiple surveillance videos were shown in court, including one where the lead detective said Foster can be seen running away from the supposed getaway car as all of this was unfolding.
Davis was arrested that night while Foster was arrested four days later.
Foster’s trial is set for May 1st.
Davis’s defense and the Commonwealth will decide on his trial date on March 21st.
Check WAVY.com for the latest updates.