4 Murder Suspects Caught
OFFICIAL Statement.
Four suspects are in custody in connection with the March 22nd homicide and brutal attack that occurred in Lansdowne.
Darwin G. Bowman, 18, of Annandale, VA, and a 17-year-old male from Sterling, VA, are charged with Capital Murder of Mr. William Bennett. Capital Murder Charges are forthcoming against Anthony R. Roberts, 20, of Middleburg, VA. He is currently being held on charges surrounding the burglary of Loudoun Guns on April 15, 2009 in Leesburg, VA. Roberts is also a suspect in a series of burglaries that occurred in the downtown business district of Middleburg, VA in March. A fourth adult male suspect, an 18-year-old from Sterling, VA is also in custody on unrelated charges. All suspects are currently being held without bond.
The suspects are alleged to be either members of or associated with an established criminal street gang. It does not appear the alleged crime committed against the Bennett's were part of a gang initiation or specific gang-ritual.
Without commenting upon the evidence or motive in the case, the allegations of capital murder in Virginia carries with it the requirement of associated felonies that tend to show motive.
Further charges for the brutal attack of Mrs. Cynthia Bennett are pending and more arrests are possible.
On the morning of March 22, 2009, Sheriff's Deputies were called to the area for a report of a suspicious vehicle. A Loudoun Deputy arrived on the scene and discovered the body of Mr. Bennett along the roadside. His wife was discovered on the opposite side of Riverside Parkway near a wooded area. She was airlifted from the scene and remains hospitalized.
Since March 22nd Loudoun Sheriff's Investigators have executed over 12 search warrants and conducted over 100 interviews. During the course of an ongoing investigation from a February 28, 2009 mob assault, Sheriff's Investigators uncovered evidence tying that case to the Lansdowne homicide and attack.
Official Thanks from Sheriff to the following:
FBI
FAIRFAX POLIC DEPARTMENT
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
U.S. SECRET SERVICE
NORTHERN VIRGINIA GANG TASK FORCE
IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT
DEPT. of Forensic Science-State Crime Lab
LOUDOUN CRIME COMMISSION
The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office would like to acknowledge the FBI, the Fairfax Police Department, the CIA, the U.S. Secret Service, the Northern Virginia Gang Task Force, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Department of Forensic Science-State Crime Lab, for their assistance on this case. We would also like to thank the Loudoun Crime Commission for their assistance in establishing a reward fund. The agency would further like to acknowledge the community as a whole, your tips and support during this time were greatly appreciated.
UNQUOTE end of official statement
Photographs of Suspects, ARTCLES AND VIDEO POSTED BY INDEPENDENT newspaper and others
VIDEO: Sheriff Simpson Addresses the Public
http://www.loudouni.com/news/2009-04-25/sheriff-simpson-addresses-public
Loudoun County Sheriff Steve Simpson addresses additional questions concerning motive, suspects, and how the arrest of four individuals have impacted the community of Lansdowne and the county of Loudoun.
Arrests Made in the Lansdowne Murder
While some may feel less a sense of relief at the arrests, others may become more uneasy as it appears that the Lansdowne Attack, and other recent crimes in Loudoun, can now be tied to gang activity.
http://www.loudouni.com/news/breaking-news/2009-04-25/arrests-made-lansdowne-murder
Arrests Made In Beating Death; Lansdowne Attack Connected To Crime Spree
http://www.leesburg2day.com/articles/2009/04/25/news/fp207arrests042509.txt
Four arrests in Bennett murder
http://www.easterner.com/