Jeffrey Washington
MORENO VALLEY – After a reported hoverboard heist, police officers discovered the suspects in a stolen vehicle.
Monday February 1, 2016, at approximately 3:00 PM, officers from the Moreno Valley Police Department received a report of an armed robbery in the 25300 Block of Aspen Glen Avenue, in the city of Moreno Valley.
When interviewed, the victim stated he was approached by two unidentified males, one of whom was armed. The man reportedly brandished a handgun and demanded the victim give relinquish their hoverboard. The suspects grabbed the hoverboard and fled the area in a silver four-door vehicle. After locating the same silver vehicle at a nearby park, the victim called the police.
Sergeant Brian Holmes reported that officers responded to the area where the vehicle was reported and established a perimeter. Deputies detained several suspects walking away from the silver vehicle. Further investigation revealed the silver vehicle used in the armed robbery was reported stolen from Moreno Valley in December 2015.
Jeffrey Washington, age 23 of Moreno Valley, was arrested and booked into RPDC for armed robbery and possession of a stolen vehicle.
More than being a dangerous piece of equipment to master and a potential fire hazard, hoverboards have proven to be a target for criminals. The average price tag of a hoverboard is $250-400, which has led to an uptick of thefts. In the last six months, there have been hoverboards reported stolen from electronics stores and on the streets at gunpoint around the country. In January, a 12-year old Long Island girl was reportedly shot and killed in retaliation over a stolen hoverboard.
Washington is due in court Thursday, according to jail records.
A juvenile petition will be filed against the 17-year-old juvenile for armed robbery and possession of a stolen vehicle.
