A Newport News man who police believe is the so-called “fake-beard robber” was arrested Thursday after police responded to a report of someone stealing items from cars in Newport News.
Ronald Wayne Carr, who is 38, is believed by Newport News Police to be responsible for all of the fake-beard robberies, which occurred in Newport News, Hampton and York County over the past two years. You can read here about how a York County AutoZone employee who confronted the fake-beard robber in November attracted national attention after he was fired for violating AutoZone’s firearms policy.
The fake-beard robber is believed to have robbed over 30 stores across the three jurisdictions, beginning in December 2010. Nobody was hurt in any of the robberies, which primarily took place at fast food restaurants and discount stores.
According to a press release from Newport News Police, officers responded Thursday around 9:15 p.m. to a report of someone possibly stealing items from cars in the area of 16th Street and Garden Drive in Newport News. Officers found the suspect, and after a short foot pursuit, he was taken into custody.
During the investigation into the car larcenies, investigators became suspicious that Carr may have been involved in the fake-beard robberies. Newport News Police have since charged him with 14 counts of abduction, two counts of attempting to commit a felony, 12 counts of robbery and 28 counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony, according to the press release.
York County charged Carr with five counts of abduction, one count of robbery, one count of attempted robbery, two counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of grand larceny. Hampton Police charged Carr with four counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony, two counts of burglary while armed and two counts of robbery.
As the investigation continues, more charges could be forthcoming. Carr is currently being held at the Newport News City Jail.
