On August 8, 2018 at 11:55 AM, Newport News Communications received an alarm activation at the Virginia Educators Credit Union, located in 800 block of Main Street. At 11:57 a.m., the call was upgraded to a robbery. Officers arrived on scene and spoke to witnesses who stated a male suspect entered the bank, armed with a firearm. He jumped the counter and took an undisclosed amount of money.
At the time of the robbery there were five Newport News Public School students taking a financial class at the bank. The students were in a separate room of the bank during the robbery and there were no injuries to bank employees or the students.
Officers conducted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle in the area of 74th Street and Chestnut Avenue and the suspect, Oscar Von Alston II, 31-years-old of the 1600 block of Pembroke Place in Newport News, was taken into custody at 12:08 p.m.
“Thank you to our officers and detectives who worked diligently to apprehend the suspect in less than 15 minutes from when the alarm activation was received. Because of their attentiveness and expertise, the victims have closure and know the person responsible is in custody,” said Chief Steve Drew.
Mr. Alston was charged with Robbery x 2, Use of Firearm in Commission of a Felony x 2, Wearing a Mask in Certain Places, and Bank: Entering Armed with Intent to Commit Felony. The Newport News Fire Department also charged Mr. Alston with Bomb/Burn Threat: Accused Over 15 years of age x 3.