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Police: Victim slapped, robbed

Palma (Fairfax police)

Fairfax County, Va. –– A Woodbridge man has been charged in connection to a robbery at a Springfield shopping plaza.

On Sunday, a 28-year-old man flagged down a police officer and told him that a man slapped him and then demanded that he hand over all of his cash, said Fairfax police spokesman Richard Henry.

The victim did as he was told and handed over the cash, and the alleged robber fled the scene.

But police today are crediting a fast police response with being able to apprehend their suspect.

William Galileo Martines Palma, 22, of 13409 Orchard Drive in Woodbridge, is charged with robbery and with possession of an open alcoholic beverage, said Henry.

In other crime-related news from the area, police say thieves are targeting airbags in cars parked in the Franconia area.

At least 50 airbags have been stolen from cars broken into in recent months. Only one car that had been broken into in August in the Franconia police district still had its airbag, said Henry.

The number of airbags thefts hit a high in August, with 22. There were six in September.

Those airbags are being stolen in the Backick Road area, where it meets Va. 236, and in area of Kingstowne Boulevard and Kingstowne Village Parkway.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Fairfax County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477.

The Franconia police district in Fairfax County includes the Springfield, Franconia and Newington and Lorton areas.

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