Fairfax County Police Department issued the following announcement on Jan. 26
Two men have been charged for crimes related to the death of Ahmed Hasheem Ebrahim, 20, of Alexandria, who was reported missing by a family member on Jan. 17. Mr. Ebrahim was last seen on Jan. 15 leaving his home for a friend’s house. Officers spoke to the family member and entered Mr. Ebrahim as a missing person in the National Crime Information Center database. The case was assigned to a detective from our Missing Persons Squad. Detectives learned Mr. Ebrahim’s vehicle was towed on Jan. 18 from an address in the City of Alexandria. When detectives arrived at the tow lot, they immediately noticed blood in the vehicle. Detectives upgraded Mr. Ebrahim to a critical missing person based on the condition of the vehicle and evidence found inside.
Detectives learned on Jan. 20 that Joel Antonio Sarabia, 20, of Fairfax was driving Mr. Ebrahim’s vehicle after his reported disappearance. Detectives obtained a warrant for unauthorized use of a vehicle and driving without an operator’s license based on the evidence recovered from the towed vehicle. Detectives from our Fugitive Track and Apprehension Unit on Jan. 24 took Sarabia into custody.
Detectives determined through interviews that Sarabia and the victim were known to each other. Sarabia and a 17-year-old associate planned to rob Mr. Ebrahim on Jan. 16. Sarabia shot Mr. Ebrahim in the upper body while Mr. Ebrahim was in his vehicle in a parking lot near the 6200 block of Lachine Lane in Lincolnia. Sarabia and his associate then drove the victim in Mr. Ebrahim’s vehicle until they disposed of his body later on Jan. 17 in a dumpster.
Sarabia has since been charged with first degree murder, robbery resulting in death, concealment of a dead body and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He remains held at the Adult Detention Center without bond. The 17-year-old man was arrested on Jan. 25 and charged with robbery resulting in death and concealment of a dead body. He was taken to the Juvenile Detention Center where he remains held.
Detectives identified the dumpster where Mr. Ebrahim’s body was disposed. They have since been in contact with the disposal services company to determine the potential location where Mr. Ebrahim’s body may have been taken. Detectives have coordinated several searches with our Search and Rescue Team to locate Mr. Ebrahim. During the arrest of Sarabia, detectives recovered a firearm and are coordinating additional searches for a second firearm which is believed to be in the City of Alexandria.
Detectives are asking anyone with additional information about this crime to contact them at 703-691-2131, or call 911. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – Type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and by web – Click HERE. Download our Mobile tip411 App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 dollars. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.
Victim specialists from our Major Crimes Bureau’s Victim Services Division have been assigned to ensure that the victims’ family is receiving appropriate resources and assistance.
This is the second homicide of the year in Fairfax County. Year to date, there were no homicides at this point in 2021.
Click here to watch the media briefing regarding the arrest of Joel Antonio Sarabia.
Original source can be found here.
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