Man arrested after burglarizing 5 businesses in Fairfax County shopping plaza

HYBLA VALLEY, Va. (7News) — A man was arrested after he burglarized five businesses in a Hybla Valley shopping center on Saturday, July 20, according to Fairfax County police.

Officers said they responded to a burglary in progress around 7:49 a.m. at Mount Vernon Plaza in the 7600 block of Richmond Highway.

A person monitoring the office video footage told police the man was still inside. When they arrived, officers found Gabriel Lynch, 22, of no fixed address, at the shopping center with stolen items, according to officials.

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A preliminary investigation revealed that Lynch entered the building through an unlocked fire hatch. He then burglarized five businesses in the plaza, according to officials.

Lynch was arrested and charged with five counts of burglary, destruction of property and grand larceny, officials said. He was taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and is being held without bond.