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Waynesboro Police arrest man responsible for vehicle break-ins with help from good Samaritan

Crystal Graham
good Samaritan Mohammad Saleh Akbari theft vehicle
Mohammad Saleh Akbari

A good Samaritan in Waynesboro intervened in an alleged vehicle break-in on Willowshire Court on Dec. 11 to help police apprehend a suspect.

At 2:26 a.m., Waynesboro Police officers responded to reports of a vehicle break-on. Upon arrival, officers found the suspect, Mohammad Saleh Akbari, being restrained by the resident.

Officers discovered that Akbari had a firearm and a stolen credit card in his possession.

During the investigation, officers determined that Akbari had allegedly concealed the firearm and brandished it during the incident.

Approximately 30 minutes later, officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle on North Augusta Street.

During the investigation, officers developed evidence suggesting Akbari may have been responsible for the theft.

Officers returned to Willowshire Court, where Akbari had been taken into custody, and located the stolen vehicle a short distance from the original break-in site.

Akbari was transported to Augusta Health for medical evaluation.

Akbari was subsequently arrested and charged with the following offenses:

  • 18.2-192 (F) – Credit card theft
  • 18.2-282 (M) – Brandishing a firearm
  • 18.2-308 (M) – Carrying a concealed weapon
  • 18.2-147 (M) – Vehicle trespass
  •  18.2-95 (F) – Grand larceny of a vehicle.

He is currently being held at Middle River Regional Jail without bond.

Anyone who may have had items removed from their vehicles in this time frame are asked to call the Waynesboro Police Department at (540) 942-6675.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.