Shoplifting suspect accused of stealing special police officer's gun arrested

WASHINGTON - A 34-year-old Northeast D.C. man was arrested after police say he stole a gun from a special police officer at a Safeway store.

D.C. police say at around 8:08 p.m. Monday, the special police officer attempted to stop the suspect, identified as Jahil Dailey, after he tried to steal laundry detergent from the grocery store located in the 1600 block of Maryland Avenue.

During a struggle between the officer and the suspect, the officer's gun fell out of his holster. The suspect picked up the weapon and fled the scene.

D.C. police officers and K-9 units responded to the scene to search for the suspect, but were unable to locate him Monday night.

However, police arrested Dailey on Wednesday and have charged him with assault on a police officer, carrying a pistol without a license and two counts of theft two.