01-08-2025
Fairfax man charged with string of kratom thefts
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. () — A 23-year-old man accused of breaking into five businesses across the Fairfax area to steal kratom was arrested last week, the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) said Wednesday.
Authorities charged David Elliot, of Fairfax, with five counts of burglary in connection with the break-ins, which took place near Kings Park West in Fairfax County and across the City of Fairfax.
It all started in the early morning hours of June 26, when FCPD officers were dispatched to Star Tobacco, located at University Mall on Braddock Road, after the store's burglary alarm went off.
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The security company reported that surveillance cameras captured an unknown person breaking into the business and stealing kratom products before fleeing.
About two weeks later, shortly after 5 a.m. on July 13, officers responded to the same Star Tobacco for another commercial burglary alarm. At the scene, they discovered that the store's front door was broken and that someone had once again stolen kratom products.
FCPD detectives launched an investigation, and were contacted by the City of Fairfax Police Department soon after for three similar burglaries that took place in Fairfax. After examining the break-ins, detectives concluded that the same unknown person committed all five burglaries.
Through the investigation, detectives identified Elliot as the suspect. He was taken into custody at his home on July 25 and transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where he was later released on a $5,000 bond.
Fairfax County Police connected him to two more robberies in Fairfax, both at the Star Tobacco location on Braddock Road on June 26 and July 13. Police say he stole Kratom drug products in both instances.
A search warrant was conducted of Elliot's home, and evidence related to the burglaries was seized.
Elliot was charged with multiple counts of burglary and was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where he was released on bond.
'Some of the vape shop burglaries that have occurred have been repeat locations. Kratom is something new that we have seen, stolen most recently. Only in these burglaries that have just occurred,' said Deputy Chief Gregory Fried of the Fairfax County Police Department. 'It has been stolen for individual use, and it's been stolen and sold.'
Police say thefts, along with the resale and misuse of the Kratom drug, pose public safety risks.
Kratom is not regulated by the FDA, but is widely available and advertised for sale at many tobacco and vape shops across Fairfax County. The Virginia Department of Health says it's potentially addictive, with similar properties to opioids. Some people take it to reduce opioid cravings or treat pain.
On Tuesday, the FDA announced plans to consider one of Kratom's byproducts, known as '7-OH,' as a Schedule 1 drug.
The FDA commissioner, Dr. Marty Makary, says researchers don't have good data on how many people have died from using drugs like 7-OH and Kratom.
'We need to be proactive so we don't get caught blindsided again,' he said of the nation's opioid epidemic during a speech Tuesday.
As the investigation continues, FCPD urges anyone with information regarding the burglaries to call the department's detectives at 703-644-7377.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone at 866-411-8477 or
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