Fourth arrest made in slaying connected to officer

A fourth suspect has been arrested in the fatal robbery attempt earlier this month involving a D.C. police officer, authorities said Tuesday.

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Jarvis Lamont Clark, 19, of Temple Hills, Md., on Monday in Fort Washington, Md. Mr. Clark has been charged with first-degree felony murder while armed in the Dec. 1 death of Arvell Alston of Temple Hills, Md.

Officials say Mr. Clark, Mr. Alston and several others plotted the robbery, with Officer Reginald Jones acting as a lookout and providing protection at the scene in the 4300 block of Fourth Street Southeast.

Police think Mr. Alston, 40, was shot to death accidentally in the botched crime by another alleged accomplice, Avrel Crawford, who also is Mr. Alston’s son.

Officer Jones, 40, of Upper Marlboro, Md., was arrested Dec. 15 and has been charged with felony murder in connection with the case. He is being held without bail.

Mr. Crawford and alleged accomplice Rashun Montea Parker, 27, were arrested earlier this month and also have been charged with felony murder.

Police are looking for a fifth person in connection with the crime — Lynn Daniel Wilkerson, 33, of Cheltenham, Md.

An affidavit states Officer Jones, a six-year veteran assigned to the department’s Narcotics and Special Investigations Division, met Nov. 30 with the men at a car-detailing shop in Suitland, Md., to arrange the armed carjacking.

Authorities said Officer Jones drove two of his accomplices in his police cruiser to the scene of the robbery at about 9 p.m. and cleared out people loitering in the area. One accomplice exited the cruiser, the affidavit states, and joined in the armed attack as Officer Jones and the other accomplice stayed inside the vehicle and watched.

The intended victim, a suspected drug dealer, resisted, then a scuffle ensued and shots were fired.

“I’m either gonna have to leave the area or get out and start shooting,” Officer Jones said to the accomplice in his car, according to the affidavit. The affidavit states the police cruiser left the scene as a female witness ran to the officer for assistance.

Officer Jones later was identified by one of the suspects, the affidavit states, as he walked out of the car-detailing shop in Suitland. Officer Jones got into a silver pickup with Virginia plates and drove off. The truck was leased to his narcotics division, the affidavit states.

Jeffrey Anderson contributed to this article.