Robbery Investigation Leads to Firearms Straw Purchase Arrest

On April 18, 2025, officers from the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) responded to the 100 block of West Virginia Ave. for a robbery. Deontae Lezine (M/21) of Virginia Beach was identified as the suspect, and a warrant was obtained charging him with Robbery with Force.

On April 19, 2025, a VBPD K9 officer attempted to take Lezine into custody.  Lezine fled on foot, prompting a large-scale response as officers canvassed the area. It was observed that Lezine discarded a loaded handgun equipped with an extended magazine and an illegal auto sear (“switch”) when he fled.

Lezine was ultimately located and taken into custody on April 25, 2025, by the VBPD Warrant and Fugitive Squad. As a result of the recovery of the firearm he discarded, he faces additional charges of Possession of a Machine Gun for Aggressive Purpose, Possession of a Trigger Activator, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Carrying a Loaded Weapon with an Extended Magazine, and Obstruction of Justice.

A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) trace of the recovered firearm determined it was purchased by Xavier Nichols (M/29) of Chesapeake. Nichols had reported the firearm stolen, but a subsequent investigation led detectives to determine that the firearm had been unlawfully purchased for an individual not eligible to possess a firearm.  On May 9, 2025, VBPD secured the following warrants for Nichols: Making a Materially False Statement on a Firearm Consent Form and Purchasing a Firearm for a Prohibited Person. On May 14, 2025, Nichols was taken into custody for the outstanding warrants.

This case reflects the coordinated efforts of the VBPD, federal partners, and local agencies to investigate illegal firearms trafficking in our community.

(Note: The charges mentioned in this press release are accusations, and all arrested individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.)