Fairfax County Police Department
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News Release: 07/310/1014/CSN/(3)
December 27, 2007

Serial Purse Snatcher Caught in the Act

            Detectives from the McLean District Police Station Criminal Investigations Section have arrested a man in connection with eight purse snatchings and two robberies. Most of the crimes occurred in the Yorktowne Square Condominium community and the Wedgewood Manor Apartment complex. The purse snatchings began on October 18 and came to an end on November 6 when Kareem Abdul Jabar Thomas, 33, was arrested.

            The detectives were conducting stake-outs in the area when Thomas was spotted. They followed him to the 7500 block of Little River Turnpike where he allegedly stole a purse from a 37-year-old Falls Church-area woman. Thomas was arrested fleeing the scene and charged with grand larceny and possession of burglarious tools. He was questioned and later charged with six counts of grand larceny, two counts of robbery and one count of petit larceny stemming from other incidents. Thomas, of 2904 Kings Chapel Road #13, Falls Church, was taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.

            An ongoing investigation may lead to additional charges against Thomas.

Photo of Thomas