A 21-year-old man has been charged in connection with a purse snatching at Tacoma’s Roosevelt Elementary School last week.
Pierce County prosecutors on Friday charged Christian Thomas with second-degree robbery and second-degree assault of a child.
The incident occurred Thursday.
According to court records:
The victim was standing with her 7-year-old daughter at the bus stop when a “weird” man approached and asked what time the bus would arrive.
She said she recognized Thomas from other encounters on the bus.
As the victim grabbed her daughter’s hand, Thomas snatched her purse and began struggling with her.
“The defendant then grabbed her minor daughter while still pulling on the purse,” according to charging documents.
Thomas fled with her purse and shed several articles of clothing while trying to elude Tacoma police officers. Thomas’ girlfriend apparently picked up his clothes while he tried to escape. She was later charged with rendering criminal assistance.
stacia.glenn@thenewstribune.com