1. DATE OF RELEASE

September 6, 2012

2. RELEASING
OFFICER

Lt. Aaron Kirk

3. NATURE OF INCIDENT

Robbery by Sudden Snatching

4. INCIDENT NO.

12-09-01106

5. DATE/TIME OF
INCIDENT

9-5-12/1911 hours

6. LOCATION

450 Norman Drive

7. PERSON (S) INVOLVED

Victim: Penny Thomas, white female, Valdosta resident

Offender: Robin Van Williams, African American male, 23 years of age, Valdosta resident

8. INCIDENT DETAILS

On September 5, 2012 at approximately 1911 hours, The Valdosta Police Department responded to the report of a Robbery by Sudden Snatching. The victim, Penny Thomas, reported that she was in the parking lot of Sam’s Club, 450 Norman Drive, when an African American male approached her and accused her of hitting his vehicle. After a short argument the male opened her passenger side door and grabbed her purse. Thomas indicated that she grabbed the purse also, but the offender pulled it from her hand. Thomas indicated that the offender ran and got into a burgundy vehicle.

Thomas was able to get the license plate number and the vehicle description was given out to surrounding law enforcement agencies.

A short time later an officer with the Valdosta Police Department spotted the vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop. After a short pursuit, the driver, identified as Robin Van Williams, African American male, 23 years of age, was placed under arrest by officers and deputies from the Valdosta Police Department and Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office. Thomas was brought to the scene of the traffic stop and positively identified Williams as the offender. The stolen purse was recovered from inside the vehicle and turned back over to Thomas. Williams was taken to the Lowndes County Jail and is being charged with Robbery by Sudden Snatching along with several motor vehicle violations.

Anyone having any further information regarding this crime or any other crime is urged to contact the Valdosta Police Department at 229-293-3145 or can remain anonymous at 229-293-3091.