Police: Woman Walks In On Home Burglary in Progress

Image: Richard D. Thomas (MCPD)

A Manassas woman took a burglar by surprise when she returned home Saturday evening, and the suspect fled and was later apprehended, according to the Manassas police.

The suspect, Richard D. Thomas, 52, of 7910 Saddlehorn Court in Manassas, was charged with driving under the influence, burglary with intent to commit assault and battery, assault and battery, driving after forfeiture of license, and unreasonable refusal of a blood, breath or urine test, a police report stated. Thomas is being held without bond in the Prince William-Manassas regional jail and has a pending court date of Sept. 15.

At about 8:50 p.m. Saturday, the police responded to the 10200 block of Cleary Street for a report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, they met with the 43-year-old victim, who said that after having been gone since Friday, she came home to find an unknown man in her home.

When she walked in, she was verbally confronted by the suspect, who then pushed her and fled in his vehicle, the police report said. The victim’s residence was locked at the time of the burglary.

The officers identified the suspect as Thomas; he was located near the 9900 block of Wellington Road and apprehended during a traffic stop.