A 34-year-old sexual assault case was closed earlier this week with the arrest of George Thomas Jr., 61, of Arlington.
George Thomas Jr. was charged with two counts of rape, sodomy, and abduction for a sexual assault that occurred on Aug. 24, 1988. George Thomas Jr. and the late Gregory Allen Thomas abducted the 22-year-old victim as she left her job at the Skyline Mall.
The two brothers approached the victim in a parking garage and physically assaulted her. The victim was forced into her car and made to drive to a secluded location. The victim was led to a wooded area, and both men raped her before forcing her back into her car. The victim was made to drive to another location and raped again.
The victim was able to escape to her car and drove away following the second assault. Fairfax County police officers responded the evening of the assault and collected forensic evidence. A DNADNA, or Deoxyribonucleic Acid, is the genetic material found in cells, composed of a double helix structure. It serves as the genetic blueprint for all living organisms. More Profile foreign to the victim was developed from the forensic evidence collected and searched against the Virginia DNA databank. The profile was also submitted to the National DNA databank. The victim provided details that were used to create a composite sketch of one of the suspects. Detectives received numerous tips with possible suspect information and followed up on all leads. No arrests were made.
Detectives continued to investigate the assault throughout the years, submitting forensic evidence to national databases in hopes of identifying a suspect. A FCPD fingerprint examiner identified fingerprintsFingerprint, impression made by the papillary ridges on the ends of the fingers and thumbs. Fingerprints afford an infallible means of personal identification, because the ridge arrangement on every finger of every human being is unique and does not alter with growth or age. Fingerprints serve to reveal an individual’s true identity despite personal denial, assumed names, or changes in personal appearance resulting from age, disease, plastic surgery, or accident. The practice of utilizing fingerprints as a means of identification, referred to as dactyloscopy, is an indispensable aid to modern law enforcement. More found in the victim’s vehicle to new arrest records on file.
One of the fingerprints was identified to Gregory Allen Thomas, who died in 2009. A second fingerprint recovered from the vehicle belonged to his brother, George Thomas Jr. Detectives obtained Gregory Allen Thomas’ blood card from the medical examiner. DNA analysis confirmed Gregory Allen Thomas was involved in the 1988 sexual assault. Detectives later provided a DNA sample for George Thomas Jr., who also matched DNA evidence recovered in 1988.
On Monday, deputies with the United States Marshals Service and Metro Transit Police arrested George Thomas Jr. in Maryland. He was taken to the Adult Detention Center and was held without bond.
“Advancements in technology allow us to revisit cases decades old with the resources at our disposal. No matter the time that has passed, our detectives and professional staff will always fight for answers, resolution, and some measure of justice for those effected by these crimes,” said Major Ed O’Carroll, Bureau Chief, Major Crimes, Cyber and Forensics Bureau.
Victim specialists from our Major Crimes Bureau’s Victim Services Division have been assigned to ensure the family is receiving appropriate resources and assistance.
