Prince William County, Va. –– At least 12 rape cases have been linked to the man police call the East Coast Rapist.
One of those cases the suspect is linked to, believed to be the most recent case, happened in Dale City on Halloween night 2009.
Police say Aaron H. Thomas, now 39, approached three female teenagers while they were walking home from a night of trick-or-treating.
Thomas used a gun forced them into a wooded area and then raped two 17-year-old girls while a 16-year-old girl watched helplessly.
The 16-year-old used her phone to summon help, police said. By the time police arrived that night, the suspect had fled the area, said police.
Late last month, police put up billboards with sketches of the suspect and launched a website will details on each of the 17 cases the East Coast Rapist is suspected to have carried out.
Last Monday, a tip came into police from Prince Georges County, Md. – the place where police say Thomas took his first victim in 1997 – identifying Thomas as the suspect, police said.
Thomas, now in Connecticut, was followed by investigators and DNA from a cigarette later matched DNA collected in 12 of the reported rapes, police said.
Thomas was arrested at his home in New Haven, Conn. on Friday.
Police in Prince William County have charged him with two counts of Rape, three counts of abduction, and three counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, police said Monday at a press conference in Manassas.
According to records, Thomas lived on Bonita Court in Dale City from 2000 to 2007.
DNA evidence has tied Thomas to the following cases, police say:
Feb. 19, 1997 Forestville, MD
Aug. 20, 1997 Suitland, MD
July 3, 1998 Temple Hills, MD
Jun.19, 1999 Alexandria, VA
Jan. 13, 2000 Alexandria, VA
Nov. 20, 2000 Alexandria, VA
May 24, 2001 Leesburg, VA
Aug. 16, 2001 Temple Hills, MD
Dec. 28, 2001 Alexandria, VA
Nov. 28, 2006 Cranston, RI
Jan. 10, 2007 New Haven, CT
Oct. 31, 2009 Woodbridge, VA
Recent Stories
The City of Fredericksburg and Stafford County have both announced water main breaks on Saturday, January 11, 2025.
Patriot High School Principal Michael Bishop is currently on leave, the school announced Thursday in a message to families.
Prince William County Public Schools did not provide further details upon InsideNoVa’s request as it is a “personnel matter,” said Director of Communications Diana Gulotta.
Empower yourself and take the first step towards self-care and growth at the Commitment to Self: “I Do!” Women’s Empowerment Conference!
Topics include:
– Navigating power structures
– Women’s health issues
– Learning to A-D-A-P-T and tap into your power
– Discovering your best self today
Fredericksburg celebrated the grand opening of its new Visitor Center on January 10, 2025, with an open-house event that drew hundreds today at the newly renamed City Center government building, formerly known as the Executive Plaza. Community members gathered at 601 Caroline Street to explore the revamped space, enjoy light refreshments, and learn about the Visitor Center’s offerings.
The new facility, described as brighter and more accessible, provides an inviting hub for showcasing Fredericksburg’s artists and businesses. “The center is fabulous,” said Mayor Kerry Devine. “It has space for showcasing our artists and businesses, and we’re just so excited to welcome people to this new center.”
Rita McClenney, President and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, emphasized the importance of the Visitor Center as a resource for wayfinding and discovering unique experiences in Fredericksburg. “A lot of people research before they travel, but there’s nothing like being on the ground and finding out about a place through the people who know it best,” said McClenney.
Start 2024 on the right foot by prioritizing your mental health and well-being. At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand how challenging life can be—whether it’s managing stress from work, family dynamics, or navigating the complexities of the world around us. Our team is here to help you create balance and find the peace you deserve.
We’re offering a free 15-minute consultation to help you explore how therapy can work for you. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, looking for support, or just want to talk things through, this is the perfect opportunity to take that first step toward a healthier, happier you.
Scheduling is simple and convenient. Choose the option that works best for you:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra, this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
Featuring:
