Posted on 05/26/2007 3:02:01 PM PDT by LdSentinal
WASHINGTON -- A congressman from New Jersey helped police catch a man who may have tried to pick his pocket Thursday night.
Police said Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen was walking in the Georgetown section of the city about 9:30 p.m. when he was approached by a group of young men.
The congressman told officers he felt someone grab at his wallet. But when he turned, the person started running away.
Frelinghuysen said the culprit first asked if he wanted to buy candy before robbing him.
Frelinghuysen began chasing the man and was joined by two D.C. police officers who happened to be driving by.
Police said an 18-year-old man was eventually caught at 33rd Street and Dent Place and taken into custody.
"I spoke to him and as the mayor of the District of Columbia, I wanted him to know that we're really upset when any of our residents or visitors is struck but we're the house of Congress," said D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty.
"We have additional patrols in Georgetown now because we're entering the summer crime months, and that's why our officers were very close," said D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier.
Police said they are still searching for at least one other person.
Frelinghuysen was not injured.
Although the congressman was not injured, police officials routinely tell the public not to resist when confronted by potentially violent thieves.
...a group of young men, hmmmm......
Anyone have the punk’s mug shot?
Wow...Rod is my congressman...a real blueblood who’s family is like royalty in NJ political history...kind of surprised that he would be willing to chase down some street thugs...but I think he is a Vietnam vet...so maybe he’s not as soft as he sometimes appears
Kid made a critical error. He attempted to reach for a Congressman’s wallet.
Whatever happened to the concept of professional courtesy? Congressmen and women have been picking pockets since the IRS was born.
Well, what did he expect? New Jersey is filled with Democrats.
Lock and Load!!! That is great that a congressman took it upon himself to catch this little SOB. These little hoodlums are ruining America; it is time my fellow Americans to take our streets back.
LOL, yeah they can grab ours but theirs, no way. Aren’t politicians always telling us not to resist? Probably had some phone numbers in it he didn’t want to leak out so he had to get it back.
This is the sort of classless response that gives FReep and FReepers a bad name. The congressman was a victim of a crime and he did something about it. Jokes about Congress ripping us off are not appropriate here.
Agreed.
Oh gee...I'm sure that little speech was veeeeery effective. How about a cattle prod up the keister and six months at hard labor? He'd never pick another pocket as long as he lived.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
LOL...
I congress critter in town over the Memorial day weekend? I don’t believe it.
I think you hit the nail on the head! LOL
Oops! You’re right. But my point is, etc.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.