Clayton County

CAPTURED! Teen arrested on kidnapping, rape charges

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — An 18-year-old accused of kidnapping and raping a woman in Clayton County was arrested Wednesday morning.

The Clayton County Sheriff's Office told Channel 2 Action News a woman was walking to a bus stop in the area of Flint-River Road and Glenwood Drive when she was attacked.

Investigators said the suspect -- later identified as Thomas Bernard -- kidnapped the victim, dragged her to a wooded area, robbed her and raped her.

Authorities said they captured Bernard after about an hour. He's facing several charges.

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Officers say Thomas saw her, slowed up and waited for her and then robbed her.

In court Thursday, the judge said the suspect also stole the victim's Beats headphones and cellphone.

“On that same day you did what you did with the attempt to commit theft and take the property of (the victim) from the immediate presence of her person,” said judge Sonyja George.

The woman screamed after her attacker ran away and witnesses not only heard her, they gave police a description of the rapist.

Police said they quickly arrested Thomas in the area.

Officers have been searching for a serial rapist in the area. They say Thomas is not their suspect in those cases.

"The way the crime was committed does not fit the description of what previous victims have described," Capt. Scott Stubbs, Clayton County Police said.