<sh>Man Charged with Abduction
<bt>A Fairfax man was arrested and charged with abduction with intent to defile on Nov. 21.
Michael Aaron Thomas, 19, of the 3100 block of Babashaw Court in the Fairfax area, was working at Michael's Craft Store in the 3000 block of Nutley St. At about 6:50 p.m., he approached a 23-year-old female customer, grabbed her and demanded she follow him into the back of the store, said Fairfax County Police. "He intimidated her," said Officer Bud Walker, spokesperson for the police.
The victim complied and followed Thomas into a poorly lit area in the back of the store, where he produced a knife and demanded she disrobe, said police.
The woman was able to talk her way out of the situation and returned to the store. With the assistance of store personnel, the police were contacted. "We arrested him at the location," Walker said.
Thomas has been employed by Michael's Stores for approximately nine months, said Tom Clary, manager of corporate communications for Michael's.
The store has not yet made a determination about Thomas' status as an employee. "We're waiting to see how the charges are played out in the court system," Clary said.
The court has appointed an attorney to represent Thomas. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 4, 2005. Thomas is currently being held in the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond.
<sh>Citrus at Madison High This weekend
<bt>As Madison High School band and color guard students pick up their crates of oranges, tangerines and grapefruit this weekend to fulfill the community's orders, the public is invited to stop by the school for a last chance to purchase Florida citrus and Georgia pecans. The sale, benefiting Madison band programs, takes place in Madison's front parking lot, 2500 James Madison Drive, just off Maple Avenue (Route 123) near Nutley Street. Hours are Saturday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 5, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
<sh>Radford Alumni Social Event
<bt>Radford University alumni in the Northern Virginia or D.C. metro area are invited to a networking social on Thursday, Dec. 16, at 6 p.m., in the Glory Days Grill Backroom, 3059 Nutley St., Fairfax. Participants must R.S.V.P. by Dec. 10 to Emily Lane at 1-888-4RU-GRAD or by e-mail at eehale@radford.edu.