THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 16, 1996 TAG: 9601160261
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
A stranded motorist who confronted an alleged thief inside his disabled car on the Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway late Sunday was fatally shot by the intruder, police said.
Two good Samaritans who were helping the stranded driver sped away and called police. State police later arrested one man and are seeking another, police spokeswoman Tammy Van Dame said.
The shooting happened shortly before midnight on the expressway's eastbound shoulder just west of the Laskin Road exit.
Van Dame and police investigators said this is what happened:
Traibeon L. Thomas, a 26-year-old sailor from Eustis, Fla., was driving east on the expressway when the right-front wheel of his 1993 Hyundai fell off. Thomas began walking for help, and two other Navy men stopped to assist him.
The Samaritans drove Thomas to a phone in the Hilltop area, where Thomas called for a tow truck. Next, the men drove Thomas to a nearby automated teller machine where Thomas withdrew money for the towing fee.
The Samaritans returned Thomas to the expressway where they noticed another car parked nearby. A man was inside Thomas' disabled Hyundai. Thomas confronted the man. When the Samaritans heard a gunshot, they hurried away and called police.
Thomas, who Van Dame said was stationed aboard the tank landing ship La Moure County, was shot once in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Navy men and other witnesses gave a description of the suspect's car to police, who broadcast it to area Navy bases, a standard procedure.
A car matching the description eventually entered the Oceana Naval Air Station. Police arrested a sailor and charged him with murder.
Van Dame said police are withholding that man's name while they search for a possible accomplice.
Van Dame said the suspect apparently had planned to steal from either the disabled car or from its driver.
The slaying was Sunday's second shooting on a local highway.
Early Sunday, a Virginia Beach couple reported that the occupants of another car shot at them on eastbound Interstate 264 near Military Highway. Their car was damaged, but no one was injured.
Police have arrested two Norfolk men in that case.
State police are still investigating Sunday's slaying. ILLUSTRATION: Map
The Virginian-Pilot
KEYWORDS: ARREST SHOOTING MURDER MOTORIST by CNB