THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 27, 1996 TAG: 9601270254
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A7 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Briefs
DATELINE: TAIPEI, TAIWAN LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
Two U.S. Navy officers accused of purse-snatching have returned to the United States, but will be tried in absentia in an Italian civilian court, a Navy spokesman said Friday.
Lt. Paul A. Thomson, 28, and Lt. Helvin A. Rodriguez, 30, both helicopter pilots from Norfolk, were arrested Tuesday in downtown Naples after allegedly accosting a woman and stealing her purse.
The officers spent the night in jail, said Cmdr. Mike John, a spokesman for the U.S. 6th Fleet in Naples.
The two were handed over to U.S. military officials the next day. They waived their right to appear at their trial and left the country. A trial date has not yet been sent.
The two airmen said they had talking with the woman and her male companion, and were entrapped by her, John said.
The U.S. military is also investigating the case, including allegations by the two officers that the arresting police pistol-whipped them. John said they had injuries that could have been caused by such beatings.
KEYWORDS: ASSAULT U.S. NAVY by CNB