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Pregnant woman feigning car problems may have robbed others, victim says

Posted at 6:19 PM, Jul 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-13 00:08:45-04

HENRICO, Va. – A Good Samaritan was robbed in Henrico on Monday after she tried to help a pregnant woman feigning car problems.

The woman stopped along Nine Mile Road in the East End when she saw a pregnant woman standing outside her car, with the hood up. It was around midnight.

“While my mom was looking at the girl's car, the girl went to my mom's Jeep, stole her purse, backed up with the hood still up on the car and drove away,” said her daughter Megan Reynolds.

But her mom, brave enough to stop and help, was also brave enough to go get her purse back. She jumped in her car and followed, watching as the woman allegedly tossed items from the stolen purse out of the window.

At one point the thief, who police identified as Erin Holmes, bumped into the Good Samaritan’s Jeep, and nearly ran into a police officer's cruiser.

The officer immediately turned on his lights, followed and cornered Holmes near a bridge under construction

“She didn't realize she couldn't get through and had to stop,” said Reynolds.

Reynolds said she believe her mom may not have been the only victim out there.

“Apparently, when officers looked in her car they found several cell phones and different items,” Reynolds said. “Obviously, this isn't the first time she's done this and gotten away with it.”

Police had a reminder for anyone thinking of stopping to help a stranger.

“If you don't feel it's safe, drive on, sometimes all the help they need is for you to make a phone call,” said Henrico Police spokesman Lt. Chris Eley. “If you do stop make sure you secure your valuables.”

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