Macon Jury Convicts Man in Violent Publix Purse Snatching After 12-Minute Deliberation

BIBB COUNTY, Ga. — A jury has convicted a man in connection with a violent purse snatching outside a Publix store, bringing closure to a case that dates back to 2022, prosecutors said.

The incident occurred on August 21, 2022, when a woman stopped at the Publix on Thomaston Road after church. Authorities said Andrew Gene Thomas III grabbed the victim’s purse straps and dragged her to the ground when she resisted, before fleeing with the purse.

Bystanders pursued Thomas from the scene, and an off-duty officer who witnessed the attack apprehended him.

During the trial, which began Monday, prosecutors presented surveillance video capturing the incident along with a confession in which Thomas admitted, “I snatched her purse.” Thomas represented himself during the proceedings.

Officials said the defense strategy included accusations against law enforcement and the justice system that were not supported by evidence. Prosecutors objected to those claims during the trial.

Despite those developments, the jury deliberated for approximately 12 minutes before returning guilty verdicts on charges of Robbery by Sudden Snatching and Battery.

Sentencing is pending. Thomas faces up to 20 years in prison for the robbery conviction and up to 12 months for the battery charge.

“An innocent victim went to church and stopped for groceries only to be violently attacked in broad daylight,” said District Attorney Anita Howard. “She waited nearly four years for justice, and this jury delivered it in 12 minutes.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Amber Cook and Sheridan King.