Birmingham man charged with robbery and sexual assault

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — A man is in custody in connection with a series of robberies and sexual assault cases, Birmingham police announced Wednesday.

Christian Jerel Thomas, 36, of Birmingham, is charged with six counts of first-degree sodomy, four counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of first-degree rape and one count of first-degree kidnapping. He was arrested on April 30th.

In February, BPD robbery detectives launched an investigation after a victim reported being robbed and sexually assaulted in West Birmingham.

SVU detectives then began investigating three cases involving three victims who were also robbed or sexually assaulted in the same area in April. Over the course of four investigations, BPD detectives identified Thomas as a suspect in each case.

Robbery and SVU investigators presented case information on the four separate cases to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, which issued arrest warrants for Thomas.

Thomas is being held without bail in the Jefferson County Jail.

Anyone wishing to report a sexual assault or robbery is asked to call the BPD Special Victims Unit at 205-297-8413. You may also contact the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Unit at 205-325-1423 or [email protected].

Additionally, the One Place Family Justice Center can be reached at 205-453-7261.