A 37-year-old California man with a criminal history of assault and kidnapping was arrested this week in Florida after allegedly following and attempting to lure a 12-year-old girl near her bus stop.
Who Is the Suspect?
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) identified the suspect as Thomas Christopher Karba, a resident of Ventura, California. He is currently being held without bond in Lee County Jail, facing multiple charges, including:
- Loitering/Prowling
- Luring or Enticing a Child Under 12
- Stalking/Following/Harassing
Karba’s Criminal History
According to FHP, Karba has a history of serious offenses in both California and Florida, including:
- Kidnapping
- Assault with Intent to Commit Rape
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Stalking and Attempting to Lure Children
Details of the Incident
The 12-Year-Old’s Encounter with Karba
- The girl was waiting at her bus stop on Wednesday when Karba allegedly began following her.
- He repeatedly tried to engage her in conversation, asking her age and where she lived.
- She became fearful due to his aggressive and persistent questioning.
The Girl’s Father Intervenes
- The girl ran home and told her father, who was working outside.
- Seeing her talking to her father, Karba walked away.
- However, the father later spotted Karba circling the apartment complex three times within two hours.
FHP Trooper Confronts Karba
- The father flagged down a trooper, who confronted Karba.
- Karba claimed he was “looking for a place to rent”, but the apartment manager confirmed he was not a resident and had never inquired about an apartment.
- When asked about his interaction with the girl, Karba claimed he was unaware that she was a minor.
Current Status and Investigation
Karba is being held without bond, and authorities are investigating whether he may have targeted other children.
