US Congressman chases down pick-pocket

WASHINGTON, May 25 (Reuters) A US congressman chased and caught a man who picked the lawmaker's pocket night in Washington's tony Georgetown neighborhood, a local television station reported.

Rep Rodney Frelinghuysen, a New Jersey Republican, was walking in the area when a group of young men came up behind him. Frelinghuysen felt someone grab at his wallet and when he turned, the would-be robber took off, WRC TV report yesterday.

Frelinghuysen, 61, gave chase and caught the suspect a short distance away. Two passing police officers saw the chase and arrested the 18-year-old suspect, the report said.

Frelinghuysen, a seven-term congressman, was not immediately reachable for comment.

Asked about the incident, a police spokesman confirmed that ''something like that occurred tonight in Georgetown.'' ''I can't identify the surviving victim of any crime,'' he said. ''But, I understand the victim has been calling the news media and telling them his story.'' REUTERS AE VV1028