Atlanta robbery suspect allegedly steals police cruiser, crashes into tanker truck
A man wanted in connection with the violent robbery of a woman near an Atlanta transit station was arrested Monday after allegedly stealing a marked police cruiser and crashing it into a tanker truck, authorities said.
Atlanta police identified the suspect as 30-year-old Phelan Thorpe, who investigators say was wanted in connection with a Saturday afternoon robbery near the Midtown MARTA station.
Thorpe was charged with robbery and simple battery in connection with the alleged attack, according to the Atlanta Police Department.
Officers were dispatched shortly after 5:15 p.m. Monday to the 2000 block of Thomasville Drive SE after receiving a report that a wanted man was at the location and possibly armed, according to police.
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Officers located Thorpe and began investigating, but police said he managed to get into a marked Atlanta Police Department patrol vehicle parked outside and drive away.
Thorpe allegedly drove the cruiser into neighboring Clayton County before crashing into a tanker truck on Interstate 675.
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He was taken into custody after the crash without further incident. Thorpe suffered minor, non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital, police said. No officers or other civilians were reported injured.
Police had been looking for Thorpe in connection with an attack Saturday near 10th Street and West Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta.
Officers responded at approximately 1:54 p.m. and found a woman who had been injured during an assault and robbery, according to police.
Investigators said a man had followed the woman from the Midtown MARTA station before confronting her and claiming he had a gun. Police said the suspect demanded the woman's purse and iPhone, leading to a physical struggle.
The suspect allegedly punched the woman with a closed fist before taking her phone and driver's license, then fleeing the scene, according to police. The woman was transported to a hospital for evaluation.
Surveillance video released by Atlanta police showed a man following the woman near a crosswalk before the confrontation. Police had initially asked the public for help identifying him.
Atlanta police later identified Thorpe as the suspect wanted in connection with the robbery and said he was charged with robbery and simple battery.
It was not immediately clear how Thorpe allegedly gained access to the patrol vehicle or whether police recovered a firearm.
A police update Monday night did not identify any charges stemming from the alleged theft of the patrol vehicle or subsequent crash.
The investigation remains ongoing.