A man wanted in connection with a violent Midtown robbery is now facing a much longer list of charges after Atlanta police say he stole a marked patrol car and crashed during a chase on Interstate 675.
Police identified the suspect as Phelan Thorpe. CBS Atlanta reported that officers encountered Thorpe Monday at a home on Thomasville Drive SE while investigating a wanted person who was believed to be armed.
Police say he stole the cruiser while officers were investigating
Investigators say Thorpe got into a marked APD patrol vehicle outside the home and drove away. Georgia State Patrol says he later lost control on I-675 in Clayton County and crashed into a tanker truck and another commercial vehicle.
Thorpe allegedly tried to run after the crash but was taken into custody. He was evaluated at Grady Memorial Hospital for minor injuries. Police said no officers or members of the public were injured in the crash.
The original case began in Midtown
Police say Thorpe was wanted in connection with a Saturday robbery near the Midtown MARTA station. Investigators allege he followed a woman, claimed to have a gun, demanded her belongings and punched her during a struggle.
He now faces robbery, battery, theft, vehicle-hijacking, fleeing and other charges. Those charges are allegations and have not yet resulted in a conviction.
