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Police make arrest in brutal robbery of liquor store

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Pine Lake and DeKalb County police arrested a man they say punched a liquor store owner in the head during a shoplifting attempt and put that owner into a coma.

Police arrested Konter Kelley, 31, late Wednesday afternoon and charged him with the attack on Mensaft Abraham, owner of the American Package Store on Rockbridge Road.

According to investigators, Abraham tried to stop Kelley from stealing a bottle of vodka.

During the confrontation, they said Kelley punched Abraham in the head. The force knocked Abraham down, causing him to hit his head on the floor. They said Kelley got away in a Honda.

Abraham's wife, Lemlem Abraham, said the impact caused severe brain damage. She said he is currently in critical condition in intensive care at Grady Memorial Hospital. She said he remains in a coma and cannot breathe on his own. She said doctors want to run more tests.

Pine Lake Police said one of their officers spotted Kelley's Honda and made a traffic stop. He was arrested shortly afterward and charged with aggravated battery and criminal damage to property.

But police added more charges could be pending, depending on Abraham's recovery.

Abraham's business neighbors were happy to hear about the arrest.

"It was important because we all wanted it," said Spencer Watson. "Now, we can kind of rest and just move on, and hopefully Abraham gets OK."