APD: Officer stopped federal prison gun smugglers

ATLANTA — Atlanta police said an officer on routine patrol caught men trying to smuggle guns and cellphones into the federal prison.

The incident happened at about 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Police told Channel 2's Ryan Young an officer approached four men, who were parked in an Oldsmobile Alero along the curb next to the fence of the prison. Police said it appeared that the men were smuggling items through the fence.

"(The officer) came across a vehicle he saw parked on the side of the road against the curb, right against the fencing for the federal penitintery. He thought it was a bit suspicious, so he shined the spotlight on the vehicle," explained Atlanta police Sgt. Greg Lyons.

Lyons said the officer saw four people in gray sweat pants wearing black hoodies and black gloves. Three of the men scaled the fence back onto prison property, and the fourth left in the Alero, which was abandoned on New Town Circle and the driver fled on foot.

Officers recovered 24 cellphones, four 30-packs of beer, three cases of whiskey, protein powder and two handguns loaded with hollow-point ammunition, said Lyons.

The FBI and APD are investigating, and federal prison officials are aware of the investigation. Police said the public's safety was not at risk.

WSBTV