ELLENWOOD, Ga. — Monday evening, an Atlanta police patrol vehicle crashed on Interstate 675 in Clayton County after a wanted suspect reportedly stole the marked patrol car while officers were investigating him in southeast Atlanta.
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According to Atlanta police, officers were dispatched Monday afternoon in reference to a wanted person who was reportedly armed with a firearm.
Police said the suspect, identified as Phelan Thorpe, was able to steal a marked Atlanta police patrol vehicle that was parked outside the location while officers were investigating.
Thorpe was wanted as a suspect in an armed robbery on Oct. 3 at 10 Peachtree NE, where a woman was physically assaulted and robbed after a man followed her from the Midtown MARTA station.
According to the preliminary investigation, the suspect confronted the woman, claimed to have a gun and demanded her purse and iPhone.
Police said a struggle followed, during which the suspect punched the woman with a closed fist before taking her phone and driver’s license and fleeing northbound on West Peachtree Street
After police were dispatched today, Thorpe drove the patrol vehicle into Clayton County, where police said he crashed into a tanker truck.
The crash happened on I-675 southbound, south of Forest Parkway, near Exit 5.
Police said Thorpe was taken into custody without further incident. No citizens or police officers were injured.
Thorpe sustained minor, non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital. Police said he was alert, conscious and breathing while being transported for further medical attention.
Thorpe is also the suspect Atlanta police were seeking in connection with a robbery and assault reported Saturday, Oct. 3, according to investigators.
Police said the Oct. 3 incident happened around 1:54 p.m. near 10 Peachtree NE. Investigators said a woman was followed from the Midtown MARTA station to the area of 10th and West Peachtree Street.
Atlanta police said the information released is preliminary and could change as the investigation continues or new information becomes available.
Channel 2 Action News has a crew headed to the scene. We’ll have the latest on WSB Tonight at 11 p.m.
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