Police: Man robs woman hit by car after pretending to help her

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. — Authorities in Rockdale County arrested a man who, they said, tried to take advantage of a woman moments after she was hit by a car.

According to police, the suspect is accused of stealing cash and a credit card from the woman’s purse after a car struck her in a parking lot.

Investigators told Channel 2's Tom Regan that the man acted as though he wanted to help the woman, but then stole from her.

“I heard people talking and screaming that someone got hit by a car,” said witness Josue Avioa.

Avioa said he ran outside and saw the woman injured and disoriented.

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“The person was on the ground and people were surrounding her. The person who hit her got out of the truck and tried to help her, I guess,” Avioa said.

Among the people offering to help, police said, was Corey Lamar Newkirk.

“Several bystanders went to help her pick up her belongings, and one of those took advantage of the situation and collected not only her driver’s license but a couple of credit cards and cash, too,” said Conyers police Sgt. Buck Vaugh.

According to police, Newkirk got into a car driven by Toria Fuller and the pair left the shopping center.
They didn't get far.

“Fortunately, we had some attentive bystanders who called 911 and told us what was going on, and provided a vehicle description and description of the person,” Vaugh said.

Police quickly arrested Newkirk and Fuller. Newkirk is charged with theft by taking and Fuller is charged with obstruction, police said.

The victim was taken to a hospital and is doing OK.

Cox Media Group