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Police: 1 arrested, another sought in Clarkston violent robberies

CLARKSTON, Ga. — Police said they have arrested one person and they are looking for another involved in a string of robberies in Clarkston.

They are looking for Leonte Banks, but officers said another suspect was caught when he crashed a stolen minivan minutes after snatching a woman's purse in broad daylight Saturday.

A mother was strapping her child in the back seat of her car in a shopping center, when she said the crooks opened her passenger door, grabbed her purse and took off.

Police said the teen was the getaway driver and detectives said his partner in crime grabbed the woman's purse.

"They know I'm defenseless. I can't just protect myself because I have a child," the woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

The woman said she's living in fear right now. It was the second time in a week her purse was snatched. She said she thinks it was by the same guys.

"They have been following me, it's just terrifying," the woman said.

She's just one on a list that was growing in Clarkston.

Channel 2's Liz Artz talked to another woman Thursday who said her two young children witnessed several men wrestle her for her purse and flee in a stolen car. It was the fifth strong armed robbery the city has seen in less than a week.

Detective Matthew Roa said this teen suspect is not cooperating, but another man who was with him is.

"With the details he is giving us, (the) individual that got away -- police will be apprehending him shortly," Roa said.

Detectives said they are close to a second arrest and are investigating to see if the two who committed Saturday's robbery are responsible for the four robberies earlier in the week. They said the suspects fled to a Texaco Saturday and the quick thinking of a witness helped police arrest the teen.