ATLANTA — You can run, but you can’t hide from the Atlanta police department.
The department released dramatic video of the arrest of two suspects in a stolen car. One of the arrested was wanted for two homicides.
It started with a stolen car on Oct. 6 at a location on Spring Street. The next day, APD’s air unit spotted the stolen car in Zone 1.
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The video from the department’s helicopter, which was posted on social media, showed a gray car, which police said was stolen, driving on West Marietta Street Northwest in downtown Atlanta on Oct. 7. At one point, the driver of the car got out and tried to open the door of another car that was stopped next to it. But the car’s door was locked and the driver got back into his car and drove off onto Marietta Boulevard Northwest.
At another point, the three inside bailed out of the car and then started to run into a wooded area near Foster Place.
Two of the three suspects were arrested using K9 officers, the Auto Crimes Enforcement Unit and Zone 1 officers.
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The driver, Jontavious Arnold, also had outstanding warrants for two auto thefts and a double homicide that happened on July 15, 2021 at 1388 Joseph E Boone.
A total of three people were shot outside a liquor store. Investigators said a dark-colored sedan drove by and opened fire into the store’s parking lot, striking multiple people.
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The second suspect in stolen car, Timothy Varner, was charged with auto theft by receiving and obstruction.
“Each day the APD has reason to be filled with pride as we watch our Zone officers, specialized units, investigators, and supervisors do the work that makes our city safer. This incident is just another example of a day in the life of our sworn personnel,” the department said.
You Can Run but You Can’t Hide-APD’s A.C.E Unit, K9, Zone 1 Officers and Air Unit Collaborate to Capture Murder Suspect in Stolen Vehicle: The Atlanta Police Department’s (APD) specialized units and Zone 1 officers show their prowess and teamwork in catching car thieves, one of whom was also wanted for 2 counts of murder. On October 7th, 2021, The Auto Crimes Enforcement Unit (A.C.E) was investigating a stolen vehicle traveling in the area in Zone 2. The vehicle in question was stolen on 10/6/21 from 930 Spring St. Officers investigating the stolen auto immediately requested APD air support to maintain a visual of the vehicle. Once airborne, the team on Phoenix Air was able to locate and track the stolen vehicle as it traveled to Zone 1. Zone 1 units along with K-9 and A.C.E. units attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle. The suspects operating the stolen vehicle began driving erratically once they observed the Air unit tracking them from above. The suspects abandoned the vehicle causing it to crash as they fled into a nearby wooded area. With a collective effort among K-9 units and responding Zone 1 officers, ACE units were able to apprehend two out of the three suspects that were occupying the stolen vehicle. Further investigation identified the driver as Jontravious Arnold (5/2003) and a juvenile offender. Officers recovered stolen credit cards from the vehicle belonging to the victim of a vehicle larceny that occurred 9/1/21 at 501 Whitehall St. The driver, Jontravious Arnold also had outstanding warrants for two auto thefts ( 200361077, 210251236) and a double homicide that occurred on 7/15/21, at the location of 1388 Joseph E Boone. Investigators with the Homicide and Auto Larceny Unit were immediately notified of the arrest. Each day the APD has reason to be filled with pride as we watch our Zone officers, specialized units, investigators, and supervisors do the work that makes our city safer. This incident is just another example of a day in the life of our sworn personnel. Whether we are tracking suspects from the air or ground, helping kids in our @Promise Centers, serving warrants on dangerous persons at 4 a.m. or responding to 911 calls, what we know for sure is the APD family is hard at work risking it all to keep this city safe, and to respond to those in need. We applaud the diligence, professionalism, skills and determination of our Air Unit, Zone 1 officers, K9 Unit, and the A.C.E Unit in their work getting this murder suspect and these car thieves off our streets. The City of Atlanta is a bit safer with these two behind bars. #WeCatchBadGuys #YouCanRunButYouCantHide #NotOnOurWatch Arrested: • Jontravious De'Anthony Arnold - (5/2003) o Theft By Receiving - Auto o Fleeing and Eluding (Felony) o Criminal damage to property in the 2nd degree o Obstruction (Misdemeanor) o Hit and Run o Warrant for Murder (2 counts), Aggravated Assault (3 counts), and Possession of a Firearm during the commission of a Felony o Warrant for Theft by Taking - Auto o Warrant for Entering Auto • Juvenile passenger o Theft by Receiving - Auto o Obstruction (Misdemeanor) Juvenile arrestee: o Theft by Receiving - Auto o Obstruction (Misdemeanor)
Posted by City of Atlanta Police Department on Friday, October 8, 2021
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