Lenox robbery suspect shot; chase leads to Atlantic Station

One shoplifting suspect was shot and two others were arrested Thursday after a chase that began at Lenox Square mall and ended at Atlantic Station, the Midtown shopping complex.

Atlanta police spokesman Officer Eric Schwartz said the incident began shortly before noon at the Bloomingdale’s department store at Lenox.

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Atlanta Police Detective Nathan Deaton walks away from the car that was stopped at Market and 17th streets during his investigation Thursday.

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“Four guys came into the store, and it was one of those snatch-and-grab robberies,” Schwartz said, adding that the men took coats and purses.

One of the suspects got away, police said, but three were apprehended: Artavious Norwood, 33; Vincint Harris, 20; and Keith Toland, 26.

The men face charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, theft by taking, fleeing to elude and criminal damage to property.

An off-duty Fulton County sheriff’s deputy, working an extra job at the mall, gave chase and shot Norwood in the shoulder after being hit by the suspects’ vehicle, Schwartz said. Atlanta police pursued the vehicle south to Atlantic Station, where the suspects crashed their car.

The men ran from the wrecked vehicle, but were taken into custody after being pursued on foot. Schwartz said one officer suffered a pulled hamstring during the foot chase.

Norwood was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. Grady spokeswoman Denise Simpson said he was in stable condition Thursday afternoon.

A police spokesman, Officer James Polite, would not release the injured deputy’s name, saying the Police Department, as a courtesy, does not divulge the names of law enforcement officers from other agencies involved in such incidents.

A Sheriff’s Department spokeswomen also declined to identify the deputy but said he is a veteran with more than 10 years’ experience. The deputy went to Grady to have his legs examined.

“We do expect his release from the hospital and a full recovery,” said Chief Deputy Reginald Turner.

Staff writer Tim Eberly contributed to this article.