2nd suspect arrested in videotaped robbery attempt

By Joel Provano

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A second suspect in an attempted strong-arm robbery that was videotaped by the victim is in custody.

Oconee County Chief Deputy Lee Weems confirmed that Michael Anthony Fulcher of Bogart was arrested Wednesday in Barrow County. His brother, Timothy Shane Fulcher, 29, also of Bogart, surrendered last week to Oconee County authorities. Weems said Michael Fulcher, 33, faces charges in Barrow County in addition to those in Oconee.

The victim, a 28-year-old Athens man employed by the University of Georgia, responded Jan. 16 to an ad on Craigslist to purchase a cell phone,  Weems  told the AJC last week. He set up a meeting with two men in the parking lot of the Kroger store on Epps Bridge Road near Athens, but didn't feel comfortable about the meeting, Weems said, so he concealed a video camera in his clothes.

He met the pair Monday night around 8:30, Weems said, and after some initial small talk, the two men tried to take his money. "They reached out and grabbed him and attacked him," Weems said.

After a brief scuffle, the would-be robbers ran away, without the money. They didn't escape the victim's camera, however, which clearly captured both men on video.

During the video, one of the would-be robbers seems to shout "Get the pistol," but Weems said the men never produced a weapon. The victim was not injured.

Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry told Channel 2 Action News that the victim used a "pen camera" that attaches to a shirt pocket like a writing pen. He said the victim brought the video to investigators Tuesday morning, and when they saw it they immediately identified the suspects.

Michael Fulcher has served time in state prison, on forgery and burglary charges in Walton County, according to state records.