A man wanted for armed robbery and impersonating police officers, and who avoided a SWAT team at his extended stay hotel room earlier this week, was arrested today.
Matthew Buddin, 33, was spotted on a motorcycle about 1 p.m. but raced away from an attempted traffic stop. Gwinnett County police officers began checking addresses associated with Buddin and located the motorcycle about 30 minutes later on River Summit Trail in Duluth. Buddin unsuccessfully attempted to run from the residence as officers approached.
Buddin is charged with an armed robbery that occurred Tuesday at the Rite Aid at 1545 Lawrenceville Highway, in unincorporated Lawrenceville. Police say that during this robbery, Buddin approached the pharmacy counter and demanded Xanax and Tramadol. He produced a handgun and ordered the employees to the ground. After obtaining a few bottles of pills, he fled the scene on a gold-colored motorcycle.
Several other agencies have cases against Buddin, including the police departments in Lawrenceville and Duluth, and the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. In multiple cases Buddin displayed a Gwinnett County police badge, along with a handgun holstered on his belt, and claimed to be a police officer, police say.
Lawrenceville police obtained arrest warrants for Buddin on charges of impersonating a police officer and shoplifting on Jan. 9. At that time Buddin was allegedly fraudulently returning items to a store and told the store clerk that he “works for Gwinnett County,” according to Lawrenceville investigator J.W. Anderson. Buddin was wearing a gray shirt, green cargo pants, and had a badge and a gun, Anderson said Tuesday. However Buddin is not a peace officer in Georgia and never has been, said Anderson.
Buddin was encountered recently at a Walmart in Forsyth County, Anderson said. At that time, he had a full beard, was armed and carrying a badge. He is believed to have committed similar offenses in nearby counties and jurisdictions.
On Monday, police attempted to serve an arrest warrant on Buddin at the Crossland Economy Studios. Believing that Buddin had barricaded himself in his room, Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office SWAT responded to assist with entry.
It was discovered that Buddin returned to the location on a motorcycle with a full helmet at the time that initial officers arrived and was able to escape, police said. A search of his room recovered weapons, ammunition and police equipment.
About the Author
