A third man has been arrested in the August killing of the owner of a northwest Atlanta restaurant.
Gerald R. Peterson was spotted by police in a south Fulton County night club early Saturday morning and was taken into custody, Fulton County police said. Peterson was wanted in connection with the shooting death of Vanessa Elaine Thrasher, owner of O.T.’s Lounge and Soul Food Grill.
The 23-year-old suspect was charged with one count each of murder, robbery and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a felony, and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to jail records.
Police are still looking for a fourth suspect, a man identified only as “C.J.” Authorities had already arrested Otis Ricks Jr. and DeMario LaNard Carman in connection with the shooting.
The four men, alleged members of the so-called C.R.G.– Campbellton Road Gangsters – are accused of attempting to rob the lounge the night of Aug. 16.
Thrasher shot Carman during the robbery, even as she was being fatally wounded by the bandits’ gunfire, police said last month in a probable cause hearing. DNA from Carman’s blood led investigators to his Sept. 5 arrest.
Peterson was on probation at the time of the incident and had violated the terms of his probation by failing to report to a specified location in June, according to court and Fulton County Sheriff’s records. He also was wanted on charges of robbery and firearm possession by a felon, according to court records.
Around 4 a.m. Saturday, off-duty police officers working at Club Ritz, 7490 Old National Highway, recognized Peterson and called Fulton County police. He was arrested without incident and taken to Fulton County jail.
Peterson has been arrested before on gun-related charges.
He was 18 in September 2007 when he was found in possession of a pistol after he tried to run from police for an apparent traffic stop, authorities said. Peterson was also charged with marijuana possession and reckless conduct, and was released days later on $4,800 bond.
After several short Fulton County jail stints for minor offenses, he was arrested in July 2009, at age 20, on charges that included aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, theft by taking and gun possession while committing a felony. He was released about a month later on $28,000 bond.
Peterson spent a year in jail after being arrested in April 2010 for armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and gun possession charges. He was released on $100,000 bond.
In the latest case, Peterson remains in Fulton County jail awaiting his first court appearance and a possible bond hearing.
A $12,000 reward by Crime Stoppers Atlanta and Thrasher’s family has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the final suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. Tips can be made anonymously.
About the Author
