Over a 42-day span, three suspects are accused of committing eight armed robberies, three pistol-whippings and one shooting in Brookhaven, all of which involved Hispanic victims, police said.
Brookhaven police Sgt. Jake Kissel told Channel 2 Action News the trio specifically chose their targets under the assumption that they would be less likely to contact police.
“They were wrong... and they were definitely wrong when it comes to Brookhaven,” Kissel said.
Officers arrested Elizabeth Marie Edmonds on Friday, while brothers Edrrick Royshaun Agee and Avonte Treon Fortson were taken into custody Feb. 14, according to DeKalb County Jail records. They all face at least 10 felonies.
The most violent incident was on New Year’s Eve, when Jason Diaz attempted to buy a 2-liter of soda, but instead wound up in Grady Memorial Hospital for 19 days, Channel 2 reported. Diaz, who is a U.S. Marine, was shot by a thief during an attempted robbery.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Diaz attempted to fight back, which earned him a pistol-whipping and a bullet near his spine, he told the news station.
“The bullet went from my side to the other side of my body,” he said. “That was a miracle ... the doctors told me it almost hit my spine. I got to thank God above that I’m still here.”
Another victim, who asked Channel 2 to remain anonymous, said a man broke into her family’s apartment and held a gun against her stomach. She said she was worried for her three children and her mother, who were inside the home at the time.
“I need justice,” she said.
All eight incidents took place in December and January near the Buford Highway corridor, Kissel said.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
“The big break in this case was Edmonds and Fortson using one of our victim’s stolen credit cards at a Walmart,” he said.
The three face six counts of armed robbery, three counts of aggravated assault and one count of criminal attempt to commit a felony, records show. Agee and Fortson both face an additional count of armed robbery, while Fortson was also charged with identity fraud. They remain in jail without bond, records show.
Kissel said there may be other victims out there who have not come forward. If so, they are asked to call 911.
Read the full story from Channel 2 Action News here.
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