A Cobb County teenager was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for beating a 78-year-old Lithonia woman and stealing her vehicle and a check.
Quiantae Destin Collins, of Austell, knocked on the woman’s door asked to borrow detergent for his grandmother on Sept. 17, 2013, one day before his 18th birthday, according to police.
“When she opened the door he choked her and knocked her to the floor, then he hit her and kicked her several times in the chest,” according to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office. “He stole a check from her checkbook and stole her vehicle.”
Collins was later arrested by DeKalb officers, Erik Burton, spokesman for the DA’s office, said in an emailed statement. At the time of his arrest, Collins had one of the victim’s checks in his pocket.
“[Collins] will have more than a decade behind bars to think about this brutal and senseless attack on an innocent senior citizen,” DA Robert James said. “Our office works tirelessly to combat crimes and scams against seniors in DeKalb County. Hopefully this sentence sends a resounding message to those who seek to prey on vulnerable adults.”
Collins must spend at least 15 years in prison, according to the DA.
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