It took a taser, a determined policeman and several concerned citizens to arrest a man who was stopped in a stolen car, police said.
Lavunn Jay Robertson, 28, of Lawrenceville, was arrested Sunday and remained in custody at the Fulton County Jail with no bond on several of his charges Friday night.
Robertson faces charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, fleeing and attempting to elude police, possession of marijuana, obstruction of officers, theft by recovering stolen property and several minor drug and traffic-related offenses.
According to a police statement, an Atlanta patrol officer became suspicious when he spotted Robertson driving a silver Lexus near Howell Mill Road and Trabert Avenue in northwest Atlanta’s Berkeley Park neighborhood Sunday evening. The officer tried to stop the car when he realized its license plate was registered to a Honda.
Police said Robertson kept driving until he reached the dead end of a parking area. The officer jumped out of his patrol car and ordered Robertson to get out. While he was running up to the Lexus, he saw Robertson toss a shotgun out of the front driver’s side door, according to police.
The Atlanta Police Department released body cam footage from the traffic stop. It showed Robertson slam the door shut and the vehicle begin rolling backwards as the officer tried pulling the suspect out of the driver’s seat. Robertson stopped the car, got out and sat on the ground when the officer drew his gun.
The policeman grabbed one of Robertson’s wrists while he was on the ground. The suspect managed to wriggle out of the officer’s grip as he was being handcuffed. Video showed Robertson break free and run a short distance before the officer shot him with his stun gun. He fell in a row of bushes as a civilian bystander swooped in and helped the officer detain him.
At one point in the video, the officer could be heard pleading for people on scene to help him and the bystander as they fought to keep Robertson in custody.
Moments later, several bystanders could be heard desperately trying to calm the screaming suspect as he was handcuffed.
“Baby, you’re okay,” one woman told Robertson while he shouted and complained that he was in pain. “I know you’re scared...You’re not going anywhere. Just breathe and calm down.”
Following the arrest, investigators eventually learned that the Lexus Robertson was driving had been reported stolen from Atlanta on May 5.
Police seized the discarded shotgun. The officer suffered minor injuries during the brief chase, police indicated.
“Due to Officer Petkov’s awareness, quick response, and bravery, he was able to take this armed repeat offender off the streets,” department officials said in the statement on social media. “At this time, we want to also acknowledge and thank each of the individuals who showed their own level of bravery and community and assisting our officers in getting this suspect under control so that he could effectively be taken into custody. Together we can make and keep our city safe.”
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