Arrests made in cabbie carjackings
Two suspects linked to multiple robberies and assaults of Atlanta area taxicab drivers have been arrested, police announced late Wednesday.
Atlanta and DeKalb police worked together to nab the two men, charged with armed robbery, kidnapping and aggravated assault. Their identities are being withheld as police continue to search for a third suspect.
"The suspects were identified through images taken from surveillance video near one of the crime scenes," said APD spokesman Carlos Campos.
Two cabdrivers were robbed at gunpoint in separate incidents late Friday night and early Saturday morning on Boulevard and North Avenue, respectively. DeKalb authorities are working to solve seven similar cases, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
"The suspects have pretended to be legitimate fares, often summoning cabs from the same general area in the city," Campos said. "Instead, they have robbed and beaten cab drivers, and in some cases taken their vehicles."
Luke Azubuike, president of the Atlanta Taxicab Industry Association, told the AJC Monday the number of robberies in such a short period was unprecedented.
"This is very, very unusual," he said.
Another weekend attack, on a Clayton County cabbie, has not been linked to the others.
About the Author
A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. He's covered some of the biggest trials this decade, from Hemy Neuman to Ross Harris to Chip Olsen, the latter of which was featured on Season 7 of the AJC's award-winning "Breakdown" podcast.
