A local doctor says it was the scariest 25 seconds of his life, when he was carjacked at Phipps Plaza outside of Saks Fifth Avenue.
“This guy just came out of a black SUV, parked to my left, showed me the gun (and said), 'Give me the keys give me the keys,'” Dr. Ademola Opanuga said.
Police said Opanuga dropped his keys and the carjacker left in his car, a 2015 Mercedes S550.
Police said the car has tracking capabilities, but they were unable to activate it through the Mercedes-Benz dealership.
Atlanta police said the incident happened on Sunday at the high-end Buckhead mall, just after 5 p.m.
Investigators released surveillance video on Monday showing the carjacking in progress.
The carjacker is described as a black man, about 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet, 11 inches tall, with a mustache. He was wearing dark clothing with a large logo on the back side of the shirt.
Opanuga told Channel 2’s Sophia Choi, he may still visit the mall, but he’s now considering getting a gun.
“I suppose I just want to make sure I'm no longer a victim, at least personally, and do whatever it takes to protect myself,” he said.
In a statement obtained by Channel 2 Action News, Phipps Plaza said:
“Phipps Plaza is committed to providing a safe, quality-shopping environment and takes several proactive security measures, including maintaining a 24-hour security patrol of our mall, parking garages and surrounding parking lots, and provides shoppers and employees with security escorts to their vehicles upon request.”
Phipps Plaza also said it is working with Atlanta police.
Despite the number of cameras and security officers already at Phipps Plaza, Opanuga said there could be more.
“I guess I just want more security, at the very least, for everybody that comes through,” he said. “You would think at 5 p.m., shopping in that area, what could possibly go wrong?”
About the Author
