Neither of the two suspects accused of killing a 22-year-old mentally challenged man during a robbery inside a taxi cab have been arrested. But Marietta police know who they’re looking for, thanks to one suspect’s fondness for a track suit.
Investigators believe Abdul M. Griffin and a co-conspirator, whose name has not been released, contacted Victory Cab from the Hospitality Inn on Delk Road shortly after 12:30 a.m. Feb. 18, according to an arrest warrant. The two customers requested a ride to the St. Augustine apartments on Franklin Road, according to police.
The cab driver’s 22-year-old mentally challenged son was in the front passenger seat, Marietta police said. But after the ride to the apartments, Griffin and the unnamed suspect then robbed and assaulted Tomas Arriola and his son, who has the same name.
“While said accused (Griffin) was beating and robbing the driver, his co-conspirator seated beside him shot victim Tomas Arriola with a black automatic handgun,” the warrant states. “Tomas Arriola died as a result of his injury.”
Both suspects ran from the taxi, and the driver drove to a nearby gas station for help, according to police. The younger Arriola died after being taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital.
Two days later, an arrest warrant was secured for Griffin, identified by his clothing on surveillance footage from the hotel where he used his phone to call for the cab, according to police. Two hours before the killing, Griffin allegedly showed up for a job interview at a different hotel. He was wearing the same dark track suit jacket with front letters spelling “OBEY,” according to police.
“In addition, a Facebook post from January shows said accused wearing an identical hoodie with identical front lettering, “OBEY,” Griffin’s warrant states.
Cellphone records also linked Griffin to the crime, according to police. He has been charged with homicide, armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, his warrant states. Anyone with information on Griffin’s whereabouts is asked to contact Marietta police.
A funeral service was held Wednesday afternoon for Arriola at F.L. Sims Funeral Home in Smyrna.
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