Crime & Safety

Metro PCS Robbed in Snellville

The suspects got away with an undisclosed amount of money.

are searching for at least two suspects who robbed a Metro PCS store at gunpoint Wednesday evening, according to Chief Roy Whitehead.

The robbery happened about 6:15 p.m., Whitehead said. The store is located in the New London Plaza, which is wedged between Main Street, Knollwood Drive and Centerville Highway.

A media report by WSBTV.com, indicated that workers were held in a bathroom during the robbery. The report said that two men robbed the store of an undisclosed amount of money, while one waited in the getaway car.

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A description of the vehicle -- a 2001 white Monte Carlo -- matched that of suspects in other robberies in Gwinnett and other locations, the chief said. Officers arriving to the scene of the Snellville robbery believed it to be the work of the same people.

"After further investigation, we discovered that one of our officers had run the tag on a vehicle of same type earlier in the evening," Whitehead said.

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Police later received tips that helped identify at least one of the suspects, and a warrant has been issued for that man's arrest. 

In other crime news, Snellville Police reported on its Facebook page, that there was also a recent effort to rob the QuikTrip on Scenic Hwy at Dogwood Road. However, an off-duty police officer (Lt. Waye Brown) in line at the time foiled those plans.

"After he demanded the money from the cashier Lt. Brown snatched the offender right up," police said on Facebook.

Further details from Chief Whitehead revealed that the man wanted Lt. Brown to give him a ride to Lawrenceville. When Lt. Brown said he could not give him a ride, "the man went to the pay phone and began screaming into the phone," the chief said.

The man then entered the convenience store, with Lt Brown following quickly behind. That's when the man began demanding money from a clerk. The clerk gave the man $15, Whitehead said. 

"Lt. Brown was in line right behind the man, asked him to step out of the store, and the man complied," Chief Whitehead said. "He placed the man under arrest for robbery."

The man was wearing a T-shirt, tie and sweat pants at the time, and police said that he may have mental health concerns.

The suspect was later booked into the Gwinnett County Detention Center.

If residents have any information regarding crimes in Snellville, they should email crimetips@snellville.org or call 770-985-7212.


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