iPhone tracking device aids in arrests of Midtown armed robbery suspects

According to the Atlanta Police Department, a trio of men were arrested early Wednesday morning following an alleged Midtown pedestrian robbery. Among the items stolen was an iPhone that had a tracking device that help authorities apprehend the suspects.

APD spokesperson Kim Jones that at approximately 12:30 a. m., Zone 2 units were dispatched to a pedestrian robbery at 594 Wimbledon Avenue in Piedmont Heights. When officers arrived, they spoke with a female victim, who stated that a black male wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt had pointed a silver handgun at her and demanded her belongings.

The victim, who gave the suspect her purse and iPhone, gave police a description of the suspect, as well as the vehicle he left in as being an older model grey Jeep Cherokee. One officer then stayed with the victim as another officer began to track the iPhone. 

That officer soon came across the vehicle in question near the intersection of Peachtree Street and North Avenue. After a traffic stop was made, a locate signal was sent to the phone, which reportedly started making noise and was located on one of the passengers.

The victim was then transported to the scene and identified the subject, Carlos Johnson, 37, as the man who had robbed her. A subsequent vehicle search produced a silver handgun and the victim’s credit card.

Johnson, a convicted felon currently on probation, was charged with armed robbery and possession of a firearm during a felony.

Also charged with armed robbery were the other two suspects in the vehicle, Kelvin Gaston and Clifton Kilpatrick, both aged 23. All three were transported to the Fulton County Jail.