Atlanta security guard arrested after chasing, shooting liquor store thief
Atlanta Ga January 5 2019
A wild chase, shots fired, a pursuit worthy of a movie said one person who witnessed part of the events after a liquor store security guard chased a man suspected of shoplifting and shot at him during the vehicle chase.
When it was all said and done, the security guard is facing charges after police said he confronted a thief Wednesday night, shot him, chased him in a vehicle and fired more warning shots.
Police said that this was an hours-long ordeal that started about 10:45 p.m. when a man stole alcohol from Tower Beer, Wine and Spirits in the 2100 block of Piedmont Road,
Atlanta police spokesman Officer Jarius Daugherty told AJC.com that it lasted longer than most police pursuits.
The security guard first confronted him, and “a physical altercation ensued,” he said.
The man managed to get away with the stolen alcohol, and that’s when the guard allegedly went after him in a vehicle and shot at him.
Eventually, the guard caught up with the man and demanded the stolen alcohol back, according to police. The man complied, but the security guard fired more shots in the ground, prompting the man to run again, Daugherty said.
The security guard and the man have not been identified.
Police responded to the area and arrested the security guard on charges of reckless conduct and discharging a gun within city limits. A charge of aggravated assault was later added and more charges could be filed.
Atlanta police said they’ve seen a lot shoplifting cases but none quiet like this.
Officers canvassed the area looking for the injured man. He was found about 2 a.m. after employees at the Regal Tara Cinemas 4 on Cheshire Bridge Road saw a man bleeding in the movie theater, Atlanta police Capt. Reginald Moorman told Channel 2 Action News.
Moorman said the man had been shot in the elbow. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. Officials have not said if he will be charged.
