Atlanta Police Thwart Pedestrian Robbery

MECHANICSVILLE — Crimes are usually a matter of opportunity and luck.

By that measure, someone should have told a young teen attempting to steal multiple mobile phones from pedestrians in front of police doesn't qualify as an opportune time.

But that's exactly what police said occurred Monday night during regular patrols.

Atlanta Police Department officers from Zone 3, on routine patrol, saw a fracas unfolding around 10 p.m. at Formwalt Park, just off Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard SW and Formwalt Street SW.

When the teen realized he had an audience watching, he ran.

Officers gave chase on foot, caught him and charged the youth with attempted robbery.

The teen, who was not named because he is a minor, was taken to the METRO Youth Detention Center.