ATLANTA — An Atlanta police officer helped catch a murder suspect and it was thanks to a passing cyclist on the BeltLine.
Authorities were searching for the suspect in the murder of 37-year-old Andrew Scott Callahan, who was shot and killed at the Old Fourth Ward Skate Park last weekend, when they said they came across him in the area Wednesday.
The suspect, 21-year-old Nicholas Fonseca, immediately jumped on a bicycle and left the area as soon as he noticed officers, police said.
Officers from APD’s Zone 6 and Path Force Unit began chasing Fonseca on foot, but one officer stopped a passing bicyclist and asked if he could borrow his bike. The cyclist agreed and the officer then started to bike along the BeltLine to catch up to Fonseca.
“Let me borrow your bike, man,” the officer said before hopping on and continuing the chase.
All of this was caught on bodycam video.
Police said the officer was able to see the suspect and provide updates on their location to nearby officers.
Officers were able to catch up and arrest Fonseca near Ponce City Market. He is currently in the Fulton County Jail charged with felony murder.
Police want to thank the passing cyclist who loaned out his bicycle to the officer.
APD arrests Willoughby Way homicide suspect with help from cyclistAn arrest has been made in the June 28, 2020 shooting death of Andrew Scott Callahan, age 37, of Atlanta. Homicide detectives were able to identify the suspect in the shooting as 21-year-old Nicholas Fonseca, of Atlanta. On Tuesday, June 30, detectives were canvassing the area where the shooting occurred near 830 Willoughby Way NE. They spotted Fonseca, who immediately fled the area on a bicycle, riding onto the BeltLine path to escape. Officers from APD’s Zone 6 and Path Force Unit responded and pursued Fonseca on foot. During the pursuit, one of the officers was able to borrow a bicycle from a passing cyclist in an attempt to catch up to the suspect. The officer was able to maintain sight of the suspect and provide updates on their location to nearby officers. Officers were able to catch up to and apprehend the Fonseca near Ponce City Market without incident. He is currently in the Fulton County Jail charged with Felony Murder. We are proud of the work our investigators put into this case and proud of the efforts made by our officers in pursuing and apprehending this dangerous suspect. Additionally, we are grateful for the assistance of the cyclist in loaning us his bicycle. With help from the community, we can make the City of Atlanta safer.
Posted by City of Atlanta Police Department on Wednesday, July 1, 2020
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