DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Police have arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with a violent DeKalb County carjacking that sent a 74-year-old woman to a hospital last week.
Aaron Johnson is facing charges of robbery by force and elder abuse in the incident last Thursday at a Chevron gas station on the corner of Gresham and Cook roads. The victim, Rosa Smith, was punched repeatedly in the face before her attacker took off in her red Nissan Rogue, according to DeKalb police.
Carjacking Arrest: Aaron Johnson, 17, one of the accomplices in last week's violent carjacking attack of a 74-year-old woman, is behind bars! DKPD arrested Johnson on Wednesday, Dec. 11. He's charged with Robbery by Force and Elder Abuse. Two other suspects remain. #DKPD
— DeKalb County Police Department (@DeKalbCountyPD) December 12, 2019
Smith’s terrier mix Daphne was still inside the vehicle. The dog was found wandering in the road later Thursday night in southwest Atlanta and has been reunited with her family.
Smith, a retired attorney, was hospitalized following the attack. She didn’t suffer any broken bones, but she was left battered and bruised with gashes on her forehead, mouth and cheeks, according to police. She also complained of extreme pain in her hips.
In surveillance video of the incident, Smith was left on the ground in the parking lot. Investigators later released photos of the carjacking suspect as well as two accomplices, identified as Joshua Bryant and Tiffany Swanson, they said got into the Nissan before it left the gas station. The vehicle has not been recovered.
Joshua Bryant (20) and Tiffany Swanson (19) are the final two suspects wanted for last week’s violent carjacking attack. Pls dial 911 if you have seen them! #DKPD pic.twitter.com/2NdmomcuqW
— DeKalb County Police Department (@DeKalbCountyPD) December 12, 2019
Johnson turned himself in Wednesday after police coordinated with his parents. He was arrested without incident and is being held in the DeKalb County Jail without bond.
Johnson is not the primary carjacking suspect, who was shown with a beard in the photos released by police, department spokeswoman Michaela Vincent said.
Carjacking Update: Thanks to tips, we’ve learned that 1 of the 3 suspects in last week’s carjacking is a female (red shirt w/arm tattoo). All suspects (2 males & 1 female) are still wanted, including the primary male suspect who is wearing a grey jacket & red shirt. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Qong5hFgnk
— DeKalb County Police Department (@DeKalbCountyPD) December 9, 2019
Anyone with information about the two remaining suspects is asked to call DeKalb detectives at 404-786-7990. Tipsters can remain anonymous, and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000, by contacting Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, texting information to 274637 or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.
This article was written by Chelsea Prince, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
© 2019 Cox Media Group
