A violent encounter in Midtown Atlanta has led to a string of criminal allegations against a man who police say later stole an Atlanta police cruiser and crashed it into a tanker truck on Interstate 675.
Phelan Thorpe, 30, is accused of attacking Georgia State University student Amaris Coleman on Oct. 3 after allegedly following her from the Midtown MARTA station. Investigators say the confrontation happened near 10th Street and West Peachtree Street, where Coleman was assaulted and had her belongings taken.
Surveillance video released by police shows a man following Coleman before the confrontation. During the struggle, the suspect is seen knocking her down and striking her.
Police said the stolen phone eventually became an important part of the investigation. Investigators used information connected to the device, along with MARTA-related evidence, to help identify Thorpe as the person they were looking for.
Police Say Suspect Took Cruiser During Arrest Attempt
The investigation took another turn two days later.
On Oct. 5, officers went to a home in the 2000 block of Thomasville Drive SE after receiving information that a wanted man, possibly armed, was there. Police identified the man as Thorpe.
According to arrest warrants, Thorpe became confrontational when officers approached. Authorities allege that he threatened the officers before getting into a marked Atlanta police vehicle and driving away.
The stolen cruiser traveled into Clayton County. Police said Thorpe eventually crashed the vehicle into a tanker truck on I-675 near Forest Parkway.
Thorpe was taken into custody after the crash. He suffered minor injuries and was taken for medical evaluation, while authorities said no officers or other civilians were seriously injured.
The crash also caused a temporary shutdown of lanes on the interstate.
Victim Says Threatening Voicemail Added to Her Fear
For Coleman, the case did not end with Thorpe’s arrest.
She later learned that a threatening message had been left on the voicemail greeting of the phone that had been taken during the alleged robbery. In the message, the speaker allegedly demanded $600 through Cash App and made a threat against Coleman.
Coleman has said the discovery left her frightened even after the suspect was behind bars.
“I will say I don’t feel safe,” Coleman told local television reporters. “And I probably won’t feel safe for a long time.”
She also described the original attack as a terrifying experience that happened in the middle of the day.
The incident has drawn additional attention because Coleman is a Georgia State University student and the alleged assault occurred in a busy Midtown area.
Charges and Case Status
Thorpe faces multiple charges stemming from the alleged assault, robbery, confrontation with officers and theft of the police vehicle. The charges include robbery, simple battery, hijacking a motor vehicle, terroristic threats, felony theft by taking, fleeing or attempting to elude police and other offenses.
Thorpe waived his first court appearance following his arrest. Although a $67,000 bond was previously reported, a more recent update said a judge denied bond on one of his latest charges, and prosecutors did not expect him to be released before trial.
Atlanta City Councilman Michael Julian Bond has also called for answers about public safety following the attack, saying he intends to raise the issue with the city’s public safety committee.
The case remains ongoing. The allegations against Thorpe have not been proven in court.
