Inset: Phelan Thorpe. Background: Thorpe allegedly assaulted a woman and stole her cellphone in Atlanta, Georgia (Atlanta Police Department).
A Georgia man allegedly attacked a woman in broad daylight, stole her cellphone and later took an Atlanta police cruiser while officers attempted to arrest him. After the woman recovered her phone, she reportedly discovered that he had left a disturbing message on her voicemail greeting.
Phelan Thorpe, 30, faces allegations including battery, robbery, terroristic threats and motor-vehicle hijacking, along with other charges.
The alleged crime rampage began around 2 p.m. Saturday at 10 Peachtree Place NE in Atlanta. Police-released video of the incident appeared to show the suspect pursuing the woman before knocking her to the ground.
The footage appeared to show Thorpe punching the woman as she lay on the ground, while several bystanders seemed reluctant to step in. He allegedly fled with her cellphone and driver’s license.
Police said investigators identified Thorpe as the suspect and went to the 2000 block of Thomasville Drive SE at about 5:15 p.m. Monday to take him into custody.
According to a warrant obtained by local NBC affiliate WXIA, Thorpe “became irate” and raised his fists as officers approached.
“What the f— ya’ll want, man?” he allegedly said.
The warrant also said he referred to the earlier assault, allegedly declaring, “I killed that b— the other day.”
Thorpe then allegedly threatened the officers, according to the warrant.
“Y’all two b—es can’t take me, y’all needs to call for back up …. I’ll shoot y’all and everybody else,” he allegedly said.
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Thorpe allegedly walked behind a police cruiser, climbed inside and drove away.
Officers said he reached neighboring Clayton County before crashing the cruiser into a tanker truck.
Police arrested Thorpe and booked him into the Fulton County Jail.
Amaris Coleman, the woman allegedly attacked, eventually got her cellphone back from police. She later told local Fox affiliate WAGA that she realized Thorpe had left a message on her voicemail greeting.
“I don’t even give a f— about the phone no more,” Thorpe allegedly said in the message. “I’m gonna come air that b— out, on God. Boy, when I found out I [had] your ID, f— that, shorty, I need $600 on my cash app.”
Police said Thorpe followed Coleman from a commuter train station before the alleged attack.
“I’m in the middle of the street, fighting for my life in the broad daylight,” Coleman told WAGA.
Coleman, a Georgia State University student, described Thorpe as a “menace” and cited his lengthy criminal history, which includes attempted robbery and battery.
“His whole M.O. is to beat people up and steal things that aren’t his,” Coleman said.
Thorpe remains in the Fulton County Jail on a $67,000 bond.
