Police Warn of Buckhead Rear-Ending Carjacking Tactic

Atlanta Police's Zone 2 Commander Major Van Hobbs is warning Buckhead drivers about a new tactic carjacking suspects are using to get drivers out of their cars– rear-ending their vehicles, robbing them and speeding away in their vehicles once the victims get out to inspect potential damage.

In an email, Hobbs advised drivers who may find themselves in similar situations: 

• Do not exit your vehicle but lock the doors, put on your flashers, and call 911 to report the accident.
• Leave the vehicle in gear in case you need to escape the area.
• Watch your mirrors to see what actions the individual(s) inthe vehicle that struck you are taking.
• If multiple subjects exit the vehicle and approach your vehicle rapidly or you feel threatened, leave the area and call 911.

Buckhead Patch first reported of the rear-ending carjacking tactic in the April 22 Buckhead Crime Blotter.

An incident on April 9 was the first of this kind reported in Buckhead this year. According to the police, a woman said she was hit from behind in her car. When she pulled over to get information and dial 911, the other party came out of his car and robbed her of her purse and watch. The suspect is described as a white man who is 5'8", 200 pounds with a gold tooth. He was wearing black hooded sweats and was driving a Chrysler 300 with tinted windows.

However, since then, there have been two other incidents.

In one incident, Mark Hutto and his wife were returning home from a Wednesday date around 11 p.m. when their car was bumped in the rear at West Wesley and Howell Mill Road. Hutto exited his vehicle to inspect damage only to find a man pointing a gun at him.

Hutto gave the man his wallet and the man sped away in his vehicle while two other suspects followed in the rear vehicle, leaving the couple on the side of the road.

Another incident happened on Wednesday morning on Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard, according to WSB-TV.

Atlanta Police are investigating whether this rear-ending carjackings are related to a carjacking of Georgia Tech students last week. The students' vehicle was not rear-ended, but one of the victims said the suspects seemed "pretty coordinated" and likely had watched them closely.