Authorities are searching for the owner of a 1999 silver Ford Taurus that they believed was used in an attempted armed robbery over the weekend.
The vehicle is registered to Regina Smith of Stone Mountain and the tag number is 383 SBS. Investigators from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office do not believe the owner had anything to do with the armed robbery but want her to contact them in hopes that she can assist in the investigation.
According to NCSO Public Information Officer Cortney Morrison, a woman arrived home between 1:44 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning at the Enclave Apartments on Gross Lake Parkway.
She reportedly told investigators that she parked her car and began walking to her apartment when two or three black males wearing all black, possibly in their early 20s, began to run toward her from the parking lot area.
One of the men approached her and pointed a small black pistol at her, demanding her keys and cell phone. He then pushed her to the ground and took the items from her. While he guarded her with the pistol, a second man went into her apartment. That man came back and asked her where the money was.
The man with the gun began to force her into her apartment, which is when the victim started to resist and yell for help. The man with the gun allegedly shoved her into a wall at that time, pointed the gun at her again and ordered her to be quiet.
The man who had entered her apartment came running out at that point, saying that a neighbor was calling the cops and it was "time to go," according to Morrison. The victim allegedly heard one of the men yell to the parking lot area to "start the car."
A witness noticed the car occupied by three black males and took down the plate number. The victim’s apartment had been gone through, although nothing was taken. According to Morrison, investigators were able to collect evidence from the scene.
Anyone with information about the would-be robbers, or the owner of the Ford Taurus is asked to contact Investigator Mike Roberts at (678) 625-1413. Tips can be given anonymously by phone or online at www.newtonsheriffga.org.
