A suspected thief's attempt to escape with stolen cash led to a dramatic chase and a school bus crash in Marietta, police said. The wild pursuit began after a Facebook Marketplace deal turned robbery, forcing a victim to tail the crook until law enforcement joined the fray.
"This is a classic case of a person trying to do the wrong thing, and fortunately justice prevailed," Marietta Police Sgt. Chuck McPhilamy stated in a release covered by FOX 5 Atlanta. All 18 students aboard the bus were not seriously injured in the commotion, the aftermath of a supposed armed robbery during which the suspect, Jaylen Williams, allegedly used a screwdriver to intimidate buyers he met online.
According to 11Alive, after agreeing to buy a car for $5,000, a couple had Williams brandishing a screwdriver and fleeing with their money, prompting them to follow and contact authorities. A short chase ensued and ended with Williams sideswiping a school bus near Franklin at Cobb Parkway. Three children felt soreness but following a checkup, no injuries were reported, police said.
Victims Abe Elias recounted the event to FOX 5 Atlanta: "As we came back with the cash to buy the car, he was filling out the bill of sale, and then snatched the money and drove off. [We] got in our car, and we followed him." The pursuit continued down Cobb Parkway before Williams crashed into the school bus. He fled on foot but was captured shortly after by police.
Marietta Police underscored the potential danger of such in-person transactions and recommend that such deals take place at local police stations to ensure safety. Officers confirmed that Williams is facing charges of theft by deception and robbery, and he is now housed at Cobb County Jail. Further charges may be pending as the investigation continues.
