A routine directed patrol in northwest Atlanta on April 15 ended with four people in handcuffs, including a mother and her teenage son, and a pair of allegedly stolen guns pulled off the street. Atlanta police say officers detained the occupants of two vehicles after a traffic stop near the 1500 block of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW, and later-released video shows at least one suspect urgently calling for backup of a very different kind: friends to come watch him get arrested. Officers say both vehicles were towed and the evidence was secured.
Police say a whiff of marijuana started it all
Just before 6 p.m. on April 15, officers on patrol near the 1500 block of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW spotted a gray Kia K5 with four people inside. According to police, the driver, identified as Kemonte Pue, tried to hide a burning marijuana cigarette when officers approached. After a pat-down, officers reported finding a Glock 19X handgun and about 9.6 grams of marijuana.
Two minors were among the Kia's passengers, and police say the adults were detained as the on-scene investigation quickly expanded, according to WSB-TV.
Second car rolls in, and the situation escalates
While officers were still dealing with the Kia, a black Dodge Charger pulled into the roadway. Police say the driver, identified as Danyotta Thomas, interfered with the ongoing investigation. Her son, K'von Thomas, and passenger Deondravous Sheats got out of the Charger, and that is when things, as police describe it, took a turn.
According to investigators, Sheats ran from the scene and threw what appeared to be a bag of marijuana before officers caught up with him a short time later. Police body camera video captures at least one suspect on the phone telling someone, “I’m getting locked up, come,” as officers continued processing the unfolding scene. Not exactly a subtle exit strategy.
What police say they found, and who is charged with what
During an inventory search of the Dodge Charger, Atlanta police report finding two stolen firearms equipped with illegal conversion devices, along with marijuana packaged in a way officers say was consistent with distribution.
All four adults were arrested and taken to jail. Pue faces charges that include possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of marijuana, and obstruction. Danyotta Thomas was charged with obstruction of law enforcement, interference with an active investigation, and traffic obstruction. Police say K'von Thomas is charged with obstruction and traffic obstruction, while Sheats faces obstruction charges with additional counts pending, as reported by WSB-TV.
According to authorities, both vehicles were towed from the scene and the collected evidence was logged and secured.
Atlanta police have not said whether the recovered guns are linked to any other cases. Prosecutors will determine the formal charges and next legal steps. The department is asking anyone who may have additional information or video of the incident to contact investigators.
