Armed carjacking sparks high-speed chase in Coweta County, victim speaks out

NEWNAN, Ga. - Two teens suspected in an armed carjacking are in custody after a high-speed chase through Coweta County ended along Lora Smith Road on Monday afternoon. According to the Coweta County Sheriff's Office, the victim called 911 around 4 p.m. to report that her vehicle had been stolen at gunpoint by two men along Hyde Circle.

Editor's note: This story was updated Tuesday morning to reflect that both suspects have been arrested. 

Deputies spotted the same vehicle along Georgia Highway 34 and attempted to pull it over. However, the driver did not stop and instead led them on a high-speed pursuit. Deputies performed a P.I.T. maneuver, causing the vehicle to crash along Lora Smith Road just south of Lovely Lane.

The two occupants ran into the woods. Deputies, assisted by a Georgia State Patrol trooper, swarmed the neighborhood in an attempt to apprehend the pair. The sheriff's office's K-9 and drone units were employed to track the suspects and one was immediately taken into custody. 

The second suspect, described as a teen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, light-colored shorts, and light-colored shoes, was initially able to escape. The suspect was later taken into custody. 

Officials told FOX 5 that the suspects are a 15-year-old runaway from Virginia and a 16-year-old from McDonough, Georgia.

Deputies reported that two handguns were found at the scene.

During the incident, the campuses of Arnall Middle School and White Oak Elementary School were placed on lockdown. Residents in the area are being asked to keep their doors and windows locked and to call 911 immediately if they see anyone suspicious.

Coweta County carjacking victim describes terror

FOX 5 spoke exclusively with the victim of the carjacking, Ingrid Ramos, on Monday evening. She says she was still pretty shaken up after what happened to her. 

"Yeah, I’m still nervous and I’m shaking," she said.

Ramos says she had just finished cleaning a house and was getting ready to move on to the next one when the two-armed suspects approached her. 

"I'm looking back, and I see two guys in front of me, and both of them have guns. And they said, ‘Move, move, move it!’ And that’s it, and they got in my car, and they left," Ramos said. 

Manuel Soto, who helped her recover her belongings from the car, says he is just glad they did not shoot her. 

"We’re lucky that nobody hurt her. So, we don't care about the car. We can get another car," Soto said. 

Soto and Ramos say they are impressed by the quick police work.

"That's beautiful. I can't believe it…I mean, 10 minutes later, it's real good," Soto said. 

"They’re working real good," Ramos said. 

Along with the car, police recovered all of Ramos’ cleaning supplies and her phone. 

"You just think you’re going to lose everything. You got to make money, and somebody comes and takes it all," Ramos said.