A California man has been arrested on felony charges for robbing a Peachtree City teen of money at an ATM after she agreed to buy a magazine subscription that he and another male claimed they were selling door-to-door.
Christian F. Betts-Kopp, 18, was charged with felony robbery by sudden snatching, according to the Peachtree City Police Department.
Police are also looking for a second man, described as a black male, who is said to be a person of interest.
Officers at 2 p.m. on Feb. 9 arrived at the residence of a 16-year-old female at Balmoral Village in response to a robbery call, according to reports.
Officers were told by the female that two males had solicited funds from her at her door. The scenario was typical, with the males saying they were college students selling magazines. The suspects convinced the juvenile to take them to an ATM because they needed cash for the donation, police said.
After arriving at the ATM and after entering her PIN number, one of the males pushed her out of the way and withdrew the cash from the ATM, said police.
Betts-Kopp was found and identified by patrol officers. The California resident was charged following an interview with the department’s Criminal Investigation Division.
Further investigation revealed that Betts-Kopp has been charged in Lincoln, Illinois, for robbery, battery and mob action where he allegedly beat another victim while soliciting magazines, police said.
Peachtree City police advise that citizens never assume that all solicitors are harmless. Call 911 for any solicitor who is aggressive and/or does not possess a permit to solicit.
Police thanked the public for numerous reports on the department’s social media site reporting soliciting within the city. One such report came on the evening of Feb. 10, officers said.
Anyone with information on this or other incidents is asked to contact the Peachtree City Police Dept. at 770-487-8866 or submit an anonymous tip at www.tipsubmit.com (select “Peachtree”) or through the Facebook app.
