Lexus recovered after carjacking, kidnapping at Checkers; 3 suspects still loose

Two of three suspects sought by Fayetteville police in a recent carjacking. (Credit: Fayetteville Police Department)

Two of three suspects sought by Fayetteville police in a recent carjacking. (Credit: Fayetteville Police Department)

Fayetteville police recovered a stolen Lexus GX470 Tuesday night, but three suspects in the connected carjacking are still on the loose.

Two of the men believed to be involved in a carjacking and kidnapping Sunday outside a Checkers were caught on video surveillance, police spokesman Lt. Mike Whitlow said in a news release.

The Lexus was located late Tuesday in the parking lot of the Riverdale Wal-Mart, Whitlow said.

The victim was sitting in his car about 1:20 a.m. Sunday when three men approached him with firearms, Whitlow said.

After forcing the driver into the back seat, the men climbed into the Lexus and drove to Senoia, where they stopped at a Marathon gas station to get gas, using the victim’s credit card.

They then drove to Byron, where they stopped at a Flash Foods and tried to use the victim’s credit card again inside the store, but the purchase was denied.

The suspects then drove north on Interstate 75 to Forsyth and pulled into a Comfort Inn parking lot about 7 a.m. Sunday to sleep, Whitlow said.

The victim was able to escape the car, run inside the Comfort Inn and call police.

But the suspects got away in the Lexus before police arrived, Whitlow said.

Police describe the men as 18 to 25 years of age, with slim builds.

Detectives will process the recovered Lexus for evidence at the Fayetteville Police Department, Whitlow said.

Anyone who knows the identity of the three suspects is encouraged to contact the Fayetteville Police Department at (770) 461-4441.