Armed truck driver fights back against 4 strong-arm robbers at truck stop

Police in Georgia are on the lookout for suspects who attempted a strong-arm robbery at a truck stop location on Tuesday.

The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on July 28 at a Pilot truck stop location at 243 Connector 3 near Dalton, Georgia.

According to local news outlet The Daily Citizen, four males approached a truck driver about selling tires while in the back part of the truck stop parking lot.

Then three of the men grabbed the trucker while the fourth reportedly seized a bag that he was holding containing cash.

“The truck driver was strong-armed by four white male assailants. During the struggle, the victim retrieved a handgun that he had on his person and attempted to counteract the robbery by shooting at one of the assailants. Once the victim commenced shooting, all the assailants dispersed,” the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office explained in a press release.

No injuries were reported.

One of the suspects fled in a gold colored Chrysler Town & Country minivan. The other three fled on foot.

The minivan was spotted on I-75 by an officer with the Georgia Department of Public Safety Motor Carrier Compliance Division. A traffic stop was performed and 52 year old Walter Wathen of Ohio was arrested in connection with the robbery.

Police are still looking for the three suspects who fled on foot. They are all described as white males between the ages of 30 and 50. At the time of the robbery, one was wearing a black hat, black pants, and a black shirt. A second suspect was wearing a white shirt and blue or khaki shorts. The third suspect wore a grey shirt and hat.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office at 706-278-1233.