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Toccoa man wanted in Franklin County home invasion arrested in Athens

Wayne Ford
Athens Banner-Herald

A Toccoa man wanted in a home invasion in Franklin County was arrested early Sunday in Athens after police spotted him in a stolen car, authorities said Monday.

An Athens-Clarke officer stopped the stolen Volvo about 3:30 a.m. and arrested 33-year-old Allijah Timothy Banks, according to the police report.

Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas said Banks is charged with felony home invasion, armed robbery and burglary in the crime that occurred Saturday in the Plainview community west of Carnesville.

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The home invasion occurred about 8:30 a.m. when Thomas said the victim, a man in his 70s, answered a knock on the front door and was confronted by the suspect.

The suspect entered the house, beat the victim with a curtain rod and stole money, clothing and the man’s Volvo, according to Thomas.

The victim “did not go to the hospital, but he was beat up pretty good,” Thomas said.

After a statewide lookout was posted for the Volvo, the Athens-Clarke officer observed it stopped despite a green light at North Avenue and Willow Street, according to the police report.

The officer reported he followed the car and pulled it over at Dougherty and Thomas streets. He also saw another man behind the steering wheel, but watched as Banks exchanged places so it appeared he was the driver, according to the report.

The 41-year-old passenger told police he was walking on Prince Avenue when the Volvo driver offered him a ride.

The police officer also found methamphetamine in the car, which the passenger said belonged to Banks, who admitted consuming some of the drug, according to the report.

Police contacted Franklin County and a sheriff’s investigator arrived and took custody of Banks.