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Atlanta

Man arrested after pursuing, detaining hit-and-run driver in Atlanta, police say

Bail bondsman illegally detained driver with rifle, police vest and handcuffs

Pilar Arias By Pilar Arias Fox News
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Man arrested for detaining hit-and-run suspect, Atlanta police say Video

Man arrested for detaining hit-and-run suspect, Atlanta police say

Atlanta police are investigating a fake arrest in which a purported bail bondsman toted a rifle and put handcuffs on a motorist. It happened over the weekend along Georgia 400. FOX 5 Atlanta reports.

Atlanta police are investigating what they call a fake arrest of a motorist on a Georgia highway.

A motorist spotted another driver collide with a vehicle but keep going on Sunday, FOX 5 Atlanta reports. Instead of calling authorities to report what he had seen, Deondre Owens allegedly decided to pursue the hit-and-run driver. 

Owens, at the Georgia Highway 400 ramp by Lenox Road, took out his rifle, a police vest and handcuffs, according to a police report obtained by the TV station.

He then reportedly removed the motorist from his vehicle and walked him over to a police officer, where he identified himself as a bail bondsman.

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Deondre Owens mugshot and background

Atlanta police are investigating a fake arrest in which a purported bail bondsman toted a rifle and put handcuffs on a motorist.  (ulton County Sheriff's Office/FOX 5 Atlanta)

A local attorney told FOX 5 Owens had no authority to do what he did, and that the Peach State did away with what is known as citizen's arrest after the death of Ahmaud Arbery.

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GA state capital

Georgia Legislature reportedly did away with citizen's arrest law after the death of Ahmaud Arbery. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

A bondsman can only detain an individual who may have skipped on a bond, according to attorney Bruce Hagen.   

GA hwy 400 ramp by Lenox Road

Georgia Highway 400 ramp by Lenox Road where Deondre Owens allegedly illegally took a hit-and-run driver into custody.  (FOX 5 Atlanta)

Atlanta police arrested Owens and charged with him aggravated assault and false imprisonment. 

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The driver who failed to stop was not detained but given citations.