Two Dead, Two Jailed After Barrow County Robbery Goes Wrong

GEORGIA — Two 19-year-old suspects are dead and two suspects are in jail Friday after an attempted robbery went wrong, according to the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office.

The bodies of Erika Contreras and Jose Barrera, both of Athens, were found in two different locations near Ga. 82 early Tuesday morning. Authorities said the pair tried to rob a man inside a stopped car on Beech Creek Circle, but their target turned out to have a gun. The two fatalities were identified publicly Friday.

Two other suspects — Julio Rivera, 20, and Alphonzo Gonzalez, 19 — are being held Friday without bond in the Barrow County Jail, according to The Athens Banner-Herald. Both are charged with criminal attempt to commit armed robbery and aggravated assault with intent to rob.

As reported by the Athens newspaper, the robbery victim told authorities that his car was stopped near his home on Beech Creek Circle when he “heard footsteps … and saw a gun in his face.” The victim responded by shooting Barrera, according to the incident report.

The report had no information on how Contreras died. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Contreras was found shot to death in another car nearby.

It’s unclear whether the suspects and the robbery victim knew each other. The Atlanta paper reports that the suspects may face more charges. Authorities haven’t said whether the robbery victim will be charged.

Read the Athens Banner-Herald story on OnlineAthens.