Man Charged With Armed Robbery In Woodstock

WOODSTOCK, GA — An 18-year-old Woodstock man has been charged in connection to an armed robbery and assault on another man near Etowah High School.

Tristen Marquis Richardson was booked into the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center on Wednesday, Oct. 24 on one count each of armed robbery and aggravated assault, Cherokee Sheriff's Office spokesperson Jay Baker said.

Richardson was apprehended following an alleged attack on a 19-year-old man out reported around 10:42 p.m. Oct. 19 behind L.A. Fitness at 2060 Eagle Drive.

According to an incident report released by the Woodstock Police Department, the victim said three people "jumped him," and took cash, his cell phone and his wallet. He also said one person, a black male wearing a gray hoodie, pistol-whipped him twice before the attackers fled by running eastbound towards Putnam Ford Road. A firearm was discharged while as the trio was leaving on foot, he told police.

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The victim, who added he recognized one of the assailants, said he ran to Marco's Pizza in a nearby strip mall where four employees noticed he had blood on his face. One of the employees called 911 to alert authorities of the situation. The 19-year-old was taken to an area hospital to be treated for lacerations to his head.

Police canvassed the area and found a firearm by the mailboxes and pool area in the neighborhood behind Marco's. However, no spent shell casings were found in the parking areas surrounding Bojangles, L.A. Fitness or Marco's Pizza.

Woodstock police spokesperson Sgt. Randy Milligan said detectives are trying to determine whether there were multiple attackers or just one assailant. According to the report, a sheriff's deputy indicated there "had been a lot of gang activity" in the area lately.

"They stated that there were over three different gangs in the area now that were causing a break in the peace, including the Bloods and Crips," the officer wrote, referencing the infamous gangs originating out of California. The victim did not indicate whether his alleged assailants were part of a gang.

Richardson remains held without bond at the jail, Baker added.

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