By Joe Johnson
An Athens man has been arrested for allegedly carjacking a woman near downtown in May.
Athens-Clarke County police on Thursday announced the arrest of 21-year-old Kentre Jerome Gainer on charges of armed robbery, hijacking a motor vehicle, theft by taking a motor vehicle, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
According to a police incident report, a 66-year-old Laurie Drive resident was in her car eating breakfast the morning on May 17, behind the Jessie B. Denney Tower apartment building at 250 W. Dougherty St. at about 8:30 a.m. when a black male armed with a gun made the victim get out of her vehicle.
The report noted that the victim had just arrived for work at the Athens Housing Authority-owned building where she worked as a part-time caretaker for an elderly resident.
The robber then drove away in the silver 2007 Hyundai Azera four-door sedan that was valued at $5,000, which was later recovered, according to the report.
Lt. Shaun Barnett, public information officer for ACCPD, declined to say how Gainer was identified as a suspect.
“The investigation is still ongoing to see if anyone else was involved,” he said.