Group Indicted for String of Violent Robberies, Carjacking Across Cobb County

Four suspects have been indicted on 38 chargesrelated to a violent crime spree across Cobb County in early 2024, including armed robberies, carjackings, and aggravated assaults—one of which forced Kennesaw State University to go on lockdown.

The suspects are Giovanni Brown, 21, of Lithonia; Alijah Carter, 20, of Decatur; Khalil Lloyd, 18, of Atlanta; and Jermaine Phipps, Jr., of Roswell. A fifth suspect, also connected to the crimes, has not been listed in the indictments.

According to arrest warrants, the crime spree began in the early morning hours of Jan. 14, 2024, at a QuickTrip gas station in Roswell, where the group allegedly stole vapes and tobacco products at gunpoint. The suspects then targeted a Shell station in Kennesaw, robbing two victims while pointing firearms.

Later that morning, the group allegedly vandalized multiple vehicles at a Marietta auto repair shop before a violent climax at a Motel 6 on Delk Road. Police say Marietta resident Garrett Osteen, 43, was shot in the back of the head as the suspects fired at the vehicle during an attempted robbery. Osteen survived and testified to police, while another passenger suffered minor injuries.

The spree continued ten days later when the group allegedly attempted a carjacking at a Waffle House near KSU. The incident prompted a secure-in-place alert on the KSU campus while police apprehended the fifth suspect in possession of the stolen vehicle’s keys.

The suspects now face numerous charges, including:

• Armed robbery (4 counts)
• Aggravated assault (6 counts)
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony (15 counts)
• Second-degree criminal damage to property (8 counts)
• Criminal attempt to commit a felony (3 counts)
• Aggravated battery
• Motor vehicle hijacking

Arrests were made in collaboration between Cobb County Police, Marietta Police, and DeKalb County Police. Brown, Carter, and Lloyd are being held at Cobb County Jail without bond, while Phipps’ arrest status remains unclear.

The indictment highlights the coordinated efforts of law enforcement to stop a dangerous crime ring that terrorized multiple communities over several days.