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Man shot at CVS suspected in 32 previous robberies
1WEB Windermere closed
Windermere Parkway was closed most of the day after the crash as officials investigated the officer-involved shooting. - photo by Jim Dean

THE GRIND: Horizon Christian Academy's Michael Walker

By: Joshua Sutton

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SOUTH FORSYTH -- The 36-year-old Cobb County man at the center of a car chase and shooting Saturday morning in south Forsyth is a suspect in 32 previous armed robberies in the metro Atlanta area, federal authorities said.

 

According to FBI Special Agent Stephen Emmett, two FBI agents and a Cherokee County Sheriff's deputy were watching Kelvone Charleston of Austell in the parking lot of the CVS drug store at Old Atlanta Road and Windermere Parkway.

  

Emmett said they stopped Charleston before he entered the business about 7 a.m. because they were certain he was about to rob it and has a "history of armed confrontations during these robberies."

 

While authorities could not confirm a connection, it was exactly a week ago that a CVS store on Bells Ferry Road in nearby Canton was robbed just as employees opened the store for the morning.  

 

In that robbery, the suspect reportedly took both money and personal property before locking a store clerk in the restroom.

 

Emmet said Charleston was shot several times Saturday.  

 

Three vehicles -- one driven by Charleston and two unmarked law enforcement cars -- were involved in a crash at the exit from CVS on to Windermere Parkway.  

 

The vehicle in which Charleston was traveling was left straddling the median on Windermere Parkway while the agents' cars ended up rolling onto their driver’s side.  

 

The law enforcement officers were taken to area hospitals with what were described as crash-related injuries. Emmett said all three are expected to recover.  

 

Charleston also was hospitalized with several gunshot wounds. His condition was not available.

 

It could not immediately be determined if Charleston was shot before, during or after the pursuit. Nor was it clear whether he was armed and shot at the officers.

 

Windermere Parkway likely will remain closed between the entrance to South Forsyth Middle School and Old Atlanta Road for most of the day as investigators gather evidence.