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Smyrna Robbery Suspect Arrested After Facebook Tip

He's been arrested in connection with the armed robberies of three Smyrna Subway locations.

 

Social media helped the Smyrna Police Department catch a Kennesaw man wanted in connection with the armed robberies of three Subway restaurants.

On Feb. 1, Smyrna authorities posted surveillance footage of the suspect on the city's Facebook page and asked the public to call the police department with any leads.

That move provided detectives with the break that they needed in the case.

Someone recognized the man in the footage as 30-year-old John Paul Wigart, said Officer Michael E. Smith, the spokesman for the department.

Wigart was arrested this week and charged with three counts of armed robbery and three counts of possession of firearm or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies. 

He is being held in the Cobb County Adult Detention Facility without bond.

Related Topics: Armed Robbery, Crime, Smyrna crime, and Subway Restaurant

Ron Fennel

6:43 am on Saturday, February 9, 2013

Great job, Smyrna Police! And to the citizen involvement, who helped make the arrest possible. Social media is amazing. Neighbors helping neighbors!

Ron Fennel, Smyrna

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Bryan smith

5:51 pm on Saturday, February 9, 2013

Well y'all got the wrong guy. Sad part is the real criminal is still out there. Nice job Facebook arresting the wrong person.

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Anny Wun

11:25 pm on Saturday, February 9, 2013

What other evidence is there? No way the video can be the only thing the police have...there's a resemblance, but it's definitely not a perfect match. Fingerprints? Gun? Alibi? Oh, by the way, what does his position at Publix have to do with anything?

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Paul Smyrna

1:26 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013

I'm sure there is more evidence than just the photo, maybe all those you mention as well as interview and lineup with victims. Where does it say anything about Publix?

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MA Evans

10:19 am on Monday, February 11, 2013

Someone made a comment about Wigart & Publix but it's been deleted. What scares me the most is that the arrest was made because one person said it was him. I knew someone who was falsely arrested for robbery. What an awful mess. I think they got the wrong guy.

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F Brandt

2:50 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013

That is scary Evans. I dont see how Wigart was pegged as the robber. Wigart weighs 170 lbs according to the mugshot website, the guy in the video easily weighs 210-215, maybe more. It looks like he spends time in the gym. Its definitely not a match when you look at the body size.

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Mrs Stewart

11:41 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013

This is not John Wigart. I have watched these videos and known this young man since 1998, followed his life and his career. Suspect does everything with his right hand, I am pretty sure John is left handed. The video person is heavier, fuller in the face and torso than John. Social media can't be used this loosely and destroy an innocent person's life.

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MA Evans

12:25 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

They arrested him because one person said it was him. Ridiculous. But the police don't care if they arrest the wrong person they just want an arrest so they can claim they got the criminal. It's scarey. And like I said before I knew someone falsely arrested. He had a condition that caused his eyes to shift right and left. He couldn't control it. He kept saying "Look at my eyes. Did the robber have this condition?" No one listened to him. He had to go through a trial. Luckily he was found not guilty. This happens a lot.

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peyton john ovington

12:27 am on Thursday, May 16, 2013

Is the guy still in jail? Compare his height to the subway ad sign,duh! Cops should have done this before they even brought him in.The two really don"t look that much alike. I could be wrong but this looks like another hearsay case! It"s funny and sad that hearsay is seldom admissable in a court of law but it sure can get you some time in the slammer!!! Is this guy out on bond?If so,the cops know they screwed up,otherwise he would"nt stand a chance for bond! Did they take him downtown and put him in a lineup? Doubt it!!! On what basis did they contrive the warrant? See,ya"ll are only tellin half the story!!! This is propaganda news.I hope he wins the so called case and receives buku deneiros from the city!

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john jackson

4:10 am on Thursday, May 16, 2013

Tell us all the facts or do you even have them? Wigart"s lower face is wider than the rest of his head! Blow up the video of the robber and what do you see?

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