Federal agents in the United States have apprehended a man they describe as a 'master of disguise', accusing him of carrying out a three-month armed robbery spree across the Atlanta metropolitan area.
The Arrest and Alleged Crime Spree
Tracy Mingo, a 32-year-old from College Park, Georgia, was taken into custody by the FBI's Violent Crime Squad on 2 January in Doraville. Authorities state he was apprehended while preparing to target another business, bringing his alleged crime wave to an end. The FBI alleges that Mingo's robberies began in October and continued through December, targeting late-night retail outlets including Circle K convenience stores, Subway restaurants, and Family Dollar shops.
Investigators connected the crimes through surveillance footage, revealing a disturbing and calculated pattern. To avoid detection, the suspect reportedly utilised a range of occupational disguises to approach unsuspecting employees without raising immediate alarm.
A Calculated and Dangerous Pattern
"He's dangerous," FBI Supervisory Agent Matthew Komar told Fox 5 Atlanta. "He was targeting female employees at these locations. He would dress up in costumes, kind of be like a security guard, construction worker, DoorDash delivery guy, to where they wouldn't suspect him at first, then he would pull his gun out."
Officials believe Mingo frequently cased businesses beforehand, monitoring staffing levels and customer flow. His strategy allegedly focused on locations where female clerks were working alone during late-night closing hours, a tactic thought to minimise resistance and potential witnesses.
The robberies spanned multiple counties, including Cobb, Gwinnett, Fulton, and DeKalb. Specific incidents linked to the investigation include a mid-December robbery at a Family Dollar on Bouldercrest Road, a late-December holdup at a Subway in Marietta, and another Family Dollar robbery in Decatur shortly after. In most heists, Mingo is believed to have escaped with between $2,000 and $3,000.
Charges and Ongoing Investigation
Mingo is currently being held at the Fulton County Jail, facing a litany of serious charges. These include armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and making terroristic threats.
While the FBI has tied Mingo to at least 11 armed robberies, investigators suspect there may be additional victims. The agency is now urging other law enforcement departments with unsolved robbery cases to come forward if they believe the crimes may be connected to this spree.
The arrest highlights the methods used by some violent criminals to exploit the vulnerability of late-night retail workers, and the extensive cross-jurisdictional cooperation often required to apprehend them.
