Kenyatta Cosby called police as men invaded his home early Thursday, October 18, 2012.ATLANTA -
One suspect in a southwest Atlanta home invasion waived her court appearance on Friday as the victim explains how her 12-year-old son saved her life during the terrifying attack.
According to Atlanta police, the incident happened just after midnight at a home on Catherine Street. They say the home was occupied by two women, a man and a 12-year-old Kenyatta Cosby.
Police say the victims told them that three men kicked in the door and held Shereka Austin and her sister-in-law at gunpoint. Austin, Kenyatta's mother, said the suspects tied her up with duct tape and struck her in the head with a pistol.
"Was awakened up with three guys, no mask, pulled me out my bed, throwing me down on the bed, asking me where the money was," said Austin.
Austin said that she told the men she had some money in her purse. They took that but said it wasn't enough. Austin said that she then told the invaders that the money was in a wall.
"I was telling them that to stall them…so someone could get here and save us," said Austin.
The men started tearing out the wall. One of the men told Austin that he would start shooting if he didn't find any money.
In the meantime, Crosby and family friend Richard Kinney, who were upstairs unbeknownst to the invaders, were awakened by the noise. Kinney peaked downstairs and saw the invaders, ran back upstairs, dialed 911 and gave it to Crosby.
Cosby crawled into crawlspace and talked to 911 operators.
OPERATOR: "They're on their way. Are the people still in your home?"
CALLER: "I don't know."
OPERATOR: Don't hang up the phone, okay? If somebody comes in the room just lay down. What room are you in?
"If it weren't for him…he saved our lives and I'm grateful for that," said Austin.
Police say when units arrived at the scene, one of the suspects fled into some nearby woods, a second suspect took off in a black Chrysler Pacifica, and a third suspect took off in a Mustang, driven by a woman identified as 25-year-old Minerva Riche.
Authorities were not able to apprehend the suspect who fled into the woods, nor the one in the Pacifica.
According to police, additional units arrived on the scene and began to chase the Mustang. Police caught up with the Mustang in the Fairburn area. Riche was taken into custody, but the male suspect got away.
Police recovered two purses and two weapons, an AR-15 assault rifle and a Beretta 40 caliber hand gun, near the home.
Riche is charged with aggravated assault, burglary, false imprisonment, eluding police and several driving offenses. According to Fulton County authorities, she waived her court appearance, and her next court date is set for November 2 at 9 a.m.
