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EXCLUSIVE: Alleged top organizer of metro street racing events arrested at Atlanta airport

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Channel 2 Action News has learned that one of the alleged top organizers of street racing events across metro Atlanta now is behind bars.

Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne learned that cooperation between DeKalb County Police Department, Atlanta Police Department and Georgia Bureau of Investigation led to the arrest of Adolfo Robledo, known as ATLTuners on Instagram.

Winne was there with police as Robledo was taken into custody on a DeKalb County warrant just moments after stepping off a plane at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

“Did you have any involvement in organizing takeover or any illegal events,” Winne asked Robledo as police escorted him away in handcuffs.

“I had nothing to do with it. (Expletive.) You have to speak to my lawyer,” Robledo said.

“Are you ATLTuners on Instagram,” Winne asked Robledo.

“No sir,” he answered.

“Do you have anything you want to say about your side of the story,” Winne asked Robledo.

Robledo did not answer.

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Lt. Timothy Donahue, intelligence unit commander for DeKalb County police, told Winne that the plan to take Robledo into custody at the airport within minutes of exiting a flight from Miami was laid out in advance with help from APD.

Donahue said the three charges against Robledo involve a “takeover” that happened at the intersection of Panthersville and River roads in DeKalb County on May 30.

“Takeovers are kind of like flash mobs centered around reckless stunt-driving exhibitions,” Donahue said.

He showed Winne video of the takeover, pointing out that a passenger in one of the cars was holding a rifle out the car window.

Robledo is charged under the street racing law recently signed by Gov. Brian Kemp.

“Prior to the law going into effect, it was very difficult, if not impossible, for us to bring charges against the organizers,” Donahue said.

The charges against Robledo involve three separate takeovers throughout DeKalb County, all of which were found on YouTube.

In all three incidents, Donahue said Robledo “was one of the organizers, one of the people that put it together, told everybody to meet up and determined where they would be going.”

Donahue said the GBI, Georgia State Patrol, Atlanta police and DeKalb police have been strategizing together recently about concerns that street races might be especially active this coming weekend in metro Atlanta.

“We’re working with several other agencies. The investigation is ongoing. We expect additional arrests in the near future,” Donahue said.

He said the charges against Robledo are high and aggravated misdemeanors.

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