Crime

Atlanta Man Robbed at Gunpoint After Dating App Meetup; Suspect Arrested in Buckhead

ByCaleb Ward October 10, 2025October 10, 2025

ATLANTA, Ga. — A man who arranged a dating app meetup near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was robbed at gunpoint and forced to transfer thousands of dollars before police tracked down and arrested the suspect at Lenox Square Mall, authorities said.

Hotel Robbery Caught on Police Bodycam

According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers responded to the Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Hotel on September 29 after a guest reported being robbed by a man he met through a dating app.
Bodycam footage released by police shows the victim telling officers he had ordered an Uber for the suspect to come to the hotel. Once inside the room, the suspect pulled out a gun, disabled the room phone, and demanded money.

Investigators said the victim was forced to send money through Cash App and Apple Pay until his cards declined. The suspect then stole his debit card and withdrew more cash from the hotel’s ATM before fleeing the scene.

Suspect Found Shopping in Buckhead

Detectives used rideshare tracking data to follow the suspect’s movements after the robbery. Within days, police spotted him shopping at Lenox Square Mall in Buckhead, still wearing the same clothes from the night of the incident.

In footage released by APD, officers can be seen approaching the suspect quietly before pinning him against a glass counter and taking him into custody. The man was identified as Randarrius Jackson, who told police he was from Decatur.

Charges Filed

Jackson faces multiple charges, including:

Armed robbery
Aggravated assault
Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime
Financial card transaction fraud

He remains in custody at the Fulton County Jail without bond.

Experts Warn of Rising Dating App Crimes

Dr. Treena Orchard, a professor at Western University’s School of Health Studies, told 11Alive News that dating app-related crimes are increasing nationwide, urging users to prioritize safety.
“Trust your instincts and report any concern immediately,” Orchard said. “If something feels off, leave the situation or contact authorities.”

The Saluda Standard-Sentinel encourages readers to share their experiences with online dating safety and awareness at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.

Caleb Ward

Caleb Ward is a South Carolina-based journalist focused on crime, emergency response, and public safety reporting across the Carolinas and Georgia. With a sharp eye for detail and a commitment to the facts, he brings clarity to fast-moving local developments.