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Written by: A. Smith
Published January 2, 2026 @ 11:21 AM ET
COBB COUNTY, Ga. – A 17-year-old accused of stealing thousands of dollars through mobile payment apps while panhandling at a busy Cobb County intersection is being held without bond, police said.
Antrez Jenkins is accused of approaching drivers at the intersection of Johnson Ferry and Lower Roswell roads on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and convincing them to unlock their phones before transferring large sums of money without their consent, according to the Cobb County Police Department.
Cobb police Sgt. Eric Smith said Jenkins, who police described as homeless, asked motorists stopped at the intersection for donations, claiming the money was for a basketball team. Investigators said once drivers opened their banking or payment apps, Jenkins grabbed their phones and sent money to another account.
According to an arrest warrant, the first incident occurred on Christmas Eve when Jenkins approached a woman while she was stopped in traffic and he was panhandling in the median. Jenkins asked her to donate via Zelle. When she attempted to give him $5 in cash, he refused and told her he could only accept electronic payments through Zelle or Cash App.
After she logged into her banking app, Jenkins allegedly pulled the phone from her hands and transferred $2,000 to another account without her permission, police said.
A second incident occurred the following day, Christmas Day, at the same intersection. Police said Jenkins approached another woman and again asked for a donation to his basketball team, this time requesting payment through Venmo. The victim offered to donate $10. After she logged into her bank account, Jenkins allegedly took her phone and sent $2,000 to another account, according to the warrant.
Police said both cases remain active as investigators work to determine whether there may be additional victims who encountered Jenkins at the intersection.
Jenkins has been charged with two counts of felony robbery by sudden snatching and two counts of theft by deception. Despite being 17, he is being held at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center without bond.
“We remind the public not to hand over their phones or make electronic payments to unknown individuals, especially in roadway medians or intersections,” Smith said.
Police urged anyone who believes they may have been targeted in a similar way to contact the Cobb County Police Department.