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Police: Man helps woman hit by car then steals from her

After a woman was hit by a car, a man posing as a helpful bystander stole her belongings, police said.

CONYERS, Ga. – A woman who was hit by a car in a Walmart parking lot was then robbed by a man who seemed to be helping her, police said.

In a police report filed by Conyers police, officers were dispatched to the Walmart on Dogwood Drive for a person hit by a vehicle. That's where they found 49-year-old Julia Harris, who had been pushing a cart-full of groceries moments before.

11Alive's Faith Abubey spoke to her exclusively Monday night, who said one minute, she was pushing the cart, the next, she was on the ground waiting for an ambulance.

"I hit my head and I was laying like this on the ground," she recalled.

But in the middle of all the chaos, police say a lot of people gathered around to help Harris, including Corey Newkirk and his girlfriend. But instead of helping out of the goodness of his heart, police said Newkirk took advantage of the situation.

Harris and police said Newkirk stole her property and escaped from in a gray Chevrolet sedan after she was hit.

"This person didn't even know whether I was dead or alive and you're robbing me," Harris said.

The man who hit the woman did stay on scene and spoke to police. Officers quickly located Newkirk before the car he was driving turned onto Highway 138, the report stated.

When police pulled over Newkirk and Toria Fuller, the officer asked where they were coming from. When Newkirk said Walmart, the officer asked about the accident that just occurred.

Newkirk told the officer he did not see the accident happen but saw the woman being cared for after the fact. He told police he did help the woman “collect her belongings” but said he didn’t have any in his possession, according to the report.

After the officer said a witness told them Newkirk took some items from the victim’s purse, he admitted to having her identification in his pocket. According to the report, when Newkirk emptied his pockets onto the seat, they found the victim’s license, credit cards, and cash.

Harris said she couldn't believe that someone would take advantage of someone in that type of situation.

"I still can't process it but then again, that's the world we live in," Harris told 11Alive.

Now, police are looking for other people who Newkirk may have victimized; they discovered “multiple bank checks believed to be fraudulent” in the trunk of the car “in close proximity to clothes and other items” belonging to Fuller who also owned the car itself.

Newkirk was arrested and transported for further questioning while Fuller was arrested and taken to Rockdale County Jail. He's now been charged with identity fraud and forgery, while Fuller has been charged with obstruction.

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