Man Pleads Guilty to Attacking and Robbing Elderly Veteran in DeKalb Pharmacy Parking Lot

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced that 62-year-old Samuel Harvey pleaded guilty on Friday, April 4, 2025, to charges of Abuse of an Elder Person, Robbery by Force, and Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers. The charges relate to an incident on July 25, 2022, where Harvey attacked and robbed a 93-year-old military veteran in a CVS Pharmacy parking lot.

According to the investigation, DeKalb County Police Department officers responded to a report of a robbery at the CVS in the 2400 block of Candler Road. They found Harvey running down the street, apprehended and arrested him nearby.

A CVS clerk reported that the victim, Arthur Johnson, a frequent customer, was seen sitting in the store before returning to his car. Mr. Johnson later told police he fell asleep in his car and awoke to Harvey choking him. A CVS employee witnessed Harvey assaulting Mr. Johnson, who claimed he was helping the elderly man into his car before throwing him to the ground and fleeing with his phone, wallet, and keys.

Mr. Johnson initially refused medical treatment but was hospitalized two weeks after the attack and passed away four months later.

Following his guilty plea, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Stacey Hydrick sentenced Samuel Harvey to 20 years, with 15 years to be served in confinement and the remaining 5 on probation. Due to his prior criminal history, Harvey is not eligible for parole.

The case was prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Crimes Against Elder Persons and Adults with Disabilities Unit.