Alleged ‘grasp of disguise’ faces federal fees for armed robberies: Officers

A person who federal prosecutors in Atlanta nicknamed “grasp of disguise” is dealing with federal fees Thursday for allegedly robbing 10 companies at gunpoint whereas dressed in several costumes.

Tracy Mingo is accused of utilizing disguises to evade identification so he may goal workers at Circle Okay, Subway and Household Greenback shops all through the Atlanta space between October 2025 and January 2026, the FBI mentioned.

Mingo allegedly entered every of the shops late at evening — in any case or practically all prospects had left — and robbed workers at gunpoint, officers mentioned.

“These have been all very critical crimes,” U.S. Legal professional Theodore Hertzberg, whose workplace is prosecuting the case, instructed ABC Information on Thursday. “To rob these individuals at gunpoint and to get away with hundreds of {dollars} every time, it is actually a blessing that no person was damage or killed.”

He allegedly donned disguises, together with a development employee, a well being care skilled and a safety guard, in line with the indictment. He allegedly dressed “head to toe” within the disguise “in order that one could not see precisely who he’s,” Hertzberg mentioned.

Police and the FBI arrested Mingo in January after they mentioned it appeared he was placing on the identical safety guard disguise used in the course of the theft of a Circle Okay retailer the evening earlier than. 

The robberies occurred in various completely different municipalities in 4 completely different counties, in line with Hertzberg, who mentioned the FBI labored with the native companies “so as to piece this collectively and work out that it was the identical perpetrator who was concerned in these 10 completely different incidents.”

Mingo, 33, of School Park, Georgia, is now charged with 20 counts, together with Hobbs Act theft, tried Hobbs Act theft, brandishing a firearm throughout a criminal offense of violence and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

“For months, Mingo allegedly used disguises in an try and evade identification and proceed concentrating on harmless staff at gunpoint,” FBI Atlanta Particular Agent in Cost Marlo Graham mentioned in a press release. “He underestimated the dedication of the investigators pursuing him and the power of the partnerships that exist between the FBI and our state and native legislation enforcement companions.”