Ongoing Police Investigation
We sent out a news
release on Wednesday, July 3 around 6 p.m. updating the media on the
ongoing police investigation of the recent burglaries and robberies. I
am sending the same release to all of our e-news lists to keep you
updated as well.
In addition to the
release we sent Wednesday, we had a report of an armed robbery on
Sycamore Drive near Grove Street at 3:30 a.m. July 5. The Community
Alert is posted on the website with
the details. Based on a number of key differences, the police believe
that this incident is not related to the other incidents that occured
earlier this week.
Please know that
the police are working diligently to resolve these incidents and please
keep your eyes and ears open if you see any suspicious activity. In
addition, Police Chief Mike Booker and his staff are available if you
would like for them to come talk to your neighborhood association or
community group. Call 404-373-6551 to report suspicious activity or to
schedule a meeting with your group.
Ongoing Police Investigation
The City of Decatur
Police Department is in the process of investigating a series of 13 day
time burglaries that occurred from May 30 - June 26 that appear to be
related. The majority of the burglaries occurred in and around S.
Candler Street including parts of the Oakhurst and Winnona Park
neighborhoods. The burglaries seem to be related to a significantly
higher number of similar incidents in DeKalb County and the City of
Atlanta. All three jurisdictions are working on a coordinated approach
and together have made one arrest, detained five juvenile perpetrators,
recovered a stolen vehicle, and recovered stolen property.
The Decatur Police
Department is also in the process of investigating an attempted robbery
and two robberies that occurred in Oakhurst on July 1 & 2 and a car
theft that occurred on Swanton Way in downtown Decatur on July 3 that
resulted in the vehicle crashing at Kirk Rd. and South Candler Street. A
15-year-old suspect is currently in custody.
According to
information obtained from the witnesses and the victims, both the
burglaries and the robberies are being committed by juveniles. Decatur
Police Chief Mike Booker said that there is no indication that the
juveniles are Decatur residents. He added that these appear to be crimes
of opportunity with no regular pattern but that they do share common
characteristics in terms of items stolen and the number and age of the
suspects involved.
Chief Booker stated
that "We are meeting and comparing information on a daily basis with
both DeKalb County and City of Atlanta officers working the cases." He
added "that in addition to the regular patrol shifts of five officers,
the City has called in additional off-duty police officers and
re-directed the four special unit officers to assignments related to
addressing the current situation." Officers are using marked and
unmarked cars and implementing periodic roadblocks throughout the city.
Additional uniformed city staff, including firefighters, are assisting
in the patrol of city parks, neighborhoods, and the business
districts. In addition to responding to all burglaries and processing
all latent prints, the police are using the GBI sketch artist and
anticipate the release of at least one sketch very soon.
Decatur Mayor Jim
Baskett said, "We want to assure the community that resolving these
incidents are a top priority for the City Commission, the Police
Department and all City staff. We are confident that they are utilizing
every available resource to catch the perpetrators."
Mayor Baskett
continued, "The police regularly issue community advisories and update
them as more information is available for release. We encourage the
community to read those advisories and follow the suggested safety
precautions." Advisories are also posted on the City of Decatur website
at www.decaturga.com.
Chief Booker and
other police staff members will attend the Oakhurst Neighborhood
Association Meeting on Monday, July 8 at 7 p.m. at The Solarium, 321W.
Hill Street and the Winnona Park Neighbors Meeting on Tuesday, July 9 at
7 p.m. at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore Street. They are
also available to attend other neighborhood association meetings. Call
404-373-6551 if you would like to request they attend your meeting.
The Decatur Police
encourage the community to call if they see any suspicious activity. The
non-emergency number is 404-373-6551. If you believe you are witnessing
a crime, or have an emergency, dial 911.
Linda Harris
Chief, Civic Engagement, Education & Communication
678-553-6512
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