In Case You Missed It: Updates on East Atlanta Crime Spree

Police are asking for East Atlanta residents to continue being vigilant in the wake of several recent crimes in the area, including a carjacking near the Village this past Friday.

The East Atlanta Security Patrol has released the following statement from Major Peek, the Atlanta Police Department Zone 6 commander, regarding the recent incidents:

“As you all are aware, for more than a month, we have experienced a well-defined rash of robberies in neighborhoods such as Grant Park, Benteen Heights, Ormewood Park, Woodland Hills, East Atlanta and other areas in the southern most portion of the Zone 6 area. To address this trend, we’ve increased uniformed patrols as well as plain clothes officers from Zone 6 and other divisions within APD. As a result, we were able to apprehend 5 suspects involved in armed robberies. We arrested 2 robbery suspects on 9/3/2015. These two were caught in the act of committing the robbery. On this past Friday night 9/25/2015, we arrested 3 suspects for 4 armed robberies, hijacking a motor vehicle and a host of other charges. When critical prosecution dates approach, we ask that you respond by attending the necessary hearings to keep these individuals in jail. We must work as a team to keep Atlanta safe.

“We will continue to monitor and investigate these incidents as they have only been charged with 4 incidents but are believed to be responsible for many more. Although these apprehensions were made, please continue to move around with a heightened sense of awareness. It is not time to simply relax and forget about these crimes. Please continue to be watchful and call 911 immediately if you notice any suspicious behavior.

“As for car break-ins, we will continue our fight to identify these criminals as well. To help, please consider updating your vehicle security features. You can research the following items:
• Installing a shock or glass break sensor. Many car alarms sound after a door is opened. If glass breaks, nothing happens. By having a shock or glass break sensor, an alarm will sound immediately upon a strike to the glass, whether the glass breaks or not.
• Research theft recovery systems such as OnStar. If your vehicle is taken, this will allow for immediately GPS tracking of your vehicle’s location. If immediately activated, police will be able to respond quickly and the opportunity to catch someone inside your vehicle could be greater.
• As for other electronic devices, please research apps that will allow you to track your items if taken. You can simply register the product and if taken, police can track your items immediately. Again, the sooner the tracking begins, the greater chances we have with apprehending someone with the property.

“The Atlanta Police Department is not endorsing any company names mentioned but we believe that similar technology greatly aids us in criminal investigations. Again, please be our eyes and ears on the streets but under no circumstances do we want you to place yourselves in any danger. If you see suspicious activity or witness a crime taking place, please call police immediately.”