Crime reports

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The following crime incidents for weeks 19 and 20 of 2010, are gleaned from our APD Zone 6 crime stats – with emphasis on our Beat 603, but with news from all around the Zone as it applies to us. Again, I repeat, these reports are not meant to scare anyone – but to raise your level of awareness as to what happens around us everyday and to hopefully let you avoid some situations.

Auto Theft – A scooter was taken from Rosedale Drive, and a Drewry Street resident lost his car on Wildwood Road when he left the keys under the front seat. South of us at a gas station on Moreland Avenue, a customer left his car running while he went into the convenience store and guess what happened? All around the Zone in this time period there were 26 stolen car reports.

Auto Theft Recovery – An abandoned vehicle 911 call resulted in a stolen being recovered on Virginia Avenue.

Aggravated Assault – At the Room Service club parking lot on Piedmont Circle in Piedmont Heights a shooting incident left the victim with 3 shots to his head – he was taken to Grady and no word as to his condition. Again I state this was the club that told us at NPU when they were applying for a liquor license that they were going to be a “family oriented” restaurant.

Residential Burglary – A St. Charles Avenue apartment was entered via a broken window. A PDL Place residence was broken in – but no report as to the entry method. A Drewry Street residence was entered via an unlocked side door. And in Candler Park a residence was entered via their doggy door – remember these crack-heads are skinny guys and they can squeeze through small places. All around Zone 6 in this time period 10 houses and one tool shed was entered via kicked-in doors.

Commercial Burglary The Moe’s Restaurant on PDL Avenue was entered via broken glass in the side door.

Commercial Robbery – The Pawn Mart on Cheshire Bridge Road was robbed of cash and jewelry.

Larceny From Vehicle – Vehicles were broken into on Frederica Street, Virginia Avenue (2), North Highland Avenue, Los Angeles Avenue, a workman’s truck was broken into on Virginia Circle and PDL Avenue (2). One of the PDL Avenue incidents was in a parking lot involving a guy who stated he was drunk and sleeping it off in his car when someone entered and stole his cell phone from his pocket. At least, I guess, he was not driving while drunk. Of these 8 reported incidents – 6 of the owners were from outside of VaHi. All around Zone 6 in this time period – along with all the usual stolen I-pods, laptops, etc there were 5 GPS systems taken, 4 license plates taken off (keep checking to make sure you have a plate), 6 radios/stereos ripped out, and two more hand guns added to the arsenal already out there on the streets. Also another beer truck lost a case of brews on PDL Avenue while making a delivery. Wouldn’t you think rule number 1 would be to always keep a beer truck locked?

Larceny Other – A bicycle was taken from a St. Charles Avenue front porch. On PDL Place plants and decorative objects were taken from the back porch. Our PDL Avenue Kroger and Publix stores caught 2 shoplifters – the Edgewood Target store caught two shoplifters and an employee who was stealing gift cards. A guy was seen pushing a cart full of metal storm drains and other scrap metal – but he got away. Speaking of scrap metal – A/C units continue to be stolen around the Zone. And I could not pass up letting you know this story – at the infamous Intown Suites Motel on Piedmont Circle – a female victim reported that the male suspect called her an “ugly whore” and that he left with $600 of her cash. There has to be more to this story than what was written up by the responding officer – use your imagination here.

Pedestrian Robbery – A 37 y/o male victim from Chicago stated that 2 males offered him a ride to his hotel from a nightclub. The suspects stopped their car in a Briarcliff Road parking lot and robbed their passenger at gunpoint. The victim took a taxi back to his hotel and reported the incident to Zone 5.

When I was at the Edgewood Retail District yesterday I saw a Zone 6 officer on a bicycle patrolling this parking lot. This is good news for shoppers at this popular center. I also see that work has finally begun to construct the long-awaited sidewalk in front of the new CVS store on PDL Avenue – watch for the orange construction barrels in the roadway.

While you are out walking – please make a special effort to pick up litter and trash before we welcome the world to VaHi for Summerfest. Let our visitors see the neat and clean neighborhood we are proud to call home.

We are still in need of a lead person to take charge of our National Night Event – a neat family event – on the 2nd Tuesday in August. We now have 2 years of experience and track record making planning this year much easier than previous years. I’d hate to call this event off for lack of a lead person in charge. Let me know if you have questions and would like to step up for the neighborhood.

Enjoy Summerfest and all that spring has to offer in the great city by being aware of your surroundings.

John