Crime reports

The following listings are from our APD Zone 6 crime stat reports for the weeks of 26 and 27 of 2009, with emphasis on our beat # 603, but with news from around the Zone as it applies to us. These are not meant to scare anyone, but to alert you as to what happens around us every day so you can take steps to avoid as much criminal activity as possible.

• Auto Thefts – A vehicle was stolen from Virginia Avenue with an attempt on Cresthill Avenue which resulted in much damage. This story is very interesting and is taken from the report. The victim changed his story several times, but stated on 6/27 he parked his car at North Highland at St. Louis Place and then walked to Taco Mac. When he returned he said he lost his keys so he got a ride home to get a spare and upon returning the car was gone. Victim did not file a report til 6/30. The officer checked and found the vehicle was impounded to Buckhead Towing with front end damage from a hit and run accident with a driver matching the “victims” description. No word as to whether he was arrested.
• Commercial Burglary – The East Atlanta Hardware store lost plants from their garden center. I always wonder how many plants “disappear” from the Home Depot on PDL Avenue in the middle of the night – but they are in APD Zone 5 and I don’t get their reports.
• Larceny From Auto – Cars were broken into on Barnett Street, Greenwood Avenue, Los Angeles Avenue, North Highland Avenue (2), PDL Avenue (3), St. Charles Avenue (2), Virginia Avenue (2), Amsterdam Avenue, Bonaventure Avenue, Briarcliff Place, Cooledge Avenue, and PDL Place. Of these 17 incidents, 9 of the vehicle owners were from outside our neighborhood – and again I plead to warn our neighborhood visitors of the dangers of leaving valuables in sight in their vehicles. I’m sure many of these folks are bar/restaurant patrons who will never return to our local venues. All around Zone 6 in this time span there were 4 license plates taken off, 8 GPS systems taken out, 4 in-dash radio/stereo systems ripped out, and 8 more hand guns added to the arsenal already on the streets. There are also lots of reports of tools being taken from trucks parked at residential workplaces – warn your lawnservice and repair people about this danger.
• Larceny Other – A baby stroller was taken from a North Highland Avenue front yard. I continue to see lots of baby strollers on front porches ready for the taking. A bicycle was stolen from outside the Local Bar on PDL Avenue, as well as two chained bicycles from the Edgewood Retail District and in front of 1050 PDL Avenue. A landscaping light was taken from a PDL Avenue residence. Mitzi and Romano caught a shoplifter, but she escaped in her car. At the LA Fitness at Ansley, thieves removed the victim’s lock on his locker, took his wallet and put another lock on the locker. Green’s Liquor on PDL Avenue caught a shoplifter. Around Zone 6 a/c units continue to be stolen as scrap metal prices continue to rise..
• Pedestrian Robbery – At Fellini’s on PDL Avenue – some employees were taking a smoke break at 10:30 p.m. behind the dumpster when they were robbed at gunpoint by 3 b/m who escaped in a car. On 7/3 on Maiden Lane at 2:45 a.m., two suburban females were waiting on a friend when they were robbed of their purses with physical force (no reported gun) by an h/m.
• Residential Robbery – On 7/3 at 4:50 a.m. at a North Morningside Drive apartment, the female victim stated she awoke after hearing her name being called out – she went to the living room to find her husband on the floor with suspects standing over him. One suspect was pointing a gun to his head demanding “dough” or “dope”. Then the suspects demanded the same of her – she went to the bedroom, called 911 and got money. She threw the money at the suspects, slapped one of the suspects and they fled. The responding officers noticed a strong odor of marijuana in the apartment.
• Residential Burglary – Two different apartments in the same building suffered kicked-in doors on 6/20 and 6/25. At a Briarcliff Road apartment building, the perp who was attempting to kick in a door was surprised by an alert neighbor and fled. At a Seminole Avenue apartment, entry was made via a window and the resident’s dog was found tied up in the bathroom.All around Zone 6 in this time period, entry was made to residences via kicked-in doors 12 times!!

Be alert and be safe!!