Be careful out there everyone. We’ve received details from both Emory and Decatur Police. First from Emory…
Emory has received reports from the DeKalb County and Decatur Police Departments of pedestrian robberies that occurred in area neighborhoods in the late evening hours on 11-23-15 and 11-24-15.
In both incidents, a female Emory student was walking alone when approached by an occupant from a nearby stopped vehicle. A male exited the vehicle, pointed a shotgun or rifle at the victim, demanded personal items (cell phone, purse), and then fled the area. Neither victim was injured. What follows are details about the reported robberies:
1) On 11-23-15 at approximately 9:00 pm, a pedestrian robbery was reported to have occurred inside the complex, located on Clairmont Rd. The vehicle involved was described as an older sedan (possibly burgundy) and the person with the shotgun was described as a male, approximately 5’8, slim build, wearing a dark colored jacket, and identified by the victim as black. Two or more other occupants were in the vehicle.
2) On 11-24-25 at approximately 10:15 pm, a similar incident was reported to have occurred at the intersection of N. Decatur Road and Willivee Drive. The vehicle involved was described as a silver sedan and the person with the shotgun or rifle was described as a male between 5’8 and 5’11, medium build, short haircut, and identified by the victim as black.
Because these two similar armed robberies took place within a short time period near the Emory campus, we want to make you aware of them so you can consider appropriate safety precautions. Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact the DeKalb County Police Department at 770-724-7850 or the City of Decatur Police Department at 404-373-6551.
Risk Reduction Tips:
- Stay alert, trust your instincts, and be aware of your surroundings.
- If something or someone makes you uneasy, move toward a place where there are other people.
- Walk in a group, or at least with one other person, whenever possible.
- Use well-lit and well-traveled areas.
- Use the safety escort services.
- Do not leave valuables (cell phones, laptops, etc.) unattended or exposed to public view.
- Program emergency numbers in your cell phone.
- Report suspicious behavior to the police immediately.
Call the appropriate number below if you ever feel that your safety or that of others is compromised,to report information about a crime under investigation, or to access resources available for survivors of sexual assault.
Secondly from Decatur Police…
On Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at approximately 10:13 pm, Decatur Police responded to North Decatur Road at Willivee Drive in reference to an armed robbery that occurred minutes earlier. The victim, an Emory University student, reported she was walking eastbound on the sidewalk on North Decatur Road, approaching Willivee Drive. She noticed a vehicle stopped at the stop sign on Willivee Drive at North Decatur Road. She thought it was strange because the vehicle was not turning even though there was no traffic on North Decatur Road. As she crossed Willivee Drive and reached the other side of the intersection, a male approached her from behind demanding her property. The male was pointing a firearm, believed to be a shotgun, at her while demanding her property. She threw her purse and jacket down and ran home. The suspect was described as a black male, average height and weight, with a medium complexion and a short afro. A witness reported seeing the robbery take place from a distance and stated the suspect got into the passenger side of the vehicle, possibly a 2-door Honda Civic, and fled eastbound on North Decatur Road.
Investigators have learned of a similar incident that occurred on Monday, November 23, 2015 at approximately 9:22 pm in the 1500 block of Clairmont Road in DeKalb County. In that case an Emory student was walking home and passed a vehicle stopped in their complex parking lot when the suspect exited the vehicle, pointed a shotgun and demanded the victim’s cell phone. The suspect was described as a black male. Investigators are coordinating with the DeKalb County Police Department and Emory Police Department on these cases.