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(Doesn’t look like the video is working in the post…click the AJC link to view.)

Here’s the surveillance video from the Kaleidescope robbery, thanks to the AJC.

It’s actually pretty chilling. Seven guys walk into the store, mill around for a moment, and then grab armfuls of stuff and run, hitting the store clerk in the process. Again, I’ll say that I’m so glad no one was seriously hurt and hopefully this video will help catch these thugs.

And if you haven’t already, read Wiggly’s comment from the previous post on the robbery. It’s a great first hand account of the 100 mph high-speed chase down DeKalb Ave. Still looking for info on how the Decatur PD spotted the car.

Seems like all of our leads and details were right on the money. Nice job Carl and everyone else that contributed pieces to this story.

Here’s the full story from the AJC…

The rash of “blue jean bandit” thefts in Atlanta has apparently spread to Decatur, where a clothing store was struck by thieves within an hour of a similar robbery in Buckhead.

Kaleidoscope, a clothing store on West Ponce de Leon in downtown Decatur, was robbed Wednesday afternoon, Decatur police Capt. David Hipple said. A group of young males pepper-sprayed employees before fleeing with high-end blue jeans and other apparel.

The same thing happened about an hour earlier, shortly before 4 p.m., at Brazil Fine Italian Menswear on Peachtree Road near Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta police spokesman Eric Schwartz said.

Two men came into the store and stayed about 10 minutes before leaving, only to return with about five or six other men. A female employee was pepper-sprayed and punched in the face by the suspects.

Police suspect the incidents are related. The suspects in the Decatur robbery fled the scene in a stolen gold minivan police say they think was used in the earlier Atlanta theft.

Atlanta and Decatur police plan to hold a joint news conference later this afternoon in Atlanta to discuss the incidents, Hipple said.

Police for months have been looking for a band of thieves who have been preying on high-end boutiques. Until now, the blue jean bandits have struck late at night, breaking glass windows and doors to gain entry.

Hipple said video footage taken from surveillance cameras at the Decatur boutique shows the suspects’ faces. Decatur police chased the minivan after the incident but lost the vehicle in Atlanta, he said.  [A comment in the previous post said the chase took place on DeKalb Ave and was halted after the van hit three cars]

The daylight robberies are brazen, Hipple said.

“It happens quick, and I guess that’s their advantage,” he said.

So no one has EVER been arrested in connection with these “blue jean” robberies? It seems like a crime ring.

Also, if these are the “blue jean bandits” known for their quick in-and-out, its pretty impressive that the Decatur PD was able to catch up with them. I’ve yet to hear about another jean robbery where police pursued suspects. I would like to know more detail about how they were alerted.

h/t: InDecatur

There’s a new fitness coaching facility in town!

CrossFit East Decatur recently opened its doors in the back of the Push Push Theater Building at East Decatur Station (121 New Street B).

If you’re looking for a supportive atmosphere to lose weight and get in shape, this seems to be a good place to do it! Check out their website/blog for lots of photos and details.

And best of all, every Decatur Metro reader gets a free trial session! Just kidding, EVERYONE gets a free trial session

Thanks to owner Shana Alverson for giving the Decatur blogs a heads up about the opening.

Personally, I don’t think that Trader Joe’s would ever consider an Oakhurst location primarily due to access issues and low-population density.  But just the mention of a grocery store on the Oakhurst Message Board has gotten many local residents up in arms about the long-vacant Big H Center on the edge of downtown Oakhurst.

Accusations of turning down perfectly good companies and unreasonable rents have led the property’s owner and Oakhurst resident, Bruce Cohen, to respond on the board.

Here are his remarks…

I manage the property in Oakhurst where people have expressed interest in having a Trader Joe’s. Please be assured that the rumors of my turning down Trader Joe’s or any other grocery store at that location are completely untrue. I have approached every grocery store chain in the country about coming to Oakhurst, and the problem is that this location does not meet the requirements. National chains will generally only build stores with a certain traffic count and population density, and they almost always want to be at an intersection with a traffic light. I have also contacted every independent market in metro Atlanta; however, very few have expanded in the past several years due to competition from the chains. I was hopeful about having a Market One (the former Harry’s in a Hurry at Ponce and Highland) come to Oakhurst, but unfortunately that business folded.

I would love to have a grocery store in this property and welcome any suggestions or contacts anyone can offer. If anyone has any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at visionprop@…, and please put something in the subject line about 630 East Lake so I know your e-mail is not spam.

Again, I welcome and appreciate your suggestions, help or contacts.

Bruce Cohen–Vision Properties

Believe me, I’m just as anxious for a walkable grocery as the rest of you.  But over the months I’ve discovered there are real roadblocks for walkable cities that exist in the form of the grocery store expectations (be it huge parking lots or accessibility).  From my observations, Publix seems the most forward-thinking in the area, with locations at Atlantic Station and “coming soon” to Avondale (though I believe both still have tons of parking, just not in the traditional layout).  But Decatur folk already have a Publix in relative proximity at N. Decatur and Clairemont, so we must look for other alternatives.

Are Oakhurst residents excited about the Avondale Publix?  Though not necessarily walkable, I would think this would become, by far, the most accessible grocery store to the neighborhood.