Justin wrote in around 3am this morning to report that Java Monkey had just been robbed and that he had spoken with an employee at Decatur Diner who “said she saw the guy running away and the diner is without power.”  He continued, “a Java Monkey employee and a friend came by and the friend said they just happened to be in the area, heard the alarm and chased the guy to the mini Kroger where they lost him. I overlook Kroger from my condo and there are several cop cars around.”

I followed up with Decatur PD this morning and Deputy Chief Keith Lee just provided this detailed report of this incident, which confirms nearly everything in Justin’s report, though luckily it sounds like the burglar was unsuccessful in gaining entry to the coffee shop …

On 12-27-11 at 0232 hours, Sergeant Canipe was dispatched to a suspicious male leaving Java Monkey coffee shop located at 425 Church Street. This establishment has been burglarized a few times during the last month so officers responded quickly. Canipe arrived at 0234 hours and checked the exterior of Java Monkey. The power to the building, which includes Decatur Diner, had been turned off. Within the patio area, Canipe observed a large rock approximately 8″ x 12″ on the floor next to a glass panel. The glass had been cracked; however, it did not fully break, therefore, the perpetrator did not gain entry. Also next to the rock was a brown aluminum pole approximately 5 feet long.

Canipe met with the complainant, Brannon Greene, who is an employee of Java Monkey, who told the officer he had closed up earlier in the evening but returned to the coffee shop because he thought he forgot his cellular phone. Greene said he was walking toward the front door when he saw flood lights illuminated within the business and heard a strange beeping sound. Greene became suspicious and approached with caution. Prior to reaching the front door, Greene said he observed a black male with a light complexion exit the patio area (which is enclosed with plastic tarp) and run north on Church Street then east on East Ponce de Leon Avenue. Greene said the black male was approximately 6’0″ and weighed approximately 180 pounds, wearing dark pants and a dark, possibly green down (puffy) jacket that came down to about mid thigh. Greene said he gave chase, along with his roommate, Michael Koechlin, as Greene dialed 911. Greene said the suspect ran across East Ponce de Leon Avenue then north around the Wells Fargo building. Greene lost sight of the suspect as he continued east, possibly across Commerce Drive toward the Decatur Cemetery. Greene returned to Java Monkey to meet with officers.

Canipe collected the pole left behind by the suspect and placed it into evidence at Decatur Police Department. The glass panel was photographed. Greene was given a business card and case number.