From Decatur PD…

*Related to previous alert sent out on 2-9-14 reference Saturday afternoon burglary in Oakhurst in the 600 block of 2^nd Avenue.

Please continue to watch out for your neighbors and report any unknown vehicles or persons on their property.  If you receive an unexpected knock on the door, it may be a ploy to determine if anyone is home before a burglary is attempted.  Asking “Who is it?” through the door is a safer option than opening the door for a stranger and also alerts a potential burglar that the home is occupied.

In the past six days, the following incidents have been reported and appear to be related.  Atlanta PD Zone 6, Decatur PD and DeKalb PD are working together to locate and identify these suspects.  Please be aware and call police immediately if you see a vehicle matching the description in the area or encounter a scenario such as those detailed in the following incidents.

-       On Saturday, 2-8-14, a resident in the 200 block of 3^nd Avenue reported an attempted burglary where suspects damaged the front door but were unable to gain entry.  A neighbor later reported having seen a white Chevrolet Tahoe occupied by 3-4 black males in front of the victim’s house at approximately 2 pm.  The suspects fled when the neighbor came outside.

-       On Saturday, 2-8-14 at approximately 2:45 pm, APD responded to a residential alarm in the 2800 block of Tupelo Street.  The side door to the residence was kicked in.  Based on the size of a television stolen, it is likely a SUV or truck was used.

-       On Saturday, 2-8-14 at approximately 2:25 pm, APD responded to a suspicious vehicle in the 100 block of 2^nd Avenue.  A homeowner reported seeing a white Suburban or Tahoe displaying Georgia Tag #PDT4825 pull all the way up into the driveway, close to the house.  A male in the backseat began yelling at the driver to leave because the homeowner was looking through his blinds.  The tag belongs on another vehicle.

-       On Saturday, 2-8-14 between 2-4:45 pm, a burglary occurred in the 600 block of 2^nd Avenue (Decatur) where it appeared the suspects used a vehicle to force a locked rear gate open and kick in the rear door to the residence.  A neighbor reported seeing a beige SUV, believed to be a Ford Explorer, occupied by two black males leaving the alley behind the victim’s residence at approximately 2:30 pm.  The driver of the beige SUV was described as having a light complexion and wearing a red baseball cap.  *It is unknown if the vehicle described by the neighbor was involved but due to time frame, location and method the crime was committed, this incident appears to be related.

-       On Tuesday, 2-11-14, APD responded to a burglary in the 2000 block of Knox Street where the suspects accessed the rear door through a pet entrance.  Surveillance video in the area showed a white Chevrolet Tahoe arriving in the area, backing into the victim’s driveway, 3-4 suspects going to the rear of the house and leaving between 1:33-1:41 pm. (See attached photos of suspect vehicle and one suspect)

-       On Thursday, 2-13-14 at approximately 1 pm APD responded to an attempted burglary on 1^st Avenue between Hosea Williams Boulevard and Memorial Drive.  The victim reported that the day before, Wednesday, 02-12-14, an unknown black male knocked on his front door and asked for “Sally” when he answered.  After being told there was no “Sally” living there, the male hesitated until a second adult who lives in the house appeared and the male turned and left.  On 02-13-14 at approximately 1 pm, the same male knocked on the front door and the residents ignored it.  The male then went to the back door and attempted to kick it in.  The homeowners began yelling and the male fled to a white Chevrolet Tahoe with black door handles that was occupied by a second black male visible in the front passenger seat.  The male who came to the door both days was described as being in his 20′s, approximately 6′, slim build, light complexion, wearing brown boots and a large belt.