Fox5 reports Atlanta Police may have found the vehicle involved in a hit-and-run that left cyclist and Atlanta Time Machine founder Greg Germani in a coma.  (h/t: Decaturish)

Decaturish also reports today that the reward for information leading the arrest of the driver has reached nearly $30,000.

Decatur PD just sent around this update…

The four suspects in the June 6^th robbery of a 13-year-old in the 1300 block of Oakview Road have been identified and charges are pending in DeKalb County Juvenile Court.  The suspects are a 14-year-old, two 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old from Atlanta.

The gray 2011 four door Saab 93 displaying GA tag (BEK6937) stolen during a burglary in the 300 block of Lockwood Terrace on 6-15-14 has been recovered in Atlanta and a potential suspect identified.

The red Mercedes E320 displaying GA tag (PEX 2935) stolen during a burglary in the 100 block of Bruton Street on 6-16-14 has been recovered in DeKalb County.  A 14-year-old from DeKalb County was arrested.

From Superintendent Phyllis Edwards’ June Updates email…

Master Planning for Renfroe Middle and Decatur High

Additionally, we are moving forward with the selection of an architectural firm for Renfroe Middle School and a design-build team for Decatur High School.  When Decatur children return to school this August, you will see announcements for community input sessions on the Master Planning Project for the Middle School and the High School as we address the projected enrollment and continued growth.

The community is invited to take part in the discussion on August 14 at 6:30 PM in the Decatur High School Performing Arts Center and on August 19 at 6:30 PM in the Renfroe Middle School Library.  We certainly hope you will join us in this process.

Following up on our post Friday on how smartphone “kill switches” are likely causing a decline in cell phone theft nationwide, Decatur Police Sgt. Jennifer Ross sent in these relevant data points and observations recently compiled by DPD…

We have been awaiting cell phone “kill switches” hoping it will make a difference in the demand for stolen smart phones and subsequently impact the trend of robbery suspects targeting these phones.  So far in 2014, we have had ten robberies reported with one later being unfounded.  In four of the nine cases, suspects appeared to have been targeting cell phones and in two other cases cell phones were taken along with other items, so a total of six phones were stolen in robberies. Three of those were iPhones and three were other brands.

For 2012, in 6 out of 25 (24%) robberies, cell phones were targeted.

For 2013, in 19 out of 28 (68%) robberies, cell phones were targeted.

In studying the cases, we have found several pedestrian robberies involving cell phones were a crime of sought out opportunity.  The would-be robber simply walks around looking for an unaware person using the phone or carrying the phone in their hand and waits for the right moment to grab it and run.  Up until the moment they commit the crime, they blend in and hang out and wait for an opportunity.  Sometimes the robbery goes unnoticed because people passing by think they are simply seeing teenagers hanging out or playing around.

The most important thing you can do to prevent being victimized is be aware.  Be aware of someone watching you use your phone or following you.  Also, remember that no item is worth your life.  You never know what a suspect will do if challenged or how many friends the suspect has waiting in the area.