UPDATED: Decatur Reminds Businesses of Police Escort Option After Owner Robbed Late at Night
Decatur Metro | July 15, 2015 | 3:19 pm
UPDATE: Deputy Chief Lee confirmed there were actually multiple car break-ins in the parking lots of restaurants along that stretch of West Ponce last Friday night.
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After closing up last Friday night, a West Ponce business owner reported to Decatur Police that she was robbed while walking to her car around 11p.
The Decatur Police incident report states that after exiting the business toward the rear parking lot, the business owner “observed the dome light of her co-worker’s vehicle on and the driver’s side door of the vehicle standing open.” The victim “continued walking into the parking lot when she observed the suspect standing in the shadows very close to her vehicle.”
The report then states that the suspect became aware of the victim and ran toward her, pushing her to the ground and demanding her purse. The suspect took the purse and then jumped the fence located at the rear of the business’ parking lot.
A co-worker also reported multiple items missing from his car.
The suspect was described as a “black male, with a dark complexion, wearing a black shirt, black pants, approximately 6’0″ in height, and wearing a black mask which partially covered his face only exposing his eyes.”
After the incident, the city sent out an alert to local businesses owners…
To our Restaurant & Retail community:
Last night a downtown Decatur business owner was robbed while walking to her car after closing. As our police department works diligently to solve this crime, we wanted to remind you to be vigilant at all times and aware of your surroundings. It is a good idea to always have another person with you at closing or when handling deposits.
If you would feel safer with a police officer present as you and your staff close up and head to parked cars (especially after dark) you may call the Police Non-Emergency number at 404-373-6551. This service is always available to Decatur businesses, 365 days a year.
Keep an eye out folks and stay safe.
That night, there were also smash-and-grab break-ins to a number of vehicles parked in the Chai Pani/Farm Burger and Marlay House parking lots. I left the latter around 9:30pm and there were multiple police cars.
Thanks. Deputy Chief Lee confirmed there was a rash of break-ins along that stretch of West Ponce that night.
I think the offer to accompany staff to their cars late at night is impressive. Kudos to DPD. I don’t think even Andy and Barney on the MPD could make that offer.
I wonder what else DPD is doing to combat the crime. I mean, offering escorts is awesome and commendable, but it points to a large problem in Decatur. We’ve been hearing “We’re on it!” for 2-3 years now. Guess what? Its not slowing down.
What are you DOING about the underlying problem DPD, besides offering the escorts?
Crime has actually declined in recent years. Here’s 1996-2013 – http://www.decaturmetro.com/2014/02/20/decatur-annual-crime-trends-graph-by-year-1996-2013/
And here’s 2014 vs. 2013 – http://www.decaturmetro.com/2015/01/22/crime-in-decatur-declined-in-2014/
Did Dept Chief Lee submit this to Nation of Neighbors? I didn’t get a notification