Decaturish passed along this press release from Emory…

Tucker, Ga. – The DeKalb County Police Department and Emory University Police are conducting a joint investigation into sexual assault incidents in the vicinity of the Emory campus.  The Departments have determined three open attempted sexual assault cases that occurred off campus in DeKalb County are possibly connected to a rape that occurred on Emory University’s campus on Feb. 11^th.   The DeKalb County Police incidents occurred between December 2013 and January 2014.

According to DeKalb County detectives, the victims were young females, walking alone in the Emory vicinity off campus when the suspect approached and attempted to overpower them.  The victims were able to fight off the suspect and alert police.  The victims were not physically injured.  The suspect is described as a white man, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, medium build and approximately 50 years old.  This description is consistent with the composite sketch the rape victim was able to provide Emory Police.

DeKalb County and Emory authorities are aggressively investigating these cases and are encouraging anyone with information about the suspect or anyone who may have been a victim to please contact the DeKalb County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit at  or Emory Police at .

Additionally, the community is encouraged to remain vigilant about their safety and exercise safety practices. Some safety practices include:

• People are encouraged to walk in groups, especially at night
• Avoid isolated and dimly lit areas
• Remain alert and aware of surroundings
• Avoid distractions such as texting, talking on phone
• Remove ear plugs/headphones; use only one side if needed
• Call 911 or alert campus police to report suspicious activity

Oh dear.  Heather points to this AJC report of another fatality on North Decatur Road this morning….

DeKalb County police are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident that occurred during Thursday’s morning commute.

The accident happened about 8:30 a.m. on North Decatur Road at Landover Drive.

DeKalb police spokeswoman Mekka Parish told Channel 2 Action News that the man was attempting to cross North Decatur with a female when he was hit.

Fox5 also has the story.  Landover Drive at North Decatur Road intersection is right outside the Decatur city limits.  (Map HERE)

In response to budget cutbacks in DeKalb earlier this year that resulted in furlough days, no pay on holidays and no merit increases for DeKalb Police receiving no pay on holidays and no merit increases, the DeKalb Officers blog let it be known that the force would be writing fewer tickets this year in protest.

According to this morning’s AJC, officers followed through on the threat.  From May to November, DeKalb Police wrote 33% fewer tickets, costing the County “more than $5 million in revenue”.

DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis’ budget for next year eliminates furlough days for police, but is asking for a second straight year for a property tax increase to cover costs.  The County Commission didn’t like that idea last year.  We’ll have to see how things play out this year.

Earlier today NFDecatur reported on Twitter…

And a bunch of cops (even some detectives) just all lit off at once heading north-ish. I expect a full report from @dmetro later today.

Well, I’m not sure this can be considered a “full report” on my part, but here’s what caused the rush north, according to Decatur Deputy Police Chief Keith Lee…

A person was robbed in the BB&T parking lot on Clairmont. One of our officers was at the YMCA and heard the call for DeKalb PD. He chased the suspect but lost sight of him. We assisted DeKalb PD with the search, but the suspect was not located.

The BB&T bank is located just outside the Decatur city limits.

UPDATE: The AJC is reporting that DeKalb Police already have one suspect in custody and they are looking for a second suspect.

Just received a report that an armored truck was robbed outside of the receiving dock at DeKalb Medical.  According to the report, the incident was restricted to outside the building and no one was injured or taken hostage.

DeKalb County Police are investigating.