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.

UPDATE:  Here’s the AJC’s blurb on the incident.  No real new info.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the sensitive nature of this ongoing case and the fact that it involves a juvenile, the comments section is closed.

Decatur Deputy Chief Keith Lee sends along this press release…

The Decatur Police Department is investigating the sexual assault of a juvenile reported on October 31, 2011. The victim was transported to an area hospital by her parents, where she was treated and released. Investigators of the Decatur Police Department are pursuing several leads in the incident. Due to the age of the victim and the nature of the assault, the name of the victim is not being released.

As detailed in an earlier post, the alleged assault occurred around Winnona Park Elementary’s playground last night around 9pm and Decatur Police have had the area closed off since around 10:30pm, looking for evidence.

I spoke with Deputy Chief Lee just moments ago and he reiterated that this “terrible situation” was “an isolated incident”, and that the Police Department has some very strong leads in the case and hope to have it resolved quickly.

Additionally, I just received a report that WAGA just arrived on the scene, so expect this story to jump outside the city’s borders in the next few hours.

Decatur Deputy Police Chief Keith Lee sends in this report on the accident Friday involving an SUV and a bicycle near Decatur High School…

On Friday September 9, 2011 the Decatur Police Department responded to a reported traffic accident on North McDonough Street. Upon arrival, officers found that a 15 year old Decatur High School student had collided with a motor vehicle, while crossing North McDonough Street on his bicycle. Based on witnesses’ statements, it was determined the bicyclist caused the accident by failing to yield. The bicyclist was treated for minor injuries on scene by members of the Decatur Fire & Rescue Department. He was later taken for further medical examination by his father.

On another note, the reports of a serious motor vehicle collision on West Ponce de Leon Avenue involving a bicyclist are mistaken. Police and Fire personnel responded to a bicyclist having a medical emergency at that location. The bicyclist was not involved in a traffic collision.

Decatur Deputy Chief Keith Lee sends along the info and an application for Decatur residents – 21 and older – to enroll in the Police and Fire Department’s “Citizens Public Safety Academy”.  This year, the class will meet Thursdays from September 22nd – November 10th.  The class meets in the evening from 7:30p to 9:30p.  The application deadline is Friday, September 9th.

Here’s bit of the program summary from the application.

The Citizens Public Safety Academy (CPSA) is an exciting way to learn about police work and how the community can respond to emergencies. Through a well-prepared curriculum, taught once a week for 8 weeks, students will learn about all aspects of police operations. Academy participants will meet many of the men and women who serve in the Decatur Police and Fire Departments as they explain the functions of patrol officers, investigators, administrators, and firefighters. Academy participants will also learn how officers are trained and how one can protect against crime and fire hazards. Interesting demonstrations will illustrate the many skills and abilities police officers and fire fighters must have to effectively protect Decatur.

And speaking of the application, HERE IT IS in Word format.

Decatur Police Deputy Chief Keith Lee was asked by Agnes Scott to forward this message to DM readers…

Agnes Scott College will conduct a crisis management drill on August 2, 2011 fro 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This drill will be led by Agnes Scott Police in conjunction with several other municipal and county agencies. There will be no road closures and there should be only minimal impact on the community. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Deputy Lee points out that August 2nd is also the first day of school for Decatur schools “and many of the safe routes to school pass thru or adjacent to Agnes Scott campus. Parents and students should not be alarmed by the presence of many public safety personnel.”