Armed Robber Hugs It Out Near Tech Square
Suspect repeatedly apologizes in alleged incident that comes as City Council President Mitchell prepares to lead Friday's first meeting of the Campus Safety Task Force.
ATLANTA, GA -- According to the Atlanta police, an apologetic armed robber victimized a female construction worker early Wednesday morning in yet another crime on or near the Georgia Tech campus.
The woman reported that she was walking along Williams and 8th streets on her way to the Georgia Tech basketball coliseum construction site when she was approached from behind by a male. After taking her cell phone and $60 in cash, the suspect gave her “three hugs” and “continued to apologize” before fleeing on foot.
The alleged incident comes just two days before Atlanta City Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell prepares to lead the inaugural meeting of the Campus Safety Task Force on Friday. Mitchell recently announced the formation of the 30-day task force to address the trend of crime on college campuses.
After the initial approach, the woman stated that the man said, “Back up! Back up! I got a gun, I’ll shoot you.” The suspect was reported to be wearing brown pants, a black apron, and a receiving baby blanket covering the lower portion of his face. A weapon was never visually present as the suspect replicated what looked to be a weapon under his apron.
After she gave up her wallet, the suspect reportedly snatched her cell phone and cigarettes from her shirt pocket. He then sat on the curb and removed the money while saying “he was sorry” and that it is “hard for him.” He returned the wallet and cigarettes before giving his goodbye hugs and then racing off north on Williams towards 10th St. There were no injuries reported.
The suspect is described as a 5-foot-9, black male, between the ages of 25 and 28. This incident is being investigated by the Atlanta Police Department. The public is asked to report any information regarding this and other criminal incidents to Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477).
The task force is a follow-up action from a meeting held between Mitchell and campus representatives from metro Atlanta colleges and universities to discuss safety concerns, best practices for campus safety, and solutions to ensure the safety of all college students living on and near college campuses.
The task force will be charged with making a set of specific yet uniform safety recommendations to the mayor, the APD, campus presidents and public safety representatives that can be implemented at the beginning of the fall semester.
Members of the task force will focus on strategies to reduce the number of crimes on and around college campuses.
The Friday meeting will take place at 10 a.m. at the Dennard Center at Atlanta Technical College in Seminar Room 205. The Dennard Center is located at 1560 Metropolitan Parkway.
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bridget ulrich
2:00 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
investigation should yield that intelligent students on campuses should be allowed to conceal carry- guarantee you that would help mitigate crime levels!
JustinK
2:51 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Intelligent readers would understand that this was a private individual on their way to work at a private business (construction site@Tech) which is allowed to dictate whether or not employees bring guns to work.
How exactly do you separate intelligent students from impulsive idiots? There's no IQ test for gun ownership much less anyone required to sit through even 5 min of gun safety before buying one. Thus far the only person to learn a lesson about crime was the idiot student that was shot by another student in Home Park when he broke in thinking it was his own home. Apparently the news of an armed student response has not ended crime near campus.
jeff
8:28 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Actually if that person is on Tech property at any point they must disarm by law.
Pam J
4:41 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
I'm going to assume that this guy doesn't do this a lot. You've just about got to feel sorry for him.
jeff
8:31 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Uhh no...
Amanda Pike
2:18 am on Saturday, July 28, 2012
I do feel sorry for him, he sounds desperate.
jeff
7:54 am on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Amanda,
I can't believe you feel sorry for somebody that pulls a gun on someone just for a few lousy bucks. I sure hope that never happens to you as it is a very disturbing life endangering event that stays with you.
He could beg, or better yet get a job. The jobs are out there if you are willing to work.
Amy
5:04 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
One could also characterize the location as "near the Cheetah" as opposed to "near Tech Square". These robberies are as much a midtown problem as a Tech problem.
jeff
8:55 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Amy I agree it is a problem. Anything "near" Tech means that the person being victimized just might have came from or is walking toward Campus Property. The reason Tech is singled out so much in news articles and by criminals is it's a "Gun Free Zone." Which means the criminals have zero resistance and they know it. Criminals don't follow the law and are armed, law-abiding folks disarm and are victims.
jimmie
8:53 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
they seem to be a black on white problem too..just saying the stats aren't lying..get him for robery and assault for the hugs
Knot a Lib
6:28 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
lol on the assault, and right on but I didn't read that he wore a robe.
Marc
10:17 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
young. black. male. again.
Faith Devine
4:56 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
Awww.... Now ain't that sweet? See, now this is what seperates the south from places like NYC! They might mug you, but at least they're gentlemanly about it! Not like those unfriendly New Yorkers!
Have you hugged your victim, today?
Biker4444
9:09 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
You crack me up... LOL
Nick R.
5:12 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
I always hated Atlanta. I was truck driver for many years, and I would frequently end up parked at the T/A truck stop, in South Atlanta. The place was infested with thugs, theives, peddlers and prostitutes. I know people who got out of their truck for less than 3 minutes and got back in the truck, to realize an electronic item or whatever, was missing. Within sight of the fuel desk. The people there are VERY brazen. To rob a guys truck, where he can see you if he happens to glance up, with tons of other witnesses around, even pumping fuel in the island adjacent to the truck their robbing. Lots of witnesses.. That takes real stupidity, and balls that clank! This never happened to me, but I've been on site enough times, and have talked to drivers whom have been victims. I always locked up everything and closed all windows, no matter where I was. Just saying.. College campus, Downtown, Airport, Train station.. It doesn't matter where you are. Be on your guard and switch sides of the street when you see something suspicious coming your way.. You can't find a cop out there when you need one, and they're up your ass when you don't..This is Atlanta for you...
honk
5:32 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
Were did this young, black, male, again comments come from. At least he didn't kill 12 people and injured 58 at a movie theater. Did you forget this was a young, white, male?
John Doe
6:01 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
That's the difference. Black people kill each other indiscriminately for tennis shoes and a blunt, while white people think it through a little more crazily. Seems to me like neither race can say they're better than the other.
Sheila Medenwald
5:35 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
Must of fallen on hard times. he hugged her because he felt bad for robbing her. maybe he has no one to turn to for help. he may have kids as he was wearing a baby blanket over part of his face. Obama hasent done anything for this country! to many people without work, and no end in site!
jeff
5:57 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
If you fall on hard times, go to the food bank, local church, welfare, food stamps, beg, heck steal a loaf of bread, but don't go sticking a gun in someones face!
debbie
5:34 am on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Very true and as the economy continues to sink people will become more and more desperate. The government is removing every safety net they can but they sure find more money (borrowed) to bomb innocent civilians in wars of aggression. We are on a path of self destruction. This is not the America I grew up in.
Kim
5:54 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
I'm guessing he may repeat the crime, not escalate in severity and end in eventual suicide from a tormented conscience and desperation.
Joseph Grant III
7:12 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
the young black male or white male comments are really a sign of ignorance. Financial hardship will cause anyone of any race to crime just as mental imbalance caused the guy with a bright future to lose it in Colarado. Trust me, when you're faced with a life with diminished options, virtually any act will seem rationale, even blowing yourself and innocents up in the name of religion. That's why I don't take people too seriously and always take time to reduce stress. Life can turn you into a real puke if you let it.
nancy
8:48 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
Obviously Psych I He needs the money...hated to resort to this...I don't agree w/ what he decided, But He knows He's gonna get caught
BUMintheSUN421
1:15 am on Saturday, July 28, 2012
I would've done things differently. I'd rob the woman, say I was sorry, then tweak her nipples and say, "beep beep"...
athensga1234@hotmail.com
12:06 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
better tried by 12 than carried by 6