Crime & Safety

Watch Who You 'Meet-Up' with on Facebook

In certain cases like this one near the Peachtree-Pine homeless shelter, a Facebook encounter can quickly turn dangerous.

Reports have surfaced about a weekend incident just south of Midtown in which three women were robbed at gunpoint near the Peachtree-Pine homeless shelter.

According to an alert sent by Emory University Hospital Midtown officials to the community, "at approximately 8:30 PM on Sunday, February 3, 2013, four individuals with no known affiliation with Emory reported to the Atlanta Police Department that they were victims of an armed robbery near the intersection of Courtland and Pine Streets."

The hospital, located at 550 Peachtree Street, is situated just a block away from the shelter and concern has grown for the safety of staff and patients when outside the medical facility.

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The weekend community alert went on to say that the victims' cell phones, iPods, purses, and other personal items were taken.

Responding APD officers searched for three suspects, one who was described as holding a gun, "5"9, 150lbs, wearing blue jeans, a grey hoodie, and a white scarf covering his face."

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APD officers were unable to find any of the suspects at the time.

In a strange twist, the police's investigation seemed to point towards a prearranged meet between the victims and possibly the suspects. The police report reads, "after further investigation it was revealed that (1 of the victims) had just met (a suspect) on Facebook. Apparently, they all were supposed to meet in the area of Piedmont and Linden Park. This was not advised in the beginning (of the investigation)."

According to the police report, it is still unclear what exactly transpired before the robbery, but the suspects are still being sought and police hope video surveillance footage from the Walgreens on Piedmont may have caught a glimpse of the suspects.

What is clear is that the area around the Peachtree-Pine homeless shelter can be dangerous at night especially. 

In Mid-January, the hospital released a community warning after a taxi cab driver was assaulted by several men and robbed after dropping off a passenger near the Peachtree-Pine homeless shelter.

Here are some general safety tips from Emory University Hospital Midtown:

  • Use the safety escort service
  • After dark, walk with a partner or in a group whenever possible
  • Avoid poorly lit areas
  • Know where you are and be aware of your surroundings
  • Report suspicious activity immediately to the police
  • Lock your doors


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