Three local police departments are working together to help solve a recent rash of violent crimes.
Decatur police said crime in the area may be linked to several violent robberies in Atlanta and DeKalb County.
The three police departments are teaming up and held a community meeting Monday night at the Solarium in Decatur.
Concerned neighbors learned there have been 16 burglaries in the city since May 30, and five robberies in July.
Police said a 15-year-old carjacked a woman at gunpoint on Swanton Way on July 3. City workers followed the car and called police. Officers arrested the teen when he crashed the car a few blocks away, police said.
On July 1, police said a group of teens targeted mothers with their children at Oakhurst Park. One victim told Channel 2’s Amy Napier Viteri that a teen pointed a gun at her, but she refused to hand over her phone. She said the group got away with another cellphone and her car.
Decatur’s police chief, joined Monday night by Atlanta and DeKalb police, told neighbors that the crimes in all three jurisdictions could be linked.
“It’s a concerted effort between Atlanta and DeKalb and ourselves. I think we’re sharing some commonalities in the types of crimes and the methods of operation,” Decatur police Chief Mike Booker said.
Police said in the burglary cases, teenage boys are using stolen vehicles and targeting homes with lots of shade and driveways where they can back in.
Tammi Ryan said that is what happened to her June 25, when thieves broke into her Gresham Hills home in DeKalb County and stole a TV and jewelry.
Meeting attendee Sharron Reeves said there is a possible silver lining.
“I think the more frequent it is, the more chance it is for the police to catch them,” Reeves said…
Read More: wsbtv.com
