Atlanta police say a gun-toting thief has been roaming job sites this winter, zeroing in on construction and lawn crews across the city in a series of robberies and attempted stickups that started in late December and continued into January. Workers report armed hold ups on the clock, with the suspect allegedly going after cash and tools.
Police Link Multiple Holdups, Release Suspect Photo
Investigators have released a photo of a man they believe is tied to several incidents in southwest Atlanta, including recent holdups along Fairburn Road and Old Gordon Road, as they work to connect the dots. One reported robbery on Jan. 17 involved two construction workers who told officers they were robbed at gunpoint. The man in the released image is currently wanted for questioning, according to WSB-TV.
Northwest Atlanta Crews Also Targeted
Earlier in January, the same suspect may have struck in northwest Atlanta, police say. A worker at a construction site on Andrew Hairston Place NW reported being robbed at gunpoint, and shortly afterward, a crew of seven lawn care workers on Proctor Street NW was confronted in what investigators are calling an attempted robbery. No one was hurt in those encounters. The suspect was described as a hooded male who demanded cash, details first outlined by 95.5 WSB.
Tipsters Can Stay Anonymous, Cash In
Atlanta police and Crime Stoppers are now leaning on the public, asking anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information about the robberies to step up. Tipsters can stay anonymous and, if their information leads to an arrest and indictment, could land a reward of up to $5,000, FOX5 Atlanta reports. Tips can be submitted through the Crime Stoppers hotline, the P3 Tips app or the Crime Stoppers website.
Why Jobsite Workers Keep Getting Hit
The pattern echoes other recent cases in the metro area, where thieves pose as workers or lurk around unattended work vans, then turn violent if someone steps in, according to contractors and police who have spoken with reporters. Similar construction crew robberies were documented in neighboring DeKalb County in December, and authorities there urged crews not to confront suspects but instead to note vehicle descriptions and other details for investigators, as reported by WSB-TV.
The suspect in the Atlanta cases remains unidentified. Anyone who recognizes the person in the released photo or has information about the incidents is asked to contact Crime Stoppers or the Atlanta Police Department, and police stress that residents should not approach a potential suspect.
