Zone 2 reports violent crime down, arrest successes

The Atlanta Police Department’s Zone 2 Commander Maj. Van Hobbs told the board of Neighborhood Planning Unit B July 3 “We look good in violent crime” in Buckhead. “We’re down in homicide, rape, robbery and burglary,” he said. 

Maj. Hobbs said aggravated assault is up from last year but added it currently is dropping. But he emphasized the major problems are burglary and car larceny. 

Zone 2's Maj. Van Hobbs

The major, who took over command of Zone 2 earlier this year, said police recently caught a suspect that shoplifted and then attempted to break into a car as well.  When Zone 2 police caught the suspect, it turned out he had an extensive criminal history including robbery, burglary, larceny and auto theft. The suspect may be responsible for many car break-ins in the area, Hobbs added.

“We tracked him back to break-ins in Zone 5,” Hobbs said. “The area he was in has not had another car break-in since he was put in jail.”

  

Hobbs again emphasized the APD’s “Clean Car Campaign” designed to make people aware to clean their cars of items that entice criminals--such as laptop computers, briefcases, purses and GPS systems—and are “left in plain view while they leave cars in parking lots.”

Additionally, he said catalytic convertors are often stolen out of “large trucks they can get under easily or Element-type vehicles.”

Hobbs turned the floor over to Zone 2 Criminal Investigations Unit Sgt. Scott Ormond to discuss one of the recent successful arrests of a career criminal that is responsible for recent burglaries at Frank Ski’s restaurant on Peachtree Road in Buckhea and has confessed to numerous similar crimes in the area as well.

The suspect was caught on video surveillance at Frank Ski’s restaurant and prints were lifted at another recent burglary at a Jersey Mike’s sandwich shop at 391 14th St. in Zone 5, which allowed police to get a name of the individual, have a warrant issued and ultimately allowing them to make an arrest.

Zone 2 Community Prosecutor
Tiffany Harlow

Although the arrest was actually made in Zone 5, Ormond said the man was a commercial and residential burglar who worked both Zone 2 and Zone 5. According to Ormond, the man has confessed to “eight and counting” offenses.  

Zone 2 Community Prosecutor Tiffany Harlow, who is assigned to Buckhead by the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, said career criminals are still roaming the streets for a few reasons. “We’ve had a problem with judges being really lenient,” Harlow said at the meeting. “Our guidelines have been pumped up.”

She said it also makes it easier for criminals to get off when victims do not show up to the court hearing, which happens often. “It’s imperative the victims show and are given the opportunity to speak,” Harlow said.

Harlow spoke about the importance of participation in the Citizens' Court Watch program, which was created as a way to include citizens in the criminal justice system.

NPU-B chair Sally Silver said it is just as important for the general public to show up during court proceedings to let the judges know about the public’s concern about crime. “You may not be a victim this time," Silver said, "but you may be next on the list."


Signs for safe shopping

Sign by the Chase Bank at The Peach Shopping Center.

Signs like the one in the photo are posted at points around The Peach Shopping Center, at 2900 Peachtree Road in Buckhead, to help shoppers with pointers for making their shopping a little bit safer. Here is the message to shoppers:

 “Shop Safe. Say and Do Something.

SAY: If you see something, Call 911,

DO: Every Visit:

Be aware of your surroundings at all times

Always keep your keys in your hand

Avoid talking on your cell phone

Be sure to lock your car doors

Keep packages and valuables out of sight

This property is protected by Atlanta Police Officers. Violators will be prosecuted. A service of Accion Security."