Canton Police Investigate Armed Robberies

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The Canton Police Department is investigating two armed robberies that took place in the heart of the city.

The victims on both occasions were Hispanic men who were walking in the Marietta Road, Harmon Field and Academy Street areas, the police department said on Friday.

In 2013, the police department arrested and charged two teens for committing armed robberies in the same area of the city.

The latest robbery occurred around 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, police said. The suspects in the robbery are described as two black men who wore dark hoodies that covered most of their faces.

To reduce your chances of being a victim, the Canton Police Department recommends these tips while walking throughout the city:

• Avoid walking alone; there is safety in numbers;
• Stick to well-populated, busy areas; avoid hidden trails, short cuts through secluded areas or lanes that are not well traveled;
• Stay where there is traffic and other people on foot;
• Walk in the light and stay in well-lit areas; do not walk in dark parking lots, dark alleys, dark lanes, dark trails, or any other dark areas;
• A well-lit path in a well-populated area is your safest route to any destination, even if it takes longer;
• Do not wear headphones that will distract you from your surroundings;
• Take a cell phone; carry a cell phone to have handy for 911 and other minor emergencies;
• Let others know: always leave notice of where you are going and when you are expected to return;
• Keep your head up and look confident; posture can make all the difference in how a potential attacker perceives you; if you are looking down, seem distracted or appear afraid you are more likely target;
• If you are going to your car, have keys ready in your hands and inside your pocket;
• Avoid caring bags or a lot of items in your hands;
• If you think you are being followed, head into an open store, restaurant or lighted home;
• Follow your gut instincts; if someone gives you a bad feeling, tell him/her clearly to leave you alone and walk away;
• Give directions from a distance; do not approach a car stops to ask you directions;
• Yell if you are under attack and keep yelling; yell as loud as you can; scream and be noisy, as this may scare off the attacker;
• Role play what you would do if you are confronted by someone intending to harm you; and
• Have a worst-case scenario plan; the best defense against an attack is awareness and action.

If you have have any information regarding these robberies, contact Detective Tom Priest at tom.priest@canton-georgia.com or 770-720-4883.