Serial Robber Targeting Waffle Houses in Metro Atlanta

A serial armed robber is targeting Waffle House restaurants in metro Atlanta, authorities say.

In the past few days, the man, who robs customers then demands money from the all-night diner's cash register, has hit as many as five Waffle Houses in Clayton, Coweta and Fayette counties.

In Fayetteville, police say a man wearing a skull mask walked into the Waffle House at 700 Glynn St. at 12:17 a.m. Monday, pulled a handgun and demanded money from a customer and the register.

On Tuesday at 1 a.m., a man wearing the same kind of mask similarly robbed the Waffle House at 965 W. Lanier Ave.

Two Waffle Houses in Coweta County were targeted within the same week and another was robbed in Jonesboro. Police suspect the same robber in all of the incidents.

Police say the robber always waits for crowds at the restaurant to thin out before entering.

Authorities are asking the public for help identifying the robber.

They say they want to arrest him not only for the safety of Waffle House patrons and employees, but the robber's own safety — saying that, eventually, he is going to encounter a patron of the 24-hour eatery who is also armed.

"Eventually, this is going to escalate and somebody's going to end up getting hurt," Lt. Mike Whitlow, of the Fayetteville Police Department, told WSB-TV.

Whitlow urges anyone in such a situation to remain calm, and observant.

"Do what they ask you to do," he said to the station. "Follow the directions and be a good witness."

Photo courtesy Fayetteville Police Department