Sandy Springs Police Catch Alleged Mail Thief

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- Editor’s note: the following incidents were taken from the Sandy Springs Police Department’s Weekly Wrap Up compiled by Capt. Steve Rose, which contains some — not all — of the incidents that occurred May 13-18:

Burglary

• 100 block of Allen Road, 30328, 5/18: An employee reported that someone unlocked a gate to a construction site and took several construction items.
• 1000 block of Crest Valley Drive, 30342, 5/13: A 54-year-old man said he and his roommate left for the Dominican Republic on May 6 and upon their return, discovered that the roommate’s room had been gone through. Two watches were stolen from the home. No forced entry.

Thefts

• 300 block of Carpenter Drive, 30328, 5/14: A 19-year-old woman reported that $1,000 cash was stolen from her purse in the employee area of the office building she works in. There were only two other employees in that area at that time and video may well show one or both walking to the area where the purse was at the time of theft. Capt. Steve Rose says: Don’t leave $1,000 cash in your purse anywhere.
• 800 block of Davis Drive, 30339, 5/15: Someone hooked up a gas line on the wrong side of a resident’s gas meter.
• 900 block of Crest Valley Drive, 30342, 5/15: The resident reported mail taken from his mailbox (an arrest was made that is most likely connected and will clear this theft — see arrests).
• 5700 block of Roswell Road, 30342, 5/16: A 43-year-old man said he had an MRI done at the location and during that time, left his clothing in the locker room of the facility. At some point, someone stole a ring from the locker area.
• 201 Northwood Drive, 30342, 5/17: A 2002 Ford Expedition was stolen from his apartment and later found in a nearby apartment complex.

Thefts From Vehicles

• 6200 block of Park Avenue, 30342, 5/14: sunglasses, phone charger
• 500 block of Valley Lane, 30328, 5/14: Glock 9mm pistol from unlocked car
• 5900 block of Garber Drive, 30328, 5/14: Laptop
• 600 block of Lorell Drive, 30328, 5/14: Items not listed. Car unlocked
• 5700 block of Lake Forrest Drive, 30328, 5/15: Duffel bag with belongings
• 5800 block of Greenbrier Road, 30328, 5/15: Glasses and other items, car possibly unlocked
• 5300 block of Peachtree Dunwoody Road, 30342, 5/17: Backpack, $27 cash, gift cards
• 6350 block of PDR, 30328, 5/13: 3 men seen taking items, purse.

Other Things

• 4920 Roswell Road, 30342, 5/16: Violence broke out at the normally tranquil Pizza Hut when at around 7 p.m., an employee was pepper-sprayed by another employee. Apparently, an argument ensued over the placement of the cheese and pepperoni on a pizza or pizzas in general. The debate turned into an argument to the point where a third employee separated them. The agitator and pizza-placement critic left the location, but returned a short time later with a can of pepper spray. The spray was discharged, hitting the pizza maker on the arm but not the eyes. The alleged pepper sprayer left. The officer called him to which he told the officer not to call back. A warrant was taken for the suspect/critic for disorderly conduct.
• 5800 block of Glenridge Drive, 30342, 5/18: A 47-year-old man said an old friend contacted him last July, offering a “water” deal he was into in Texas. He wanted a $6,700 investment that would yield a $20,000 return. Needless to say, the victim received nothing and cannot find a record of the “water” deal. The friend is now laying low and cannot be located.

Arrests

• 5925 Roswell Road, 30328, 5/16: Cops were called to the Kaiser Chophouse Restaurant around 7:30 p.m. regarding a theft. The complainant said a black male and female had just stolen $350 cash from his backpack and keys from a valet stand. The witness said the male gave the woman a $20 bill from the money, which she put in her pocket. The witness/victim lost contact with the pair. A lookout was given and a short time later, another officer spotted a woman who matched the lookout on Roswell Road just south of the location. The witness identified her and she was charged with the theft (the $20 was still in her pocket). The male suspect was not located. She told the officer his name was “Eddie” and she had just met him. She claimed she found the backpack, assuming that no one owned it. She was transported to jail.
• 5975 Roswell Road, 30328, 5/17 (Ship & Anchor Pub): Officers were called to the location around 7 p.m. regarding a drunken female outside of the restaurant/bar. The cops found her, slurring, smelling of booze, unsteady and all the other joys of being intoxicated. The officer offered to call her a taxi and get her home. She was initially cooperative and took a liking to one of the officers whom she tried to kiss. He respectfully declined so she got mad and cursed him out as well as everyone else. Still, at this point, they were wanting her in the taxi, but she continued to curse and act belligerent. At that point, she was arrested and taken to the hospital to be cleared to be sent to jail. She was so intoxicated that they kept her for observation.
• GA-400 southbound at Abernathy Road, 30328, 5/13: Around 1:30 a.m., a patrol officer spotted a car on GA-400 doing 75 in a 55-mile-per hour construction zone. He stopped the car and smelled marijuana inside the vehicle. The driver said he had “about a zip” of weed. The man’s backpack had about 69 grams of weed in individual “zips” as well as a Taurus pistol. The man was arrested.
• 6350 Roswell Road (Costco), 30328, 5/13: The loss prevention staff at Costco observed a man place shrimp and salad down his pants and attempt to walk out of the store. He was stopped and later cited by cops for the $12 theft. The items were recovered from his pants and immediately burned by a local HazMat team.
• Mt. Paran Road, 30342, 5/13: Just before 7 p.m., a patrol car was dispatched on a suspicious car and persons, looking into and taking mail from mailboxes in the area of Mt. Paran Road. The car was described as a Nissan Altima. The officer spotted a mail truck and knowing that thieves sometimes tail them to look for mail, he hung around the area. Shortly thereafter, near Mt. Paran and Long Island, he spotted a car matching the description. He stopped the car containing a black male and female as well as a young child. The officer spoke with the man for a few minutes and then asked to search the car. The driver refused. In the meantime, another officer spoke with the witness, specifically regarding how the suspects were dressed. The witness accurately described the man being interviewed by the officer. The man was arrested for criminal trespass and subject to the impound, a number of mail items were located in the car. Sandy Springs, Suwanee, Atlanta and Canton were among the mail items recovered from the car. Detectives later interviewed the suspect before being taken to jail. The woman was not charged and took custody of the child and arranged to be taken from the scene. The car was impounded. The detectives are now backtracking to see what activity he was involved in.

Image via Sandy Springs Police