Sandy Springs home invasion victim tried to hit suspect with bat

Demarco Parham (Credit: Sandy Springs Police Department)

Credit: Sandy Springs Police Department

Credit: Sandy Springs Police Department

Demarco Parham (Credit: Sandy Springs Police Department)

A victim in a Sandy Springs home invasion said he tried to beat the suspect over the head with a bat.

Paul Hamby said his dogs tipped him off to alleged robber Demarco Parham and an accomplice’s presence at his home on Hunter’s Trace Circle shortly after midnight Monday.

“I was just standing at the corner of the stairs with a bat, just waiting for somebody to come up,” he told Channel 2 Action News.

Hamby said that’s when adrenaline took over and he inched toward Parham, who had his back turned. But Hamby didn’t count on Parham turning around.

“I just saw a bright light, big sound, felt the heat, so it was a pretty tense moment,” Hamby said, “and I turned back around, ran back inside as fast as I could, locked the door, and checked myself to make sure I wasn’t shot.”

Hamby told police Parham fired three shots, Channel 2 reported.

According to police, Parham and another suspect took off running, got into Hamby’s blue 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee and left.

Parham and the stolen car were found later Monday in southwest Atlanta.

Sandy Springs police said Parham is connected to other burglaries.

“Detectives with Sandy Springs Police and Atlanta Police have conducted an extensive investigation and have determined that Parham was involved in multiple burglaries in the cities of Sandy Springs and Atlanta,” Sgt. Sam Worsham said in a news release.

And Parham did not work alone, police said.

“A second suspect has been identified and detectives are working on connecting him to the incidents in Sandy Springs,” Worsham said.

Worsham said evidence from multiple burglaries and a handgun were recovered from Monday’s home invasion.

Parham waived his first court appearance Wednesday and remains in jail without bond. He faces home invasion, armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, aggravated assault and motor vehicle theft charges.

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