Athens police release sketch of man wanted in robbery near UGA campus
Police in Athens released a sketch Monday of a man they say robbed a University of Georgia student right outside the campus.
The victim told Athens-Clarke County police detectives that the suspect is in his 20s and is about 6-foot-1 with a slim build. According to the sketch, he has a tattoo on his forehead and may also have one on his neck.
The robbery happened about noon Thursday, Athens police said in a news release. Officers were called to the 300 block of South Pope Street near Waddell Street, where a 21-year-old man was robbed by a man with a weapon, police said. It’s unclear what weapon the suspect threatened the victim with during the robbery.
RELATED: 2 armed robberies reported in Athens within a half-mile, including 1 on UGA campus
The man was one of two UGA students robbed within a half-mile of each other that day, AJC.com previously reported. The other robbery happened on campus.
Just before midnight, an 18-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint by two men in a parking lot, university police said in emails to students. The robbery happened in the West Deck near Russell Hall.
Two men approached the victim, with one asking to borrow his phone before telling him to get on the ground, the emails said. Both men, who were armed with handguns, then took several items from the victim. The victim was not injured.
The suspects escaped by running toward Cloverhurst Avenue, the emails said.
Athens police earlier released surveillance video of two men, one of whom is believed to match the description of the suspect in the South Pope Street incident.
Police spokesman Geoffrey Gilland said his department’s detectives are working with UGA police to try to determine if the crimes are connected.
Anyone with information on the South Pope Street crime is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 706-705-4775 or Athens police at 706-613-330, ext. 522, or 706-613-3330, ext. 556.
About the Author
Asia Simone Burns is a watchdog reporter for the AJC. Burns was formerly an intern in AJC’s newsroom and now writes about crime. She is a graduate of Samford University and has previously reported for NPR and WABE, Atlanta’s NPR member station.
