The normal quiet of a northwest Atlanta library was shattered Friday when two gunmen robbed the staff and patrons.
Seven people were in the Perry Homes branch of the Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library System on Bolton Road when the hold-up happened.
Saudia Roberts told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she was about to power off her computer and head home when two men walked into the library with guns.
She said both men looked to be in their late 30s or early 40s and had on a lot of clothing despite the summer heat. She said one suspect had a thin line for a beard.
Atlanta police said each suspect was wearing a white ballcap, blue jeans, a burgundy shirt and white sneakers.
“They looked grimy,” Roberts said.
The two men refused to let anybody leave and said that “this was a robbery.” Roberts screamed to alert the other patrons.
Glen Fortenberry heard her.
“I heard a woman scream and I looked around, and a guy said, ‘You know what this is, get on the ground. Don’t look at me,’” said Fortenberry, who was also at a computer when the robbers entered.
Fortenberry told Channel 2 Action News that he turned around to find a gun pointed at his face.
“I went in my pocket and gave him all my change,” Fortenberry said.
“He said, ‘I know you got some dollars,’” Fortenberry told the station. “I said take it easy man. Be patient. I’m getting my wallet out now.”
Roberts said the suspects stole mostly personal items like purses and cell phones. She lost her smartphone, Georgia ID and $10 in cash during the robbery, according to the incident report.
The Perry Homes Branch is a space that has been temporarily leased to the library system while it works to buile a 25,000-square-foot Northwest Atlanta Library, according to Robinson.
No arrests have been made in the robbery.
About the Author
