3 arrested in violent robberies targeting pedestrians in Chamblee, police say

Three people have been arrested in connection with 13 armed robberies in a north DeKalb County community, the Chamblee police department said Wednesday afternoon.

The victims were robbed while walking at night in the area of Buford Highway over the course of two months, according to Chamblee police. All 13 happened between May 24 and July 24, between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.

Police are withholding the identities of the men, who are also suspected in other armed robberies in nearby jurisdictions.

“We believe five to six (robberies) are of the same crew, the same people,” Chamblee police Capt. Jason Waasdorp told AJC.com. “The rest could be connected, but we're still looking into that right now.”

He said it appears the victims were targeted. The men were ambushed as they were walking to and from their homes.

Detectives believe they are looking for one or two groups of two or three men. Each of the victims provided a similar description of their attackers, police said.

“In all the incidents, the suspects ... were armed with handguns,” police said on Facebook. “In three of the incidents, the suspects pistol-whipped their victims, and in another two, the suspect fired one shot.”

Six of the victims were robbed near Buford Highway in the area of Chamblee Dunwoody and Shallowford roads, and the other seven were robbed closer to Plaster Road. The area sees a lot of foot traffic, Waasdorp said.

Chamblee police are investigating 13 armed robberies in the area of Buford Highway that may all be linked. (Credit: Chamblee Police Department)

The thieves are considered dangerous. Police said they have been seen in three vehicles: a white sedan that looks like a taxi, a green older-model Chevrolet Blazer and a red sedan.

Investigators are asking for the public’s help to identify them. Anyone with information should contact Waasdorp at 770-986-5005.