Babies can be expensive, and so can babysitters. That may be why one couple brings Junior along when it’s time to go to work.
But the “work” is at least two armed robberies in the Buckhead area, and Atlanta police want to find the duo that brought along their small “accomplice.” On Wednesday, an arrest warrant was issued for the man involved in the crimes, Officer John Chafee told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
A surveillance camera captured the two sitting and smoking cigarettes at a table in front of Publix, across from Phipps Plaza, over the weekend. Police released a four-minute video of the couple Tuesday as part of the investigation.
The video shows the couple sitting down beside a baby stroller with an infant carrier, and occasionally, the woman is seen rocking the stroller with her hand to soothe the baby. Shortly after the picture was taken, the two are believed to have committed an armed robbery.
Just after 10 p.m. Saturday, a 60-year-old man was walking home from Publix when he saw a woman with a stroller and a crying baby, according to a police report. Moments later, the man felt a gun at the back of his head and heard a man telling him not to turn around and to hand over his money and credit cards, the victim told police.
The victim gave the suspect his wallet and the PIN number for his ATM card, and the suspect walked away, according to police. About 20 minutes later, a man at Publix reported seeing a man and a woman with a stroller ask if there was an ATM machine at the store, the police report states.
On Sunday afternoon, a similar incident was reported by a 68-year-old man on Oak Valley Road, police said.
The man and a friend were also walking home from the grocery store when they were approached by a man pointing a gun and demanding money, according to the police report. This time, the suspect threatened to kill the men if they didn’t give up their wallets, the report states.
Police said the idea of bringing a baby along for an armed robbery is unique.
"I've had a lot of robberies, but this is the first time I've seen them bring a small infant like that with them," Detective E. Johnson told Channel 2 Action News. He said the couple has been seen committing robberies on several other videos.
Investigators have identified the man in the video, but declined to release his name Wednesday, citing the ongoing investigation, Chafee said.
Anyone with information about the pair is asked to call Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-877-TIPS. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
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