Atlanta police are asking for the public’s help in finding a violent purse snatcher who uses a brick as a weapon.
The suspect is believed to have carried out five strong-arm robberies during the past year at the same condominium complex in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood in southwest Atlanta, said Sgt. Gregory Lyon with the Atlanta Police Department. In three of the robberies, he either threatened or hit his victim with a brick. In two of the robberies he attacked or threatened the victim with his fist, Lyon said in an e-mail.
The first incident took place in March, and the latest was on Dec. 23.
In all five robberies, the man targeted women who had parked their cars at the garage of the condo building at 425 Chapel Street SW, and were walking to their homes.
In one incident, the victim told police the man approached her after she got out of her car and began beating her in the head with a brick before taking her purse and cellphone, according to a police incident report. The woman suffered lacerations to her face and an injury to her forhead, but declined treatment at a hospital, the report said.
In another incident, the suspect threw a brick at the victim when she resisted, injuring her hand. In a third incident, the man threatened the victim with a brick when she resisted.
In the other two incidents, the man either struck or threatened the victim with his fist.
In all of the incidents, the suspect stole the victims’ purses, which contained cash, credit cards or debit cards, and cellphones.
The suspect is described as a short, thin black male, 5-foot-2 to 5-foot-3, in his early 20s with pockmarks or acne scars on his face. He wears a hoodie or hat while committing the robberies, Lyon said.
Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact police at 404-658-6636 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 Lyon said.
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