BUCKHEAD

Burglary ends with car crash into tree

Five suspects are accused of staging a daring hair-weave burglary in Buckhead early Saturday, but their getaway was cut short after crashing into a tree, police said.

Atlanta Police Capt. Van Hobbs said police are investigating whether the suspects, four of whom were taken into custody after the crash off Sidney Marcus Boulevard, are responsible for other similar robberies in metro Atlanta.

The robbery occurred just before 2:30 a.m. in a shopping center at the corner of Piedmont Road and Sidney Marcus Boulevard. Police told Channel 2 Action News the suspects smashed windows at Sandy’s Hair Care Co. and the Scottish Tobacco store next door, and almost got away with 93 packages of hair extensions worth $13,000 and 13 cartons of cigarettes. CHRISTOPHER SEWARD

ATLANTA

Gunman accosts two Tech students

Two Georgia Tech students were targeted in attempted armed robberies early Saturday, the university reported. In both incidents, the victims said they were approached by a man armed with a silver handgun who demanded the students’ property and fled without taking anything.

At 12:55 a.m., in the Home Park neighborhood, a student said he was walking when a man approached him, pointed a handgun and demanded his property. The student fled to a nearby McDonald’s restaurant and called police. The robber, who had chased the student, fled on foot.

Around 1:15 a.m., another student walking near Ferst Drive and State Street was approached by a man fitting the description in the first holdup.

CHRISTOPHER SEWARD

Oct. 30 fundraiser to benefit AIDS victims

Works by Seattle artist Joey M. Robinson will take center stage at the John C. Hopkins memorial fundraiser gala.

The event runs 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 30 at Atlanta’s Biltmore hotel, and will include a silent auction. Proceeds will help support Someone Cares Inc., which assists those whose lives are affected by HIV/AIDS.

The Biltmore is at 817 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta. For information: 678-921-2706. Laurie Hoffman

METRO

Douglas County Marine killed in Afghanistan

A Marine from Douglas County was killed Thursday in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense said Friday.

Lance Cpl. Scott D. Harper, 21, of Winston died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, military officials said. Harper was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, in Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Harper was a 2008 graduate of Alexander High School, where he was an outgoing student and active in ROTC, the Douglas County Sentinel reported. A moment of silence was observed for Harper before the start of Friday night’s football game between Alexander and Chapel Hill high schools, both in Douglas County.

ALEXIS STEVENS

Southside

Marker for ex-governor Arnall to be dedicated

A historical marker for former Gov. Ellis Arnall, one of three founders of Arnall Golden Gregory law firm, will be dedicated today in Newnan. Arnall was governor from 1943 to 1947 and helped found AGG two years later. He died in 1992. Tammy Joyner