Armed Robberies

The City of Canton has had two recent armed robberies, where the victims have been Hispanic males that have been walking in the Marietta Rd., Harmon Field and Academy St. corridor. In 2013, the police department made an arrest of two males for an armed robbery that occurred in the same area.

The latest robbery occurred on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at approximately 8 pm. The suspects in the robbery are described as two black males wearing dark hoodies that covered most of their faces.

 

The Canton Police Department recommends these walking tips:

• Avoid walking alone. There is safety in numbers.
• Stick to well-populated, busy areas. Avoid hidden trails, short cuts through secluded areas or lanes that are not well traveled. 
• Stay where there is traffic and other people on foot.
• Walk in the light and stay in well-lit areas. Do not walk in dark parking lots, dark alleys, dark lanes, dark trails, or any other dark areas. 
• A well-lit path in a well-populated area is your safest route to any destination, even if it takes longer
• Do not wear headphones that will distract you from your surroundings
• Take a cell phone. Carry a cell phone to have handy for 911 and other minor emergencies.
• Let others know. Always leave notice of where you are going and when you are expected to return. 
• Keep your head up and look confident. Posture can make all the difference in how a potential attacker perceives you. If you are looking down, seem distracted or appear afraid you are more likely target.
• If you are going to your car, have keys ready in your hands and inside your pocket. 
• Avoid caring bags or a lot of items in your hands
• If you think you are being followed, head into an open store, restaurant or lighted home. 
• Follow your gut feelings. If someone gives you a bad feeling, tell him/her clearly to leave you alone -walk away.
• Give directions from a distance. Do not approach a car stops to ask you directions.
• Yell if you are under attack. Keep yelling. Yell as loud as you can. Scream. Be noisy. This may scare off the attacker.
• Role play what you would do if you are confronted by someone intending to harm you.
• Have a ‘worst-case scenario’ plan. The best defense against an attack is awareness and action.

If you have have any information regarding these robberies, please contact Detective Tom Priest: tom.priest@canton-georgia.com or 770-720-4883.