Decatur Crime: Two Fleeing Trucks, One Break-In

At the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association meeting on Monday, Decatur police said most recent burglaries involved the use of a stolen vehicle big enough to carry away a flat-scree television.

The officers urged residents to pay attention if they saw an unknown vehicle backed into a driveway.

That happened this week, as detailed in this message sent late Tuesday by the Decatur police. Police, by the way, said they rarely chase fleeing vehicles because it's so dangerous to bystanders.

On Monday, July 8, 2013 at approximately 3pm, a Decatur officer in an unmarked vehicle observed a dark grey Dodge Ram pick-up being driven by a black male in his mid-teens backing into a driveway in the 300 block of Second Avenue. 

The officer circled back to check on the vehicle and residence due to recent burglaries and the vehicle was gone. While checking the residence, which was secured with no signs of a break-in, the officer observed the vehicle drive back by and flee the area at a high rate of speed upon seeing the officer.  A pursuit was not initiated. It was determined a vehicle fitting that description had recently been reported stolen to the DeKalb County Police Department.

A grey 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 displaying GA tag #BTP0473, with a large gold “GT” logo sticker on the center of the tailgate.  The house and driveway were not obscured and there was a very vocal dog inside of the house. 

At approximately 7pm, a caller reported arriving home in the 200 block of East Lake Drive and hearing a faint audible alarm that he found was coming from his neighbor’s house.  Officers discovered the rear French doors forced open and a large television missing.  The rear driveway was obscured by the house.  The owners have a dog that was not home at the time. 

On Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at approximately 11:20 pm, a Decatur officer was stationary in the rear of the new neighborhood on Clarke Hill Street off Midway Road when he observed a green Hyundai Santa Fe occupied by two black males who appeared to be in their mid-late teens entering the complex.

They abruptly fled the area upon seeing the police.  A pursuit was not initiated.  Officers located the vehicle crashed and unoccupied on a nearby side street.  The vehicle was previously reported stolen to the DeKalb County Police Department.