Seven women have had wedding rings valued from $10,000 to $60,000 stolen from them in parking lots in the past several months while they were shopping in a variety of Buckhead areas, including Phipps Plaza, along Peachtree and Piedmont Roads and a strip center at West Paces Ferry and Northside Parkway.
None of the women robbed was injured, but all were threatened with force.
Police describe one of the two suspects as a light-skinned African American, 6 foot 1 inch to 6 foot 4 in height, weighing 200 to 215 pounds and well groomed with closely cropped hair and a muscular build. They do not have a description of the driver of the getaway cars.
One of the latest victims, Buckhead resident Shirley “Lee” Espy, 56, described the accomplice as shorter. Espy was had her $60,000 rings stolen from her mid-afternoon in the parking lot of the shopping center at West Paces Ferry and Northside Parkway.
Atlanta Police Zone 2 Major James Sellers said police patrols have been increased in such parking lots and viewing video footage from the crime locations.
Buckhead neighborhood groups are broadcasting alarms to residents urging them to take special precautions. And, the Buckhead Alliance is investigating moving some of the more than 50 cameras posted in the Buckhead Village to other locations to help improve safety and a deterrent to such crimes.
The Buckhead Coalition also is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people involved.
–John Schaffner