Precinct 2 PENS March 2022
Welcome to the March edition of the PENS Bulletin brought to you by the Cobb County Police Criminal Investigations Unit at Precinct Two.
Crime Prevention Tips
Three factors must be present for a crime to occur: desire, ability, and opportunity. You can have a significant impact on opportunity and reduce crime by following these simple crime prevention tips.
At Home
- Use a door viewer before opening your door. Always demand identification from strangers (even repair or salespersons).
- Always lock up your home before leaving and don't hide your house keys outdoors anywhere.
- Have keys ready and in your hand for immediate use when you return home.
- Use interior and exterior lighting at all times.
While Walking
- Plan your route ahead of time. Never walk alone at night; walk with a friend or your dog.
- Use well-lit streets, not dark alleys or bushy areas.
- Carry signaling devices like shriek alarms or a whistle.
- Carry defensive devices such as pepper spray.
- Be alert to what’s all around you! Look behind you occasionally.
- Never ask for or accept a ride from a stranger.
- Don't carry large sums of money or wear valuable jewelry.
- Don't resist an armed robber. Hand over whatever is demanded quickly and quietly.
- Remember, your life and safety are worth more than any personal property.
While Driving
- Always look inside your vehicle before getting in.
- Lock all doors immediately after you are in the vehicle.
- Never pick up hitchhikers.
- If a stranger approaches while you are in a vehicle, keep the windows up, doors locked and engine running.
- Honk your horn if you need to attract attention.
- Park in well-lit areas at night.
- Always lock your car when leaving it.
- Consider installing an auto burglar alarm system.
- Don't leave anything valuable in your car if at all possible.
Purse & Wallet Protection
- If possible, don't carry a purse. Never carry anything you can't afford to lose in it.
- Carry your purse across the front of your body, with your forearm across the front of the purse and your elbow held tightly against your side.
- Carry your keys, wallet, or other valuables in pockets in your clothes and not in your hand.
- Carry minimum amounts of cash and credit cards. Keep a record of all of your card numbers.
- Have a heightened awareness while conducting business at an ATM.
- If you suspect your credit cards have been lost/ stolen, report them immediately to the police. Often stolen credit cards are used within 15 minutes of being stolen.
Precinct 2 First Quarter Statistics
| Crime Event | Number | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 2 | -33% |
| Robbery | 9 | -25% |
| Aggravated Assault | 34 | +36% |
| Burglary | 36 | +50% |
| Commercial Burglary | 24 | +60% |
| Entering Auto | 73 | +14% |
| Theft | 165 | +11% |
| Vehicle Theft | 36 | -32% |
Remember, Crime Trend data can be deceiving, but make no mistake crime is up in South Cobb.
A Crisis Has No Schedule
Help is available 24/7 for problems with developmental disabilities, mental health, drugs, or alcohol.
Call the Georgia Crisis & Access Line at 1-800-715-4225 or visit georgiacollaborative.com.
See Something. Say Something
We are working hard in the uniform and detective bureaus to keep our community safe. We need your help. Call 911 to report suspicious activity, register your cameras, and lock your vehicles when parked. Small steps can make a big difference.
Community Affairs Officers for Precinct 2
The Community Affairs Unit seeks to effectively engage the community and citizens to strengthen Public Safety and community partnerships, facilitate a joint effort in solving problems which affect our community, and foster enhanced trust, communication, transparency, and mutual respect. Officers work with homeowner’s associations, community organizations, advocacy groups, public and private schools, faith-based organizations, and individual residents to promote partnerships that are mutually beneficial.
As a result of these working partnerships, the officers are able to develop pro-active crime fighting projects that are jointly undertaken by Department personnel and citizens.
Officer Mike Hill is assigned as the Community Affairs officers serving the community in Precinct 2.
If you have a concern affecting your area or would like more information regarding this unit, please contact Officer Mike Hill at Michael.Hill@cobbcounty.org.
Happenings in South Cobb
On April 2, 2022, the Mableton Improvement Coalition (MIC) will host the Taste of Mableton with a theme - "One Mableton; Stronger Together." The Taste of Mableton will be held at the Mable House Complex from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. This inaugural event will mark a great new tradition for the Mableton community.
The Taste of Mableton will begin with a parade departing from Mableton Walk at 9:00 am, traveling South on Floyd Road to the Mable House Complex. The day's events will deliver a sampling of "all things Mableton" to our attendees, presented as a fusion of people, flavors, passions, cultures, services, and lifestyles. MIC will showcase Mableton's uniqueness while bringing together its residents, businesses, schools, leaders, civic organizations, and nonprofits in an inclusive and fun atmosphere.
The Taste of Mableton is an ideal occasion to connect with residents and community partners who collaborate with MIC, striving to realize Mableton's full potential.
To discuss this invitation further or confirm your participation, please contact Michelle Bradley, Communications at: communications@mableton.orgcommunications@mableton.org.
We look forward to seeing you at the Taste of Mableton and continued engagement in our work on behalf of the Mableton community.
For more information on the Taste of Mableton, please visit tasteofmableton.com.
Your Precinct 2 Heroes at Work
Homicide Suspects from Tennessee Arrested
On 1/11/2022, Officer Meuse observed a stolen vehicle out of Tennessee on Factory Shoals, near Riverside. The vehicle was a gray Hyundai Accent. The vehicle accelerated once it noticed Officer Meuse’s patrol vehicle. Officer Meuse activated his emergency equipment and attempted to stop the suspect’s vehicle. The vehicle sped onto Riverside and headed towards I-20. Officer Meuse and FTO McConnell pursued the vehicle and ended the pursuit with the PIT maneuver. The driver, a recently released felon, and the passenger were taken into custody. Both had handguns concealed in their possession. No injuries were reported and there was minor damage to a civilian big rig that “assisted” with the stop. Officer later learned both suspects were wanted for a murder that had occurred the previous day out of Tennessee.
Below is a link to the story:
Serial Shoplifter Arrest
On 2/04/2022, Officers were notified by Target LP of a subject who was wanted for previous theft by deception at multiple locations around Metro Atlanta, including Cobb County. The subject would purchase Apple Air Pods and take him to his car and swap the item with either counterfeit products or little bags of sand and then re-seal the box. Officer Bertolini, Officer Fitzpatrick, Officer George, Officer Rogers, and Sergeant Hubauer assisted in locating and taking the suspect into custody after a short foot pursuit. Detective C. Walker responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. The officers located the suspect’s vehicle and it was impounded. Det. Walker completed a search warrant on the vehicle on 02/08/2022 and located several items the suspect used to create fraudulent returns. The investigation revealed the suspect has committed the Theft by Deception in Atlanta, Douglasville, Sandy Springs, Marietta, and Cobb County Target stores. He had frauded Target out of more than $15,000 in merchandise since December 2021. Det. Walker obtained additional warrants for the suspect for his criminal activity relating to this incident.
Entering Auto Arrest
On 1/18/2022 at 11:43 pm, Z2 Morning Watch Officers were dispatched to a suspicious person(s) call at Polder Way (Maxham Farms Subdivision). Upon arrival, Officers Rankins, Langford, Mirai, and Recruit Schneider detained three suspects, during the investigation, it was determined that the suspects were entering autos within the subdivision. Officer Benjamin later responded and assisted with the investigation, meeting with victims in the subdivision. During the investigation, it was determined that the entering autos were not isolated just to Maxham Farms Subdivision. Property recovered indicated that there were other locations in Cobb County where entering autos occurred. The incident concluded with three suspects arrested, two handguns recovered (not reported stolen at the time of the incident), and several other items of property recovered.
Stolen Auto Arrest
On 1/16/2022, Evening watch officers responded to a Flock hit for a stolen vehicle, a dark-colored BMW with Maryland license plate 27569CG, coming into the park. They located the vehicle in the very back/bottom part of the parking lot. When the driver and only occupant observed police, he immediately fled on foot into the adjacent soccer field. Officers Meuse, Eustace, and Malagon pursued the driver on foot and were able to catch him and take him into custody. The vehicle was reported stolen 01/15/22 out of Chamblee PD in Georgia.
Cobb County Camera Registry
The Cobb County Police Camera Registration program is a police/community video partnership that operates on a voluntary basis with homeowners, neighborhoods and business owners who own private video surveillance systems. We encourage both businesses and residents to register their cameras online by completing the form below.
This program is intended to let our officers know where cameras are active in the county in case a crime occurs. It is not intended for active surveillance, and officers will not have direct access to homeowners' cameras. Those who register a camera will be contacted if a crime occurs in the vicinity of that camera. Information provided by residents and businesses will be maintained in a secure database.
Fill out our Online Registration Form and find out more about the program.
Police Athletic League
Cobb PAL focuses on juvenile crime prevention through athletic and recreational activities for Cobb County’s high-risk neighborhoods, primarily in South Cobb. There are many ways that you can help, whether it be spreading the word, getting your children involved, volunteering your time and resources or donating money. If you wish to assist this worthwhile program and make a donation, visit Ways to Help.
Sign Up for PENS Bulletins
Please refer your neighbors to sign up for the Police Email Notification System (PENS).
To sign up for the Police Email Notification system please subscribe.
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact us at Precinct2Pens@cobbcounty.org
Detective Lieutenant N. McCreary
Det. Sergeant M. Nerbonne
Detective Sergeant R. Hyatt
4700 Austell Rd
Austell, GA 30106
Precinct2Pens@cobbcounty.org