November 2018

Welcome to the November edition of the Pens Bulletin brought to you by the Cobb County Police Criminal Investigations Unit at Precinct Two.

Public Safety Topic(s) of the Month

Common Safety Tips for ATMs

Withdrawing money at a drive-thru or walk-up ATM is fast and convenient. It’s also an opportunity for criminals to get your cash. The website bankrate.com offers the following safety tips when using an ATM:

1. Always pay close attention to the ATM and your surroundings. Don’t select an ATM at the corner of a building — corners create a blind spot. Use an ATM located near the center of a building. Do your automated banking in a public, well-lighted location that is free of shrubbery and decorative partitions or dividers.
2. Maintain an awareness of your surroundings throughout the entire transaction. Be wary of people trying to help you with ATM transactions. Be aware of anyone sitting in a parked car nearby. When leaving an ATM make sure you are not being followed. If you are, drive immediately to a police or fire station, or to a crowded, well-lighted location or business.
3. Do not use an ATM that appears unusual looking or offers options with which you are not familiar or comfortable.
4. Do not allow people to look over your shoulder as you enter your PIN. Memorize your PIN; never write it on the back of your card. Do not re-enter your PIN if the ATM eats your card — contact a bank official.
5. Do not wear expensive jewelry or take other valuables to the ATM. This is an added incentive to the assailant.
6. Never count cash at the machine or in public. Wait until you are in your car or another secure place.
7. When using a drive-up ATM, keep your engine running, your doors locked and leave enough room to maneuver between your car and the one ahead of you in the drive-up line.
8. Maintain a supply of deposit envelopes at home or in your car. Prepare all transaction paperwork prior to your arrival at the ATM. This will minimize the amount of time spent at the machine.
9. Closely monitor your bank statements, as well as your balances, and immediately report any problems to your bank.
10. If you are involved in a confrontation with an assailant who demands your money, COMPLY.

Source: The Electronic Funds Transfer Association, and the Los Angeles Police Department.

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.

Your Heroes at Work

Terroristic Acts/Damage to Property/Suspects Apprehended

Precinct 2 officers were dispatched to Pine Bluff Court in reference to 4 subjects in a silver Chevrolet Cruze with front end damage and right rear quarter panel damage, shooting paint balls at the victim while they were inside the vehicle. The subjects left the area and the victim followed them to a dead-end street where the subjects elected not to run on foot, due to the victim possibly knowing them vaguely from church. Officers arrived on scene and made contact with and identified the four suspects. The officers also observed in plain view the following inside the vehicle: 2 paint ball guns with light blue paint balls; 2 aluminum baseball bats; one “Jason” mask; and one airsoft revolver style pistol. The suspect vehicle and the items observed in plain view inside of the vehicle coincided with NUMEROUS damage to property reports in Precinct 2 and 3 wherein suspects were smashing vehicle windshields with baseball bats and shooting property with paint balls over the span of several weeks. The suspects were brought back to the precinct and were interviewed by detectives. Detectives also obtained a search warrant to seize the evidence contained in the vehicle. Following the interviews, the suspects were charged and dozens of cases were cleared by arrest.

False Imprisonment

On 11/03/2018 at 00:40 Precinct 2 Officers were dispatched to an apartment complex on Riverside Pkwy. Dispatch advised that a woman was locked in a bedroom against her will by a man in an unknown apartment. Latitude and Longitude showed her on Riverside pkwy and the victim stated that she could see the QT from her window. Being knowledgeable of the area, officers were able to identify the correct apartment complex. While dispatch was attempting to ping the phone, one of the responding officers advised radio to tell the woman to wave her lit phone out of the window so he could locate her. When officers located the apartment they saw the male suspect close the blinds in the bedroom and turn off the lights. They immediately went to the front door and kicked it in after there was no response to their knocking. The victim stated that she had come over and the male had attempted to remove her clothing against her will. The suspect was arrested and charged with False Imprisonment and Possession of Cocaine.

Armed Robbery Suspect in Custody

On 11/08/2018 Pct 2 officers were dispatched to the Village Mobile Home Park. The complainant reported that 3 black males, who had been involved in the shooting of her boyfriend on Saturday 11/03/2018, had been seen walking back and forth on the street in front of her residence.  The complainant showed officers a photograph of the suspects she had taken on her cell phone as they walked by her home. While canvassing the area, officers located one of the males at a nearby residence. The male identified himself and was immediately recognized as a suspect in the recent armed robbery of a student at Pebble Brook High School. Officers were also aware that the suspect reportedly had an active arrest warrant pending in Newton County.  After the warrant was confirmed, the suspect was taken into custody and transported to the Crimes Against Persons office to be interviewed.  During his interview the suspect confessed to being involved in several crimes under investigation in Cobb County. The suspect also identified his co-conspirator.

These are only a few examples that demonstrate the hard work and professionalism exhibited by the officers of Precinct 2 on a daily basis.

Community Affairs Officers for Precinct 2

Officer Penirelli and Officer Conwell are assigned as the Community Affairs officers serving the community in 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 help foster a strong working relationship between the Department and the community it serves. Officers work with homeowners 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.

If you have a concern effecting your area or would like more information regarding this unit, please contact Officer Penirelli or Conwell.

Officers Penirelli, and Conwell can be reached via email at APenirelli@cobbcounty.org and James.Conwell@cobbcounty.org.

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.

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If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact us at Precinct2Pens@cobbcounty.org

Thank you for your participation.

Lieutenant M.T. Brown - Precinct 2 Criminal Investigations Unit
Sergeant M. Nerbonne - Precinct 2 Criminal Investigations Unit (Day) 
Sergeant K. Clausen - Precinct 2 Criminal Investigations Unit (Evenings)