Jan. 31, 2013 – After the string of purse snatching this month, the Gainesville Police Department is investigating the multiple reports in the Gainesville area.

According to police, the thefts started the first weekend of January, but “don’t seem to be centralized to any group or individual.”

According to the Times, the latest was Friday night in the parking lot of Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
Hospital spokesman Sean Couch confirmed.

Cpl. Joe Britte says people walking to their cars at night should be especially careful.

He said, “It’s all about being vigilant,” he said. “Call a security escort if you need to.”

However, the crimes involved different people, locations and times of day, police noted — two of the robberies happened in broad daylight.

Jan. 18, on a Friday afternoon at the intersection of Central Avenue and Hazel Street, a pedestrian was robbed at gunpoint.

The next day, a pedestrian was robbed at the same intersection, although the suspect descriptions didn’t match, police reported.

If you know anything about these thefts, Police ask anyone with information regarding the incidents to contact the Gainesville Police Department at 770-534-5254, or the Tips Line at 770-533-5873.