ATF Offers $5,000 Reward For Information On Store Robberies

Investigators Seek Public's Help in Solving Crimes

GWINNETT, Ga., Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An unidentified black male has robbed eight cellular telephone stores at gunpoint between May and October of this year. Seven of the robberies have occurred in South Gwinnett County on Jimmy Carter Boulevard, while the eighth occurred in Snellville, Ga. 

"It goes without saying this individual has little to no regard for the safety and welfare of others," said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division Scott Sweetow. "This brazen display of reckless abandon for the law continues to drive the mission of ATF as the violent crime bureau. We will see to it these criminals are removed from our streets so that our communities can remain a safe place to live and prosper."

The robberies typically occur in the early afternoon and the suspect sometimes brings an accomplice.  Each incident occurs in a strong-armed fashion where the suspect enters the store brandishing a firearm, demands that employees open the cash register and then orders the employees into the rear area of the business. During every robbery, the suspect produces a handgun.

From the onset of the robberies, detectives with the Gwinnett County Police Department along with agents from the ATF have combed through all available leads. Unfortunately, the evidence gathered has led to few viable leads which prompted ATF to offer a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the responsible individual(s). 

ATF and the Gwinnett County Police Department are seeking the public's assistance in identifying those responsible.  Anyone with information is encouraged to call ATF at (404) 456-6684 or call the ATF Hotline at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (800-283-4867). Callers can remain anonymous.

More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.

Contact: Special Agent Richard Coes, PIO
Cell: (404) 931-0988

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives