Police: So-Called Helpers Turn on Out-of-Town Visitor And Steal from His Car

An Athens Clarke County Police officer met with a man from Birmingham, AL, who told him that he had been walking on Lumpkin Street, looking for his vehicle. Near the Hull Street intersection, he was approached by two black men.

He said they walked with him and helped him find his vehicle behind the Chamber of Commerce Building on Hancock. As they approached the vehicle, one of the men grabbed him and threw him to the ground. The man held him down while the other man went through his pockets.

The Birmingham man said the suspect removed his keys from his pocket and entered his vehicle. The suspect took from the car a jacket, passport, keys, and cellphone. These items were valued at $420.

The suspects then fled on foot.

The Birmingham man said he chased them to Pulaski and Hancock Avenue and lost contact with them. The jacket was recovered when the suspect dropped it as he ran.

The suspects were described as being in their early 20’s with close cut hair. One possibly wore a blue, long-sleeve shirt or hoodie; the other wore a green long-sleeve shirt or jacket. The man sustained scrapes on his elbow and face but did not seek medical treatment.

This occurred around 3:30am on November 1.