Police release second sketch in East Atlanta robberies

ATLANTA — Police have released a new sketch as they work to solve a pair of robberies and deadly shooting in the East Atlanta Village area.

A $25,000 reward is now being offered for information leading to the suspects. 

The new sketch released Monday is the second suspect in a pair of robberies that happened within 10 minutes of each other on Kirkwood Avenue on May 25.

"Investigators are now linking the homicide and these two robberies, hence these individuals to all three crimes," Sgt. Greg Lyon said.

In the first robbery, a man said he was out for a run when a teenage black male approached him with a gun and stole his iPhone. The suspect got into a dark-colored SUV and drove off.

The second robbery happened three blocks way. A couple from North Carolina told officers they were walking from a friend's house to a bar when a teenager approached them and said, "Give me the cash," according to the police report.

The suspect fired a gunshot into the air when the woman tried to talk him out of committing the robbery. He took their wallets and jumped into a dark-colored sedan at the corner of Kirkwood and Pearl Street, police said.

Investigators told Channel 2's Ryan Young they are now convinced that both of these robberies are related to a murder in the same area on the same night.

Patrick Cotrona, 33, was shot and killed at the former of Flat Shoals Road and May Avenue while he walked home with a friend. His friend was also shot and robbed.

Police have stepped up patrols in the area and the Grant Park Neighborhood Association has contributed to the Crime Stoppers reward.

If you have any information about this case, please call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.

WSBTV