Atlanta

Police searching for armed robber targeting Midtown, Buckhead apartment complexes

ATLANTA — Police are trying to identify a man who they say has robbed at least eight people at gunpoint at their Buckhead and Midtown apartment complexes in the last month.

Channel 2's Tyisha Fernandes spoke to police, who said the robber struck as recently as last week. The robberies started Oct. 21 and have spanned five separate apartment complexes.

Police said several victims walked out of their buildings and the man pointed a gun in their faces. One woman who tried to run was pistol whipped.

The robberies happened near several prominent local landmarks, including the Fox Theater, the Shepherd Center and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). The complexes include the Allure Complex on Peachtree Valley Road and the 1660 Luxury Apartments on Peachtree Street.

Police said the man has been captured on surveillance video but they are still working to learn who he is. They told Fernandes they were not ready to release the footage yet.

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Police said the victims all have one thing in common: They are on their cell phones when the gunman caught them by surprise. In many case, the gunman asked victims for a lighter before shoving a gun in their faces.

Police are wondering how the gunman is getting into the gated complexes. Two of the robberies happened in elevators.

The Allure resident Stephanie Halpern said she thinks she know how he may have gotten in.

"I wonder if people are just tailgating each other," Halpern said. "I don't know. I think it happens quite a bit."

Halpern said she does not walk her dog late at night anymore and she's scared to come in and out of her apartment late.

Fernandes spoke to one apartment manager, who said the have added more security cameras around the entire complex and stepped up patrols.

The 1660 Luxury Apartments are near SCAD and home to many students, so school officials are also now on high alert.

None of the victims wanted to comment for this story on camera.