Robbers with assault weapons hit 3 businesses; police say they'll strike again

ATLANTA — Police are searching for a robbing crew they said tried to hit several businesses overnight.

The crimes happened within minutes of each other in the same neighborhood of Atlanta.

Channel 2's Darryn Moore talked to police early Tuesday morning, after they said a group robbed two convenience stores and tried to rob a third.

The stores are located on Joseph E. Boone Boulevard, Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway and Hollywood Road.

Police said the robbers had assault weapons and wore hoodies, while one wore a surgical mask.

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Two of the three robbers went into the 24-hour Food Mart on Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and took cash while the other stood at the door, police said.

Then, minutes later, investigators said the same group showed up at the West Lake Food Mart on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway.

They robbed the clerk and a customer inside, police said.

Finally, less than a mile away, on Hollywood Road, the same crew went to a 24-hour store and tried to rob it, but the clerk, Bogala Mekraya, fought back.

"The three guys they came in with a gun, they take out their gun on me. I have a gun over there. When I took it out, they immediately ran out," he said.

Channel 2's Tom Regan spoke to Bogala Mekraya about the attempted robbery Tuesday.

Mekraya told Regan he wasn't angry at them, he just wasn't going to let them steal from him. He also showed Regan his permit to have the rifle which he said is a little added insurance when he works the night shift.

In each case, police said the robbers were caught on surveillance video.

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