Residents concerned by armed robberies near DeKalb Co. park

DECATUR, Ga. — A neighborhood is on high alert after a series of armed robberies. Several of them occurred in a park crowded with children.

The city of Decatur police told Channel 2 Action News a woman was carjacked by a 15-year-old. County workers saw the whole thing and help police tracked down the carjacker.

The incident ended just blocks from Oakhurst Park. The carjacker hit an old tree and flipped the car. No one else was on board.

Many of the victims were mothers with their small children at the park. Police said three people approached three different victims asking for cash or cellphones.

One of the robbers rummaged through a mother's baby stroller looking for valuables. Another victim refused to give up her cellphone. The robber then brandished a weapon and fired a shot into the air.

"When you're dealing with the criminal element, in many of these suspects appear to be young people you never know with their going to do and that can be dangerous," Deputy Police Chief Keith Lee said.

Lee said victims should not fight assailants.

Susan Cannon lives in the Oakhurst District and told Channel 2's Dave Huddleston everyone is talking about the recent crimes.

"I started not to come to the park but then I thought, 'They (the criminals) would win,' so I brought my children. I was glad to see officers patrolling once we got here," Cannon said.

Huddleston saw several police officers patrolling in and around Oakhurst Park.

Lee said they will have a heavy police presence in the area for days to come.

"It's the officers undercover that you won't see that will help catch these guys," Lee said.

Police are still looking for three thieves.

WSBTV