A spate of robberies

By Malynda Fulton

May 16, 2008 08:06 pm

— VALDOSTA — It was a busy day in Valdosta as nearly simultaneously, two armed men committed crimes, and both suspects remain at large, considered armed and dangerous.
The Bank of Valdosta was robbed at gunpoint Thursday morning at approximately 9:20 a.m., while across town less than 30 minutes later, an armed robbery attempt occurred in the parking lot of the Save-a-Lot on Madison Highway.
In the bank robbery, a man displaying a handgun entered the bank on Woodrow Wilson Dr. and demanded money, according to Valdosta police. After taking an undetermined amount of cash, the offender fled on foot, traveling south of the bank. Police advise citizens to remain on the lookout for a heavyset male, possibly Hispanic.
Across town at approximately 9:55 a.m., a Save-a-Lot employee was exiting her vehicle in the store’s parking lot when a black male approached her and demanded money, according to Valdosta police. The offender then displayed a handgun and fired a round into the air.
Authorities did not disclose whether the offender took any money from the victim; however, the offender fled the scene on foot shortly after the incident. He was last seen running behind Save-a-Lot.
At press time Thursday, Valdosta detectives and K-9 units were working the scene. This incident is believed to have no relation to the armed robbery of Bank of Valdosta.
Valdosta police advise citizens to remain on the lookout for a black male in his early 20s with a slender build and short, curly hair.
Officers from the Valdosta Police Department, Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and Valdosta State Prison responded to the scenes, but attempts to locate the suspects were unsuccessful.
Anyone with information about the robbery or anyone who may know the whereabouts of the suspect is urged to contact the VPD Bureau of Investigation at (229) 293-3145 or call the 24-hour Crime Tip Line at (229) 293-3091 to remain anonymous.

• Man robbed at gunpoint in Valdosta

VALDOSTA — A person was robbed at gunpoint on Jones Street Thursday morning.
At approximately 9:30 a.m., the victim was working on a vacant residence in the 500 block of Jones Street when two black males approached the residence and demanded several items, according to Valdosta police. Both offenders had handguns.
After taking an undisclosed number of items, the offenders left the area on foot.
At the time of the robbery, the first suspect, said to be about 5 feet 10 inches tall, was wearing a ball cap. The suspect was also described as light-skinned with a slender build. The second offender was said to be around the same height and build with a medium afro and dark skin tone. Both offenders appeared to be in their late teens or early twenties.
At this time, the incident does not appear to be related to the attempted robbery in the parking lot of Save-a-Lot or the armed robbery at Bank of Valdosta.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the VPD Bureau of Investigation at (229) 293-3145 or the anonymous tip line at (229) 293-3091.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.