Crime of the Week

The Decatur Police Department needs your help in solving this week’s crime of the week.

On 01/24/17, at 12:48am, an Armed Robbery occurred at the BP Gas Station, 2185 E. Wood St.

The suspect was described as a black male, 6’ 02” in height, 170 pounds.   He was wearing all black clothing with a black hooded coat and a black and red ski mask covering his face.  The suspect pointed a black handgun at the clerk and took currency from the register and merchandise from the store.   The suspect then took off running from the scene westbound on Wood St.

The Decatur Police Department needs your help in solving this crime.  If you have any information regarding this crime, please call Crime Stoppers at 423-TIPS.  You do not have to give your name.  Crime Stoppers will pay $500 dollars or more for information that leads to an arrest on the crime of the week.  Thank you.

The Decatur Police Department needs your help in solving this week’s crime of the week.

On 01/07/17, at 2:10pm, an Armed Robbery occurred at E Ryan’s Jeweler, 2525 N. Water St.

The suspect was described as a White male, 5’09 in height, 175 pounds, approximately 30-35 years of age.  He was wearing a Red Chicago Blackhawks hat, Black leather coat, black pants and Purple shoes.  The suspect displayed a Silver semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and took jewelry from the counter.  The suspect then fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction.

The Decatur Police Department needs your help in solving this crime.  If you have any information regarding this crime, please call Crime Stoppers at 423-TIPS.  You do not have to give your name.  Crime Stoppers will pay $500 dollars or more for information that leads to an arrest on the crime of the week.  Thank you.

The Decatur Police Department at 707 W. Southside Dr., is reminding citizens of the creation of a “Craigslist and E-Commerce Trade Safe Zone,” for the community.

Recently the police department has had crimes which targeted citizens selling items on Facebook.  Citizens need to be aware of criminals utilizing Facebook, Craigslist and E-Commerce websites, to commit crimes.

The Decatur Police Department is encouraging all citizens to take advantage of our “Safe Zone” created to protect all citizens doing business online.  Citizens can come to the police department lobby or outside the police department under the canopy during normal business hours of 8am-5pm.  It is not recommended citizen’s conduct transactions in the “Safe Zone” after normal business hours, but are free to meet in the “Safe Zone” after normal working hours if the exchange is more convenient for both parties.

A police department is the perfect place to meet after conducting on-line exchanges.  A police department can be utilized for exchanges where citizens are selling or buying any items, from unknown persons.  A police department is manned twenty four hours a day, with lighting and surveillance cameras.  There is a phone in the lobby that citizens can utilize in case of emergencies.  Citizens are urged to read the Craigslist website safety page for recommendations on how to make them safer while conducting transactions.

The Decatur Police Department takes pride in its service and dedication to protecting the public and urges all citizens to “Be Safe.”  Remember, working together we can make the community safer and protected against criminals who prey on unaware citizens.