Video: Suspects Sought in Norcross-Area Robberies

A suspect or suspects recently have been busy robbing cell phone stores in the Norcross area, and Gwinnett County police want the public's help to nab the culprits. 

There have been at least seven robberies, including six pegged to unincorporated Norcross and one in unincorporated Snellville, according to a press statement from the Gwinnett County Police Department.

Police said the robberies occurred between May 26 and July 24 of this year. 

In each incident, police say one or two black male suspects robbed the stores at gunpoint. At least one of the suspects captured on surveillance video in each case appears to be the same person, said Cpl. Jake Smith, in a press release.

The primary suspect usually produces a handgun from his pants' waist, then orders the employees into a back bathroom or closet, and tells them not to come out until a few minutes have elapsed, officials said. In about two minutes, the robbery is complete.

In the Norcross incident, which occurred at a Metro PCS store on the 5300 block of Jimmy Carter Blvd., the armed robbery happened around 1:10 p.m. July 22.

There were two employees on the sales floor when they heard the suspect enter. The man produced a large-framed silver semi-automatic handgun, walked quickly, and calmly said, "Give me the money," according to one victim. The employee opened the cash register, and the suspect asked them where the safe and phones were. He then told them to walk to the restroom.

The manager came out of the backroom at that time, and the suspect ran out of the business. He took about $500 in cash.

In another Norcross-area incident, reported around 7:30 p.m. June 20, the owner of a Boost Mobile store on the 5200 block of Jimmy Carter Blvd. said that he was about to close shop for the day when he was robbed by two suspects, one of them being armed.

The owner said the man with the gun jumped the front counter and put a gun to his head. After the suspect made demands for money, the victim pointed to the cash he was about the deposit at the bank.

The amount reported stolen was $900. They told the victim to stay in a back office until they left.

The owner said both men were black, between 5'8" and 6', had short black hair, sported sunglasses, and wore long shorts and red shirts. One had facial hair on his chin.

A similar description was given for the July 22nd incident. The victims told police that the single suspect had dark brown skin, was around 5'8', had a goatee, weighed 160 pounds, and wore a white shirt, blue jeans, black sunglasses and a dark blue hat with a white emlem on the front. He also had short curly hair and appeared to be in his late 20s or early 30s.

Anyone with information on this suspect, or this robbery series, should contact Gwinnett County robbery detectives at 770-513-5300. 

You can also contact Crime Stoppers at (404) 557-TIPS, or visit www.crimestoppersatlanta.org.