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Decatur Police issue alerts about fraud, bicycle thefts

Avondale Estates Decatur Metro ATL

Decatur Police issue alerts about fraud, bicycle thefts

W. Ponce De Leon Avenue. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt
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W. Ponce De Leon Avenue. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

W. Ponce De Leon Avenue. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

A scammer claiming to be from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office is demanding people pay a fine for allegedly missing court. There have also been numerous bicycle thefts in the city, police say.

According to Lt. Jennifer Ross, residents should “be aware of a current fraud scam taking place around DeKalb County.”

“The scam involves you receiving a phone call from a person identifying themselves as a deputy with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office,” Ross said. “The scammer will claim that you failed to report for grand jury and are being charged with failure to appear and contempt of court and now owe fines. You will be instructed to use cash to obtain a ‘Pay Pal my cash voucher’ and further be told that if you hang up or do not pay the money that deputies will come to your house and arrest you.”

Ross said a Decatur resident contacted police on Aug. 10 to report receiving a call from the scammer.

“He became suspicious and contacted the DeKalb County Court Jury Division and was told the calls were a scam,” Ross said. “If you receive this type of phone call, notify your local police department.”

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Also, keep an eye on your bikes.

Ross said 16 bicycles have been reported stolen in the city of Decatur from July 1 through Aug. 11. Of those, 10 were stolen during the overnight hours, three were stolen during the day and three were stolen during a period of several days. Ross said 10 went missing from the south side of Decatur and six went missing from the north side.

“The majority of the stolen bicycles were not secured and on residential property,” Ross said. “In four cases, the suspect(s) left behind another bicycle, two of which were determined to be stolen.”

Ross notes that the Police Department will register bikes in front of the Oakhurst Market on Friday, Aug. 14, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“We will also register scooters that do not meet the size requirements for state tag registration,” Ross said. “There is no charge to register your bicycle or scooter.”

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