Crime & Safety

Charges Pending in Accident That Killed Cobb Woman; Cherokee's New Concern: Heroin

An Atlanta Police Officer has been charged with 2nd degree vehicular homicide; an apologetic armed robber victimized a female construction worker near the Georgia Tech campus—read some of the day's top headlines from around metro Atlanta.

Charges Still Pending in Accident That Killed Smyrna Woman

A representative from Georgia State Patrol said charges are still pending as officers continue to investigate a

Michelle Chinnis, 35, of Smyrna was driving her Nissan Sentra on a sales call with her co-worker Tracy Downer, 44, of Atlanta when the car was struck on the driver’s side by a tractor trailer. Some witnesses have reported that .

Chinnis died after being extricated from the vehicle and Downer was pronounced dead at the scene.

Find out what's happening in Mariettawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Armed Robber Hugs It Out Near Tech Square

According to the Atlanta police, an apologetic armed robber victimized a female construction worker early Wednesday morning in yet another crime on or near the Georgia Tech campus.

Find out what's happening in Mariettawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The woman reported that she was walking along Williams and 8th streets on her way to the Georgia Tech basketball coliseum construction site when she was approached from behind by a male. After taking her cell phone and $60 in cash, the suspect gave her “three hugs” and “continued to apologize” before fleeing on foot.

The alleged incident comes just two days before Atlanta City Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell prepares to lead the inaugural meeting of the Campus Safety Task Force on Friday. Mitchell recently announced the formation of the 30-day task force to address the trend of crime on college campuses.

Cherokee's New Concern: Heroin

In recent years, authorities have ramped up efforts to tackle prescription drug abuse in Georgia. But local officials said suburbs like Cherokee have a new problem on their hands.

It's heroin, a drug "previously known as an urban drug," said Lt. Jay Baker, spokesman for the .

Today, Baker announced a first. Agents with the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad on Tuesday arrested and charged two men with trafficking in heroin in Holly Springs.

APD Officer Charged for Car Accident That Killed Atlanta Woman

According to CBS and APD reports, Joshua Sieck has been charged with 2nd degree vehicular homicide because of his patrol car running into Jacqueline Culp's BMW and causing her death.

CBS Atlanta is reporting that, "Joshua Sieck was running an emergency call when the crash happened just before 5 p.m. on July 21."

Read more on Cascade Patch.

Gas Leak Causes Traffic Nightmare Near Emory

Commuters in the area fought through hours of gridlock Thursday afternoon after a gas leak caused emergency crews to close portions of North Decatur Road.

A gas company told WSBTV a contractor cut a 2-inch plastic gas main on North Decatur Road around noon.

North Decatur Road — a main road that connects the Emory University campus to surrounding neighborhoods and shopping centers — was closed from Clairmont Road to Druid Hills High School, located off Haygood Drive.


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