Media Advisory – Recent Robberies
March 19, 2012

Contact:
Eric Dellinger (706) 542-5813
Chief Jimmy Williamson (706) 542-5813

Over the past few weeks the Athens-Clarke County Police have received reports of five robberies in and around the downtown Athens Area.  The reported incidents have occurred between the hours of midnight and 4:00 a.m.  While police in the area are conducting frequent patrols, we would ask that all visitors to the area take steps to ensure their personal safety.

The following personal safety strategies are recommended for anyone, regardless of when and where they may travel in the area:
-    Always travel in groups when possible
-    Always be aware of your surroundings
-    Always travel in well-lit areas when possible
-    Never display cash or other valuables in public
-    If consuming alcohol, consume responsibly and moderately
-    Report suspicious activity or individuals to law enforcement immediately

If you have been the victim of a crime or have information about any criminal incidents that may or may not have been reported to law enforcement, you are encouraged to contact the UGA or Athens-Clarke County Police Departments as soon as possible.

University of Georgia Police Department

TIMELY WARNING

August 4, 2011

Contact:

Eric Dellinger (706) 542-5813

Jimmy Williamson (706) 542-5813

KIDNAPPING

On March 21, 2011, an assault was reported to have occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. in the area of South Milledge Avenue near Fairfax Hall adjacent to the Rogers Road Family Housing area.  The perpetrator in this incident, described as a clean cut black male, approximately 5’8” tall, average build, late 20’s to early 30’s in age, with a bald head, has not been identified.

On 08/03/11 at approximately 11:02 p.m. the Athens-Clarke County Police Department received a report of a kidnapping incident that occurred earlier that evening near the intersection of South Milledge Avenue and South Milledge Drive at approximately 9:15 p.m.  The victim reported that she was approached by a thin black male with a short hair cut wearing jean pants, grabbed on the arm and forced to walk with him for a short distance.  The victim eventually managed to get away from the suspect and report the incident.

The suspect descriptions, mode of operation and areas of occurrence are very similar in both of these incidents.

The University of Georgia Police Department urges all individuals, whether in these areas or elsewhere, to be extremely cautious of their surroundings.  Traveling in groups is always preferable if it is an option, especially during night time hours and in less populated areas.  However, individuals who are inclined to assault or victimize others are not bound by any geographical or time constraints.  Please use caution and notify law enforcement immediately if you observe suspicious activity.

Anyone who may have information regarding these incidents or the identity of either of these suspects is asked to contact the Athens-Clarke County Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 706-613-3337.

University of Georgia Police Department

TIMELY WARNING – UPDATE

March 22, 2011

Contact:

Eric Dellinger (706) 542-5813

Chief Jimmy Williamson (706) 542-5813

The University of Georgia Police Department wishes to inform all faculty, staff and students that the Athens-Clarke County Police have concluded their investigation of the crime scene involved in the Sycamore Drive area.  This area has been released by law enforcement officials and normal activities in the Sycamore Drive and Epps Bridge Parkway areas may be resumed at this time.

University of Georgia Police Department

TIMELY WARNING

March 22, 2011

Contact:

Eric Dellinger (706) 542-5813

Chief Jimmy Williamson (706) 542-5813

ACCPD SEARCHING FOR SHOOTING SUSPECTS

The University of Georgia Police Department urges all faculty, staff and students to avoid the Atlanta Highway in the area of Sycamore Drive and the Epps Bridge Parkway area.  Athens-Clarke County Police Officers are currently searching for suspects involved in the shooting of two Athens-Clarke County Police Officers earlier this afternoon.  Any faculty, staff or students who may reside in these areas are asked to remain in their homes with the doors locked until further notice.

University of Georgia Police Department

TIMELY WARNING -March 21, 2011

Contact:
Eric Dellinger (706) 542-5813
Chief Jimmy Williamson (706) 542-5813

ASSAULT

The University of Georgia Police Department wishes to notify the University of Georgia and surrounding communities of an assault that occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. on March 21, 2011.  The assault occurred in the area of South Milledge Avenue at Fairfax Hall, adjacent to the Rogers Road Family Housing area.

The victim was assaulted by a black male described as approximately 5’8” tall, average build, late 20’s to early 30’s in age, with a bald head and clean cut.  The suspect was described as neatly dressed, wearing a tan plaid button up shirt and khaki pants.

At the time of the attack, the victim screamed for assistance which caused a nearby resident to come to her aid the suspect to flee the scene toward the area of Milledge Avenue and the GA 10 Loop bypass.

Anyone who may have information regarding this incident or the identity of this suspect is asked to contact the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and speak with Det. Will Frisch at (706) 613-3888 (ext. 799) or Sgt. Dustin Smith (ext. 795).

On the morning of October 3, 2009, the University of Georgia Police Department received a report of Armed Robbery.  A student and two visitors reported being robbed at gun point in an Athens Housing Authority parking lot on Broad Street across from Pulaski Street.  The suspects were described as three to five black males.  One individual was described as having short facial hair on the chin and one was described as having his face partially covered from the nose down.  This incident is currently under investigation.

Update 2009/05/11: George Zinkhan’s body was found Saturday May 9th 2009.The Athens-Clarke County Police Department is continuing their investigation.

George Zinkhan

UGA Professor George Zinkhan is wanted in connection with the murder of three people on April 25, 2009 in downtown Athens. See the Athens-Clarke County Police Department website for more information.

George Zinkhan - Closeup

George Zinkhan - Profile

George Zinkhan - Altered to approximate possible change in appearance.

George Zinkhan - Another altered photo showing possible change in appearance.

George Zinkhan - Possible altered appearance sketch 1

George Zinkhan - Possible altered appearance sketch 2

MURDER/ARMED ROBBERY

Wednesday, December 05 at approximately 3:25 AM, Athens-Clarke County Police Officers responded to an Armed Robbery at Lays Shell Station on the corner of Lexington Road and Gaines School Road. Upon arrival, Officers discovered a Murder/ Armed Robbery had occurred. ACCPD Detectives and the GBI Special Agents are currently conducting a thorough investigation. At this time Forensic Units from both Agencies are on the scene. The victim has been transported to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Authorities are releasing a portion of the store’s surveillance video. Both Agencies are requesting the Public’s assistance in identifying the suspect or any additional information concerning this crime. A GBI forensic sketch artist has begun work on a sketch of the suspect. That sketch will be released upon completion.
The suspect is as a Black Male, approximately 5’9”-5’10”, wearing what appeared to be a dark hooded sweatshirt, a dark colored mask covering the lower portion of his face, pants and dark shoes.
An image and description of the suspect can be found on the Athens-Clarke County Police Department’s website, www.accpd.org, the Athens-Clarke County website, www.athensclarkecounty.com, ACTV, channel 7 on Charter Cable and on-line at www.athensclarkecounty.com/videos, and on Newsource 15, the University of Georgia’s TV Station.

If you have any information, please contact Det. Chuck Ivey, ACCPD, at 706-613-3888 Ext. 337 or GBI Special Agent Rebecca Shaw at the GBI Tip Line 1-800-597-8477.

murder-armed-robbery-120507.pdf

At approximately 3:00 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, August 19, 2007, an argument ensued between individuals who were known to each other. The argument took place in the NO3 Lot at the corner of Oconee Street and Thomas Street. Sometime during the argument a physical fight broke out. After the fight ended it was determined that one of the persons involved had suffered stab wounds. We would like to remind all students, faculty and staff that whenever they are out on campus or out in the community, whether in Athens or elsewhere, and find themselves in a confrontational situation to please contact the local law enforcement authorities rather than attempt to handle the situation themselves. The case is currently under investigation by the University of Georgia and Athens Clarke County Police Departments.

This is to inform the University of Georgia community of a public safety matter as required by the Clery Act. Based on statements made by a student to a faculty member on Monday, April 30, the faculty member was led to believe the student could be a threat to the student’s own safety or that of others. University of Georgia Police executed a search warrant Monday evening at the residence of the student, Brandon Ginyard, 27, an MBA student who lives at 211 North Avenue, Apt. 1317, Athens. Ginyard confronted officers with a handgun but was disarmed and taken into custody under a court order requiring that he submit to mental evaluation. Pending the determination of whether he will be held for further mental treatment, he also will face two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer.