Atlanta robbers targeting targets on gay dating application, authorities warn

Atlanta robbers targeting targets on gay dating application, authorities warn

They met a person on a prominent dating app, began talking and at some point accepted go out. After that the innocent targets were burglarized by that person and hijacked at gunpoint on their initial dates.

Authorities are advising members of Atlanta's LGBT area to stay mindful following a string of burglaries that started as conversations on the preferred gay dating application Grindr. Investigators said numerous guys have been burglarized in current months as well as think there might be extra targets that have not come forward.

At a news conference Wednesday, Atlanta authorities said they  have actually recognized a minimum of eight people that were held up under similar situations because February, calling it "a really concerning pattern."

The men generally introduce themselves on Grindr prior to chatting up their victims, getting their telephone number and also taking the conversations offline. Eventually, they ask out.

"From February to May, we have had eight instances where male sufferers were drawn to remote locations by use of the Grindr application," claimed Sgt. Rodney Jones, that works in APD's robbery system. "After the date concludes, the suspect will burglarize the sufferer, typically taking their wallets, secrets or even cars."

Late last month, one man stated he was hijacked by a person he met on the app after getting the suspect as well as driving him to an location off Hightower Roadway. Shortly after they arrived, however, his day pulled out a weapon and also informed him: " Provide me the car as well as every little thing you got."

The suspect after that repelled in the target's auto, authorities claimed. The lorry was later on recovered, but private investigators are still attempting to figure out who is responsible for the string of break-ins.

Most of the incidents have actually occurred in northwest Atlanta, however some have occurred in Zone 3 in the city's southeastern quadrant, authorities stated. The sufferers are normally enticed to remote locations after their dates and afterwards robbed.

"The person generally has a hand gun," Jones stated. "They're on a regular day, and also after the day concludes they'll just burglarize the person of their possessions."

Cops believe someone is in charge of most of the robberies in Zone 1 and also claimed extra suspects are most likely associated with the Zone 3 heists. Investigators stated they have actually connected multiple burglaries to a certain Grindr account, however decreased to clarify at Wednesday's news conference, mentioning the continuous examination.

Officer Eric King, the department's LGBT liaison, said there are several points people can do to safeguard themselves when satisfying someone for the very first time.

"Find a companion or a pal that you trust that you can alert when you're mosting likely to satisfy someone," King claimed. "Meet at a grocery store. Meet at a public location before you reunite someplace a lot more intimate."

If someone declines to FaceTime before a very first day or demands conference in an isolated location, it may be a configuration. King said residents are still motivated to day online and set about their lives. He simply desires them to be much more cautious.

Anybody with info about the suspects, consisting of those who might have been burglarized on a recent day, is asked to call Atlanta police. For sufferers that might be reluctant concerning coming forward, King said policemans agree to find to them.

"We treat everyone with self-respect," Maj. D'Andrea Cost stated. "We want to stop these criminal activities that (are) being done to our sometimes at risk population."

Tipsters can remain anonymous, and also be eligible for rewards of approximately $2,000, by calling Criminal activity Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, texting details to 274637 or checking out the Crime Stoppers site.

Keep in mind: Atlanta authorities stated 2 images that were launched as well as consisted of in earlier variations of this tale were not of the suspects.