Regional Roundup: Robbery Suspect at Large, Peeping Tom on Film, and an Athens Post Office Facility to Close

-- Loganville-Grayson Patch

Rufus Jerome Smith, a 25-year-old black male, is wanted for aggravated assault, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, according to public information officer Cpl. Jake Smith. 

Smith is believed to be responsible for eight armed robberies in Gwinnett County.  He has primarily targeted gas stations and convenience stores in the northern part of the county (near Buford and Suwanee). 

He is about 6” tall and about 180 lbs.  He has a tattoo of the word “MAN” on his right shoulder.

Smith fired shots from a handgun during two of these robberies; however, no one was injured. 

He should be considered armed and dangerous.  Anyone encountering Smith should call 911. 

Anyone with information for detectives should call 770-513-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 770-577-TIPS.

– Cartersville Patch

 investigators say an Acworth woman was "shocked" to find evidence of a peeping tom on video footage captured by her home surveillance system.

The 50-year-old Lake Shore Circle woman on May 10 reported a previous trespassing incident. She was reviewing the video in connection to that case when she spotted the suspected peeping tom (see photo).

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect is asked to call the Criminal Investigations Division at 770-382-5050, extension 6032.

-- Athens Patch

The United States Postal Service has announced that it will close nearly 250 post offices in the near future as part of a multi-billion dollar cost-cutting plan, including in Athens.

“Given that the Postal Service is currently projecting a $14 billion net loss in FY2012, and continuing annual losses of this magnitude, we simply cannot justify maintaining our current mail processing footprint,” Patrick R. Donahoe, Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer of the Postal Service, said in a news release. 

The Olympic Drive facility is scheduled to close, but the exact date has not been determined. The process will happen in phases to avoid chaos during the busy election and holiday seasons, with 48 centers closing this August and 90 closing next January and February. 

Much of the Olympic Drive postal activity will now be routed to a processing center located in Duluth. Many postal workers will be transferred to nearby facilities, and it is unclear how many will lose their jobs.