By Jamie Gumbrecht
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ATLANTA — Weeks have passed since the last robbery attributed to the Blue Jean Bandits, but Atlanta police are using a new tactic to find suspects: advertising.
Two donated billboards are expected to go up next week at intersections of Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard and Metropolitan Parkway in Adair Park and University Avenue and Hank Aaron Drive in Peoplestown.
“Stop the Blue Jean Bandits,” they say, and offer rewards up to $2,000 for anonymous tips.
Atlanta police Sgt. Archie Ezell says they’ll also try to pool cash from retailers to purchase more billboards. Atlanta police have made 20 arrests, and plan to place the billboards in areas where they’ve found suspects already. Tips have come in from mothers and girlfriends, Ezell says, and they’re hoping the signs will draw more attention to suspects “where they lay their heads at night.”
The Blue Jean Bandits got the nickname after dozens of clothing thefts at departments stores and high-end boutiques starting in 2007. More than $1 million in merchandise has been stolen, according to Atlanta police reports, and the crimes have extended out into Decatur, Dawsonville and other metro areas.
Copyright 2008 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution