Crime & Safety

Update: Woman, 52, Held at Gunpoint Was Injured In Attempted Home Invasion Robbery in Forsyth

She managed to call police and escaped the incident with superficial injuries.

Updated 2:30 p.m.

The victim of the home-invasion style armed robbery attempt on Tamiami Trail in Cumming on Tuesday was injured in the incident and transported to a hospital where she was treated and released, Forsyth County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Karleen Chalker said.

The 52-year-old woman was home alone about 3:40 p.m. when a Caucasian female knocked on the door and three African-American men rushed into the single-family home. Chalker said others live in the home, but didn't specify how many or how those persons may be related to the victim.

The victim, who was held at gunpoint, was struck in the stomach and received lacerations to the facial area. During the incident, she was able to make a phone call to another individual, who then called 911, according to Chalker.

Investigators have received information that leads them to believe the home was targeted for a robbery, but Chalker declined to provide additional details, citing the ongoing investigation. Authorities say it's possible the robbers may have known someone who lives in the home.

Chalker said nothing suspicious was found in the home, such as drugs or excessively valuable items.

Some homes on Tamiami Trail sit on the banks of Lake Lanier and appear to somewhat secluded from nearby houses, but Chalker didn't respond to the scene and was unable to say whether the victim's home was isolated or how close it is to the lake.

Authorities are asking anyone who may have seen any unusual or suspicious activity in the area of Pilgrim Mill Road or Tamiami Trail on Tuesday from noon until after the attempted robbery to call investigators. Contact Detective Christian at 678-513-5920 during normal business hours or the the dispatch center after hours at 770-781-3087.

Original Report

Forsyth County authorities are warning residents to call 911 and report suspicious people after a home-invasion style armed robbery attempt on Tamiami Trail, according to a Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Facebook post.

A resident told police a well-dressed woman with blonde hair and blue eyes Tuesday knocked on her west Forsyth door "attempting to sell children’s Bibles" about 3:40 p.m.

"At this point, several suspects forced their way inside the residence in an attempt to commit an armed robbery," according to the sheriff's office. "The suspects fled prior to law enforcement’s arrival in an unknown vehicle in 
an unknown direction of travel."

The victim was held at gunpoint and threatened by the woman and who authorities believe were three African-American men, but managed to call police and escape the incident with superficial injuries, reports Access North Georgia. The would-be robbers left empty handed.

The investigation into the attempted robbery is open and active, but authorities say it appears to be an isolated incident. Authorities think the home off Pilgrim Mill Road was targeted, according to Access North Georgia.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective Christian at 678-513-5920 during normal business hours or the the dispatch center after hours at 770-781-3087.

They're also warning other residents.

"If you ever encounter anyone at your residence who you are not expecting or do not know, always feel free to dial 911 and report a suspicious person and we will respond," the Facebook post says. 

Tell us what you think in the comments, share your photos and videos, and don’t miss any of the local news you care aboutsubscribe to Cumming Patch’s free newsletterlike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.