Gwinnett Robbery Victims Fear Deportation

NORCROSS, Ga. - A rash of robberies has been plaguing a Norcross neighborhood. Police say many of the victims haven't even reported the crime.

A trail that runs through the woods at the Norcross apartment complex along Jimmy Carter Boulevard is a busy place. Police say it's one area where in the last two months, nine Hispanic victims carrying cash have been robbed.

Gwinnett County police tell Georgia Newsday they're conceed because apparently a lot of the victims have not come forward to report the crimes since many might be in this country illegally, and fear they could wind up at the Gwinnett County Jail, where they know they could be deported.

Corporal Edwin Ritter says the jail deports illegal immigrants under the 287-g program administered through federal authorities. He says Gwinnett police are not authorized or interested in checking immigration status.

”We don't care about that, Corporal Edwin Ritter explained. ”We care about them being victimized and we want to help them out.

But many remain skeptical of the police promise that victims won't be deported. Some say they’re still afraid to inform authorities when they’re victimized because of the threat of deportation.

Police say two black men with the help of a Latino for translation are believed to be responsible for the robberies.