Spike in robberies in Buckhead

ATLANTA - Police are looking for men responsible for forcibly robbing a man of his Mercedes-Benz early Friday on Piedmont Road in Buckhead.

The victim told officers a group of four or five men, dressed in all black and wearing ski masks, rushed him near an apartment complex and demanded money. When he had no money to give them, they took the keys to his car, according to the incident report obtained by FOX 5.

The crime comes after a string of other robberies in the area. According to data found on the Atlanta Police Department's website, robberies in Zone 2 or up 33 percent compared to this time in 2017. The robberies include strong-arm and armed robberies throughout the business districts and residential areas in Buckhead and surrounding parts.

Officer Stephanie Brown with APD spoke with FOX 5's Marissa Mitchell Monday. She confirmed the spike but stresses the department has placed more police officers on patrol throughout the area. Brown also urged people to remain vigilant and to call police if they have any information regarding crimes.

As for the robbery Friday, Brown told Mitchell police did recover the car over the weekend and made an arrest. They have charged that individual with theft by receiving a stolen auto. However, Brown cautioned it's unclear if the person arrested was actually involved in the crime. Investigators are working to track down everyone responsible and also look into any possible connection to other robberies, Brown added.