Published Thursday, November 19, 2009

Schools continue search for thief

By Elizabeth Melville

The Newnan Times-Herald

Authorities continue their hunt for the suspect believed responsible for several thefts that occurred at six Coweta County schools last week.

The thefts occurred Nov. 11-13 at Canongate Elementary, White Oak Elementary School, Arnall Middle School, Welch Elementary, Newnan Crossing Elementary and Arnco-Sargent Elementary School, according to Major James Yarbrough of the Coweta County Sheriff's Office. Four of the thefts were in the county and two were in the city of Newnan and are now under investigation by the Newnan Police Department.

Investigators now believe that it was a woman who entered the elementary and middle schools after school hours and rummaged through classrooms and personal belongings looking for cash. Witnesses describe the suspect as a woman in her early 20s and about 5 feet 6 inches tall. She appeared to weigh between 130 and 140 pounds. She is described as having shoulder-length wavy, brown hair, according to Yarbrough.

Marla Lawson, the forensic artist for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, met with witnesses this week to produce a rendering of the alleged perpetrator. Views with the woman's hair free and with it pulled back are being disseminated in hopes of identifying the culprit.

Coweta County School System Superintendent Blake Bass has talked to the principals and sent an e-mail to all school employees advising them to be careful with their personal property.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect can call Inv. Tonya Kidner or Major Yarbrough at 770-253-1502. Information can also be passed along to the city via the Newnan Police Department tip line, 770-254-2350, or main number, 770-254-2355.