Police warn of cell phone thefts in Decatur

Two children were attacked and robbed in the middle of the day and police said the crooks were after their cell phones.

Both robberies happened in the city of Decatur. One victim was 13 and the other, just 11 years old.

Police believe this is a case of big kids stealing from little kids. The robbers are described as being in their late teens, possibly around 18 years old. Police said the teens are running up in broad daylight and snatching the phones of younger children.

Both incidents happened this past Monday. The first one was just after 4 p.m. in the 200 block of Ponce De Leon Place. One of the teens punched the younger child in the stomach, the other kicked him in his leg before one of them grabbed the cell phone from his hand.

Less than 15 minutes later, up the road near the old courthouse on the square, a man run behind an 11-year-old and snatched his phone.

Because of proximity, investigators do think they are connected. Authorities are following up on potential leads.